ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS

 AWANA CLUB SCHEDULE:
     5:00-5:30: Trek and Journey
     5:30-5:45: Opening Ceremony (all clubs)
     5:45-6:15:
            Sparks: Handbook Time
            T&T: Game Time
     6:15-6:45:
            Sparks: Game Time
            T&T: Handbook Time
     6:45-7:15:
            Sparks: Council Time
            T&T: Council Time

THE CLUB RULES:

• Come and leave with a smile.
• Chew gum before and after club.
• Always treat others with respect and good manners.
• Bring your club dues every week.
• Bring your Bible and handbook every week.
• Wear your uniform proudly.
• Participate willingly in all activities.

WHAT YOU CAN DO AS PARENTS:
Parents, you are an essential part of the Awana team. Please use the following guidelines to help your children get the most enjoyment out of club.

• Encourage your children to attend Awana every week. Consistency will help them to excel.
• Make sure they wear their uniform, bring their Bible and handbook, and pay their dues each week (unless they are paid in full for the year).
• Be sure they arrive for club on time (5 or 10 mins before). Starting on time helps keep our program on track.
• Help your children at home to complete two to three sections per week. This will help keep them motivated and insure they will receive their award for finishing their handbook. If your children need additonal help in learning their Bible verses, music cassettes (all clubs) and CDs (Cubbies and T&T) are available directly from Awana; go to their Web site, www.awana.org, and click on Awana Family Connection for information and prices or to place an order (when ordering, order the NKJV version for Sparks and NIV version for T&T).
• Please pick your children up promptly at 7:15. If you arrive early, please wait quietly in the downstairs lobby, as clubs are still in session.
• Always encourage your children. Make it a point to attend all major events, or even sit in on club meetings. Children have much more fun when their parents show interest in their accomplishments.

REWARDS AND AWARDS:
Rewards are at the heart of Awana Club meetings. Clubbers earn Awana shares, which can be exchanged for merchandise at the Awana store. Shares are also awarded for birthdays, instant leader recognition of good deeds, and as contest prizes.

Each clubber also has the opportunity to earn awards. Clubbers earn their club membership card or achievement badge by completing club entrance requirements. They also earn awards for completing handbook sections: rank patches (all clubs)and jewels (Sparks) or achievement seals (T&T); winning competitive events, and for faithfully attending club and Sunday School. Clubbers who complete their handbooks earn book awards, which range from ribbons to plaques and trophies. Children are allowed to work at their own pace, but for a clubber to finish his or her handbook in one year, he or she should complete two to three sections or units for each club meeting.

ATTENDANCE AWARDS:
To qualify for club attendance awards, a clubber is permitted one unexcused absence per quarter. Illness, family emergency, and being out of town are considered excused absences. To qualify for Sunday School attendance awards, a clubber is permitted two unexcused absences per half year. Religious training classes (such as CCD) and church attendance are acceptable substitutions for Sunday School attendance.

AWANA STORE:
Clubbers are given the opportunity to use the Awana Shares they have earned to purchase items at the Awana Store, which is held during club four times a year. A variety of merchandise from yo-yos to frisbees, book bags to wallets, and popular video tapes to pen knives is offered for sale (any clubber wishing to purchase a pen knife at the Awana Store must have his or her parent's permission to do so).

THE AWANA UNIFORM: 
Clubbers and leaders wear their Awana uniform to each club meeting. The official uniform policy is vest (Sparks), or casual uniform (T&T). Uniforms develop a sense of order and unity that draws clubbers and leaders together. A properly worn uniform also helps Awana clubbers and leaders earn respect and credibility, as well as provide a place for clubbers to display their awards, motivating them for future achievement. The Awana uniform makes club night special, creates an attractive and neat appearance that promotes good attitudes, and makes clubbers sense the importance and seriousness of God's Word.

OUR AWANA MISSIONARY:
An Awana missionary is assigned to a specific region by Awana Clubs International to serve the local churches which use the Awana program. The Awana missionaries for our club are Randy and Donna Meyers, who are the missionaries for the New Jersey, Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania region.

OUR CLUB LEADERS:
Awana leaders are committed people trained to provide your children with the best club experience possible. Our Awana team consists of the following people who realize the importance of quality ministry to children. Through teamwork, dedication and love for children, we strive to ensure that your children's experience in Awana will be both exciting and fruitful. And if you ever have a question, feel free to call the commander or the director of your child's club--they'd be happy to hear from you (all phone numbers are in the 201 area code).

PRICE LIST:
Dues:
In order to help pay for the costs of running an Awana Club, our club asks each clubber to contribute toward expenses. Our club dues are $1.00 per clubber per club night. Dues may also be paid in advance for the entire club year.

Handbooks:
Every clubber is given all entrance test booklets at no charge. Handbooks cost $7.00 each.

Uniforms:
Upon completion of the entrance test booklet, a clubber is eligible to wear the Awana uniform. The prices for uniforms is as follows:

*All clubbers beginning T&T are required to purchase the T&T Casual Uniform. Clubbers who were Pals, Pioneers, Chums or Guards have the option of wearing their gray uniform shirt and will receive a T&T conversion patch for their uniform at no charge.

Other expenses:
Some special events may involve an additional cost, which will be noted on the flyers concerning the event.

Our church desires that no child be deprived of participation in club due to finances. Should expenses be too high for your family, please see Commander Karin Arigot. We will find alternative ways to work things out financially for your child.

ADOPT-A-CLUB PROGRAM:
Clubbers are encouraged to participate in the Awana Adopt-A-Club program, which provides handbooks, uniforms, and awards for Awana Clubs around the world. Our club currently sponsors one club in Moldova. Every clubber who completes an Adopt-A-Club Coin Card receives and Adopt-A-Club Emblem to be worn on their uniform.

CLUB DISCIPLINE:
Discipline is the process of teaching acceptable behavior and self-control. Our motivation for discipline is our love for the clubbers. Discipline includes instruction, warning and chastening that don't anger or discourage the child. Our Awana leaders strive to use positive discipline as often as possible, placing the emphasis on recognizing good behavior rather than punishment for poor behavior; however, there are times when additional measures are necessary to maintain order in the club.

The Five-Count:
This is used when the clubbers' attention needs to be refocused. The person in charge begins to count to five slowly and loudly enough to be heard. Clubbers are to line up straight and silently on their team lines or sit quietly in their seats.

The Three-Count:
This is used when an individual is deliberately misbehaving or distracting other clubbers.

1. When a clubber misbehaves, the director informs the commander, who gives the child a warning. This is a "one."
2. If a clubber misbehaves again during the same club meeting, the commander is informed and the child is given a "two." The commander will then talk to the clubber about what he or she did wrong and what will happen if the misbehavior continues.
3. If the clubber misbehaves the third time, the commander will call the parents and ask them to pick up their child from club. Upon their arrival, the commander will speak to the parents about the problem, explain the reason for the discipline, and invite the clubber to return when he or she can behave appropriately.

TRAFFIC FLOW AT THE CHURCH:
At Awana, our biggest concern is for your children. This includes their physical safety as you are dropping them off and picking them up for club. To avoid congestion and possible accidents, we ask that you follow the established traffic flow pattern for the church parking lot: enter the grounds from Rivervale Road, and exit onto New Street. Thank you for your cooperation.

CHURCH PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL:
If you need to contact your children during Awana for any reason, please call the Church at (201)358-2522. At all other times, please use the Church's main telephone number: (201) 664-8640. You can also email us at awana@rvcefc.org.

For information about the Community Evangelical Free Church,
please check the other web pages on this web site.