AWANA

I grew up attending an united church about 10 minutes walk from my house and went to Awana every Friday evening. It was in another city, but about a 10 or 20 minute drive away from where I lived. I was in Awana from about age 5 or 6 and up until I was about 12 or so. My brother was in it as a child and I think he stopped going just when he was old enough to help out with the little kids and keep them quiet during things everyone was in (he is 4 years older than me). He did the helper thing maybe once or twice before moving to downtown Toronto and not being into it. We lived uptown.

Some things I loved and other things I didn't like too much. My mom used to always say don't listen to the talk about hell or the devil and I never did because I have always felt that there is none of that really. But I loved the games, crafts and the olympics type thing. It was interesting the different games used and stuff like that. But what was really annoying was having to remember all kinds of things in the workbooks. Don't get me wrong I love the bible and my dad would read bible stories to me before bed when we'd do our Awana stuff and that. But you weren't allowed to go play the games or other activities until you go the page or pages you where working on memorized with about only 2 helps. If I was into working with kids as I am today and more outgoing and wasn't seeking more out of things than maybe I would have stayed in it and became a leader. I mean I do remember themed days and stuff like that that I can use now when working with kids so that is really cool there.
 
I'll do what I can to explain.

AWANA stands for "Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed." based on 2 Timothy 2:15. It is a childrens program that kind of merges the ideas scoutng with the ideas of the old RA's and GA's.

Basically, at least how my churches works, children from 4 years old, on up until 6th grade, come once a week to gather for AWANA. They will have different sessions for games, scripture memorization, and lessons from the Bible. The shildren are broken down into three groups based on age. Cubbies is for 4-5 year olds, Sparks is for k-2nd grades, and TNT(Truth in Training) is for 3rd-6th grades. They generally tend to offer special occassion around the year such as a Parents night, the Awana Grand Prix(similar to Boyscout's Pinwood derby), and seasonal events like a birthday party for Jesus.

All in all, it is generally a well structuresd program for children to attend.
 
We used to have a program like that called Caravan. You earned badges for things that you did. Like Scouts, but with a Christian attitude.
 
I really like AWANA. I truly think that it can raise a goodly child better than anything else I've been able to work with. However, the effort must be there to grow the children in the ways of the Lord.
 
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