Northbrook Baptist Church

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AWANA Parents Note

 

Dear Parents,

It was a privilege for us to have had your child in our AWANA program.  We trust he or she had a terrific time, and isa regular part of our club.

AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). It is an international organization dedicated to seeing children learn of God’s love for them. The AWANA program here at Northbrook Baptish Church seeks to provide an atmosphere in which your child can enjoy growing spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Separate club programs within AWANA have been tailored to preschoolers (Cubbies), early elementary schoolers (Sparks, for K – 2nd grade) and upper elementary schoolers (T&T Clubs, 3rd – 6th grades).

Each week these different clubs participate in the following general components (in different order for each group, to maximize facility use):

Our AWANA program meets Wednesday night from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Northbrook Baptist Church. Many evenings have special themes for the different clubs. This website will keep you informed about upcoming events. In addition, for the older clubbers (Sparks and T&T Clubs), there are special events during the course of the year, for exmple,  AWANA Grand Prix competition and AWANA Game competitions with local churches.

Appropriate dress for our AWANA clubs includes the club uniform (once earned). We encourage kids to wear long pants for game time, but this isn’t a requirement. For safety, we do require that Sparks and T&T clubbers wear non-marking gym shoes for game time – and please, no heelys at club (wheels will have to be removed while at church). Clubbers who don’t have appropriate shoes will have to sit out for many of the games we play.

Within AWANA, a system of rewards encourages children in their handbook achievements and good behavior. Our emphasis is on positive discipline, where children see godly role models in their teachers and leaders. We delight in “catching kids being good!” However, if a child struggles with disruptive, disrespectful or dangerous behavior, the following protocol will be used. The child’s leader, after determining that the issue cannot be resolved by simple methods (changing seating arrangement, etc.) gives the misbehaving clubber a "one" count – a warning that the next offense will bring greater consequences. If a second offense occurs that evening, the clubber is given a “two” and taken to the club director or commander to discuss the problem. (You as a parent will be notified if your child were ever to get to this point.) If the clubber demonstrates continued willful defiance in attitude or action, they are given a “three” and you as parents will be called to take the child home early (at which time the problems will be explained in detail, of course). If this does occur, additional consequences will be discussed (such as missing a club night(s), or having a parent/guardian accompany the clubber during the following club meeting).

We trust this gives you an overview of the AWANA program. Thank you again for partnering with us to teach your child about God and His love for us. If you have any questions, please feel free to call, or visit our AWANA clubs with your child (please notify us if you will be staying).

If you do not have a church home, we’d be honored for you to visit Northbrook Baptist Church. We have sunday school and church services on Sundays.

Serving in Christ,

Jay Moore
AWANA Commander