Awana Kickoff To Feature Reptiles

"There is something here for everybody on Wednesday nights," said Heather Ensslen, who grew up attending Awana at Calvary Monument Bible Church (CMBC) and now serves as one of the coordinators of the program. Ensslen noted that Awana clubs are available for children from age 2 through sixth grade, and a youth group and adult prayer meeting are also offered on Wednesday evenings from September through May.

Awana will kick off at CMBC, 1660 Mine Road, Paradise, on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m., with a program by Jesse Rothacker of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary. The interactive and educational animal show will feature live snakes, as well as lizards and turtles. Awana clubs will have tables set up at the church to provide information, and cupcakes will be served. Awana clubs will meet from 6:40 to 8:15 p.m. weekly from Wednesday, Sept. 7, through Wednesday, May 10.

Awana clubs are divided into four age groups. The group for 2-year-olds is called Puggles. Children ages 3 to 5 attend Cubbies. Children in kindergarten to second grade go to Sparks, and third- through sixth-graders go to Truth and Training, called T&T. Awana opens with a whole group gathering for song, and then the clubs break into smaller groups to go over workbooks and memory verses. Each club has large group time and a game time that Ensslen called "unique." The Cubbies also have puppet and craft time.

Ensslen explained that the Forgotten Friend show ties into an animal theme that will be featured regularly throughout the two semesters of the program. "One night each month will be Critter Card night, and (club members) will have trading cards they can collect," she said. "We will talk about a couple different animals and what we can learn about the Bible and God by studying the animals." She added that when attendees amass five Critter Cards, they can adopt a stuffed animal.

Along with the animal theme nights, Ensslen said some special theme nights are planned based on activities that have proven popular in the past. "Last year, we did a drive-in movie night," said Ensslen, who explained that club members decorated cardboard boxes to look like cars and then brought them to (Awana) to sit in while watching a movie on an inflatable screen in the gym. Another theme night is neon night, which involves neon clothing and glow items. "We put black lights in the gym, and we play games," explained Ensslen, who also described a weekend event that involves adults as well as children. "We do a Grand Prix, which is a Saturday family event in February," she said, explaining that the pinewood derby offers racing for both children and adults. "It gets a little bit competitive," she said.

Readers who would like more information on the Awana kickoff event may visit https://calvarymonument.org/ministries/children.