2023-2024 Awana Kids' Club Parent Information

Awana Kids' Club

• Thursday evenings
• from 6:20-8:00 pm
• September-May
• for kids from age 3 to grade 6
• at Seneca Community Church in Romulus, NY

Come join the fun!

For more info or with questions, email awana@senecacommunitychurch.com.

Optional pre-registration here.

 

What is Awana?  

Awana is an acronym that stands for “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.”  This phrase comes from our Awana key verse, 2 Timothy 2:15:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved unto God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

The goal of Awana is to “Reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ, and train them to serve Him.”  In other words, we want to lead children into a growing relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   

Your kids will have lots of fun interacting with other kids and their leaders!

Awana Kids' Club at Seneca Community Church is completely free for children to attend.

 

What happens at Awana?    

Awana Club meetings are divided into three parts:

• Large Group Time – a great time of singing and learning from Bible-based teaching
• Game Time – fun and exciting games designed to develop team spirit, good sportsmanship, and self-confidence
• Small Group Time – Children interact with their leaders one-on-one or in a small group setting.  Kids and leaders use this time to discuss material from the handbook and recite memorized Bible verses.

 

What groups are children in at Awana?

 

Cubbies 

• Cubbies is for 3 – 5 year olds (should be 3 by December 1st).  
• The mascot for Cubbies is a bear named “Cubbie.”
• The Cubbies program celebrates the spiritual potential of preschoolers by helping them develop respect for God, His Son Jesus, and the Bible. 

 

Sparks

• Sparks is for children in grades K - 2.
• Children in Sparks are called “Sparkies.”  The mascot for Sparks is a firefly named “Sparky.”
• In Sparks, children learn how to be “sparks” for Jesus in the world and let their light shine for Him.  The Sparks program ignites the curiosity of early elementary-age kids to learn about the people and events of the Bible, building a foundation of wisdom for knowing Jesus.

 

T&T 

• T&T is for children in grades 3 - 6 (AKA the coolest, oldest kids at Awana).
• T&T stands for “Truth & Training” and children in T&T are called “T&T’ers.”
• T&T engages third- through sixth-graders by answering their questions about God and the Bible and guiding them through this pivotal life stage to grow in the love and grace of Jesus.

What are the handbooks?

Awana handbooks are an excellent tool that help kids learn about God and His Word, the Bible. 

All of our programs use a “move-together” method for handbook assignments. Students are asked to complete the assigned section each week. Cubbies and T&T have a handbook and a book calendar. See the T&T Handbook Guidelines for more details. Sparks will be given the verse for the following week each club night on paper and via parent text.

 

Please help your children to complete their weekly handbook section(s). Students will need to work on Awana at home in order to get the most out of this program! Working for about 5 minutes per day should lead to success. If your child has special needs or is not being successful, please let us know so we can help! 

 

What are Theme Nights, Africa Schools Project, Awards, Shares, and Awana Store?

Theme Nights – These are special events planned for almost every week of club (see the calendar handout).  Please encourage your children to participate in the Theme Nights. 

Africa Schools Project – This project allows Awana to operate in public schools in Africa. Every $650 allows one public school (approximately 350 children) to start Awana. Last year, our Awana Club raised about $1700 for this program, and this year we hope to raise even more! To raise money for this program, we will hold a huge Verse-a-thon event in March. More details to come!

Awards/Shares/Awana Store – The formula is simple:  Hard Work = More Rewards. Book completion awards will be given out at our Closing Awards Ceremony.  Awana Store Shares are earned by attending club and completing sections, and can be spent at the two Awana Stores we have each year (December and May).

 

What is the discipline policy?

Respectful and kind language and behavior is expected before, during, and after club.  

For our discipline policy, we use the “5-Count” and the “3-Count.”

• “5-Count” – Whenever attention is needed, a leader will use the “5-Count” and will begin counting “1, 2, 3, 4, 5.”  By the time the number 5 is reached, every child is expected to be looking at that leader and waiting quietly for instructions.  All leaders and children are taught to obey the “5-Count.”
• “3-Count” – Leaders use the “3-Count” for children not following the rules.  After a child has been warned about not following a rule, if the behavior continues, he/she will be told they have a “one.”  The leader will explain to the child what will happen if the behavior continues.  If the behavior continues, he/she will be given a “two” and be sent to the Awana director.  He and the other leader will discuss the problem with the child and determine the appropriate consequence.  This may range from a time-out to the loss of a game, or to the loss of the entire Game Time.  If the behavior still continues, the child will be given a “three” and the parent/guardian will be called to remove the child from Club.  We believe a “three” will rarely be needed.  

 

What can parents/guardians do to make this the best year of Awana ever?  

• Bring children by 6:20pm to sign in and pick them up at 8:00pm. We will contact you in case of a cancellation.  Please make sure we have accurate contact information for you.
• Bring children every possible week.  Consistent attendance will help your children to excel!
• Make sure children bring their sneakers, handbook, and Bible. (We have free Bibles available.)  Every night of club, including theme nights, children need to wear clothes that are modest and appropriate.
• Most importantly, always encourage your children to work hard, and be willing to help them memorize their Bible verses.  If YOU care, your CHILDREN will be more likely to care as well.

 

What are the special events/opportunities available for T&T’ers?

• Grand Prix - We will be participating in a Grand Prix car race and design competition on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Waterloo Baptist Church. T&T’ers will get to design their own wooden race cars to use on a 35-food race track. Free car kits are available to any interested T&T’ers.
• Bible Quizzing – The regional Bible Quizzing event takes place in January or February every year. More details (including a practice schedule) will be announced after Christmas. Bible Quizzing is for T&T’ers who have completed the first half of their handbook by the Bible Quizzing date. This is a competitive event that tests knowledge of handbook material, as well as providing individual and team awards. The whole family is invited to attend!
• Awana Games – The regional Awana Games event takes place in the spring. This is a fun opportunity for a team of our T&T’ers to demonstrate their mastery of many different Awana games while competing against teams from other Awana clubs. More details will be provided as the date approaches. Once again, the whole family is invited to attend!
• Camp Scholarship Program – Seneca Community Church provides the opportunity for T&T'ers to earn scholarships to local Christian camps based on the amount of the handbook completed by the end of the club year. A full book scholarship of $350 is awarded to children completing their entire handbook, and a half book scholarship of $175 is awarded to children completing at least half of their handbook. The amount of scholarship earned by each child will be announced at the Awana Kids' Club closing ceremony in May and communicated through a written letter at that time. SCC will reimburse families for the amount of scholarship earned AFTER the child has attended camp. Need-based scholarships will also be available by submitting an Awana Camp Scholarship Application. This form and more information will be handed out at the closing ceremony.

For more info or with questions, email awana@senecacommunitychurch.com.

Optional pre-registration here.