On Your Marks


We have been delighted that so many children were signed up to
take part: 58 in total, which was pretty much maximum capacity! And,
we were even more delighted that so many children actually turned
up on the days: 56 in total. The youngest of them were almost 5
years old, and the eldest were almost 12 years old. Although of
course’ not all children were in attendance every day… we simply
couldn’t have accommodated that within our hall space.
To offer a clearer picture, due to days out and family holidays; there
were 30 children with us on day one, 29 on day two, a bumper 38 on
day 3 and 28 on day 4, which was awesome! Our maximum capacity
for any one day was ideally 36. And of course, with that many
children comes an army of volunteers… in fact 16 of them (across all
four days), broken down as follows; 2 group leaders and 3 or 4
additional helpers each day’ caring for and supporting each of the
three ‘village’ groups that the children were split up into. Thank God
for each and every single volunteer, including those from our own
church and those that came to us from the Baptist Church to help; as
without so many, we couldn’t have ensured that our ‘age related’
adult to child ratios were met’ in order to keep all of the children
safely engaged with the variety of activities undertaken.
And what activities did take place? you might may well ask…
Well, each day began with a getting to know each other
session, referred to as ‘starting blocks’, whereby within their
village groups the children; built and decorated structures out
of cardboard boxes, made name badges and team torches,
and were focused by their team leaders on questions
designed to help them learn about each other. They were also
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given sporting facts to remember (that were changed daily), in
order to earn themselves medals; which were
totalled up at the end of each day to determine which ‘village’
were declared the winning team.
Myself and the volunteers were amazed at how competitive it
became amongst the teams, as the children all worked really hard
with their eyes firmly set on the prize: the coveted trophy.
Once out of their starting blocks, all teams were drawn together as
one’ within ‘the stadium’ zone, in the middle of the hall, whereby all’
inclusive of volunteers, took part in an aerobics session. After that the
children played games and undertook challenges, which were linked
to the sport for the day. These of course resulted in earning more
medals, to be included in their accumulating daily totals!
After that, each day the children were treated to a different puppet
show, which shared a story from the bible, followed by a commentary
to help focus their thoughts and considerations on what the puppets
had shared with them. Then it was time for the children (and the
volunteers) to take some well-earned rest, with quiet(er) time,
refreshments and a team discussion back in their villages.
Refreshments over, the teams were called back together again as
one, within the stadium zone’ for more physical exercises and mental
challenges, and to let off steam with the holiday club theme song and
dance.
Each day ended with a performance of Ready Steady Enders Street:
a drama set at the GETFIT leisure centre, which was performed by
some of the leaders from each of the villages. Each day’s
performance focused on the characters working hard to overcome
adversity’ and show themselves as being a great team, with qualities
that would make God proud.
Finally, before being returned to their parents, on the days that
weather permitted, the children were taken out into the garden and
encouraged to play sporting type games together.
To top things off, we got to celebrate all that had happened at holiday
club, on the following Sunday – with Sunday Club’ at morning
worship. During this time our congregation got to experience some of
what had taken place at holiday club, along with some of the families
of the children that had taken part in the holiday club program. Here,
they too got to celebrate their children and our wonderful volunteers
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being awarded with gifts and certificates for taking part, as well as
watching ‘live performances’ of the holiday theme song, a puppet
show, and the final episode of the unfolding drama: Ready Steady
Enders Street.
I really hope to be able to recreate this wonderful time in the future
with more holiday clubs. Here’s to praying for it to happen!
Much love Linda
Xxx