General Club Questions
This forum is no longer maintained. It is here for informational purposes only. Please visit our new forum at forum.keepersofthefaith.com
Name: Lisa
Subject: Children's Church
Has anyone ever tried this for the sunday morning childrens church format? We are the childrens ministry team(my family) and this would be a great idea if I could work out some kinks for it. Just curious if anyone has done this before?
Name: Amy
Subject: Our family club website
We have 4 little boys (ages 2-10). We seriously considered the Boy Scouts, but logistically it was just not possible. We couldn't have one parent attend Cub Scout meetings with each boy, and we could see that expenses would add up very quickly. I decided to start a family Contenders Club. I figured in our family personality and interests, and designed a fun format for meetings. I do the planning and prep work, my husband will help with the manly skills that I lack haha. We are going to just have our boys this first year, to see what needs changed or improved. Next year we hope to invite local homeschooled boys to join us. I don't think that will be much trouble...when one lives with 4 boys every day, a few more can't make much difference! I thought someone might like to peek at my plans for this fall. When we get started (the first Friday of August), I will try to update the blog with stories of our adventures. Amy http://weathertopcontendersclub.blogspot.com
Name: Stephanie
Subject: What do mom do with other children during Keepers?
I am starting a homeschool Keepers group in the fall. We are considering meeting in the afternoon, and since this is a homeschool group, there are other siblings to consider (both younger and older). What do other families/groups do with younger and older siblings? So far no one has expressed interest in doing a Contenders program or other age group. Do parents find someone to keep them? Do they bring them? Do parents drop off? I would like to have some moms stay, but what do they do with their other children?? We don't have a facility to meet at locally, so it will be in my home. There isn't room for another group in another room. Thanks!
Name: Linda
Subject: Searching for a Club Name
I began a Keepers Club about a year ago with several of my homeschool friends. We are wanting to give our keeper's club a name, but have been unable to come up with one. If anyone has any suggestions we would appreciate them. Our club has 8 girls ranging in age from 8 to 15.
Name: Sherri
Subject: Icebreakers
Does anyone have a suggestion for an icebreaker for our first Keepers At Home meeting. We have 19 girls and they all don't know each other.
Name: Christy
Subject: Christian Lesson Time
I would like to hear what other clubs are doing for Christian Lesson Time. We are just starting a club of young boys and girls. Can anyone suggest some guidelines and/or Scriptural resources that would help us get on the right track? I have so many ideas, but it seems so hodgepodge at this point that I feel a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for you input!
Answer from Pamella Berger
Answer from Betty Clifton
Answer from Bobbi White
Name: Karen
Subject: Game Ideas for the Meeting
We have had a small Keepers at Home group (3 families) for a couple of years. We are now opening the group up to our home school group, and at least 8 families (about 11 girls) will be involved. Since some of the families are new to the group and home schooling, we are looking for getting-to-know-you games and activities for our first 2-hour meeting -- 2 or 3 games, and a Prayer-related craft. We are planning on distributing notebooks with a brief teaching and discussion to kick off the Prayer Warrier badge. We will briefly introduce the Baking badge, also, with the idea that the girls will earn their baking badges by baking refreshments for all to enjoy at the meetings. All help appreciated! Thanks!
Name: Angela
Subject: What About Skills Previously Acquired
First of all, let me just say how I love this whole concept and I can't wait to get started on the Keepers at Home book with my daughter! I will be starting it this year in our homeschool. My question is this: my daughter is 10 and she already has some of the skills in the book (probably 10 or less of the skills). I am not sure what to do with those------- if she flies through them immediately and achieves 10 rewards I am afraid she won't appreciate the rewards enough for the next skills or that she'll think it is easy and lose steam when it becomes harder. However, I don't want to just ignore her accomplishments up until now with no reward. Do you have any suggestions?
Name: Becki
Subject: Club Dissolving?
Hi, I have led a keepers club for the past 2 years. I started out with 15 girls and slowly the girls began to drop out one by one as we got to a topic they didn't care for, or it became too much work ( or percieved work.) This year I had 5 but the numbers again dropped(not all from being bored, or not liking it, some moved or started Public school) So now it looks like I am going to have to dissolve my club. It seems as if girls today are just not interested in learning these things. That saddens me, but what can I do? I will still continue to do the book with my daughters just at home. Any thoughts?
Name: Jodi
Subject: Keepers as Outreach to the Unsaved?
Has anyone used the Keepers club as a community outreach? Let me share my situation and maybe you can pass along some insight. I am a homeschooling mother of four, two of whom are very social girls. There are several other girls on the street but I feel I must always supervise their play because of the habits my children pick up. Also, whenever these girls see us working on a project together (gardening, crafts, etc.), they often come over just to be with us and help. It's like they are drawn to this. That said, my husband and I have talked about starting a Keepers Club as an outreach. It would be a way to allow our children to interact with others in a manner that hopefully glorifies Jesus. What pros and cons do you see? Thank you.
Name: Pamela
Subject: Which Way to Go?
My daughter discovered Keepers at Home several months ago via a Christian book list. After seeking the Lord, I've arrived at the conclusion that He is directing me to start one or more Keepers clubs in our community. I'm currently praying on specifically how best to go about it. We are recently moved to the area and haven't settled yet into a church home, although we are out there visiting. We have joined the nearest bi-county homeschool group. It's mid-year. My daughter is 13 and she is in her second year of the home curriculum called Training Our Daughters to be Keepers at Home by Ward. I don't know whether to a) just 'put it off' until we find a church home, or b) approach one or more local pastors (choices directed by friends I've made in the homeschool group) regarding using a building as a site, or c) go more with the homeschooling angle, and finally d) try for a mid-year startup. I have a number of Christian sisters who are interested in helping and roughly nine hours/week maximum that I could devote to this ministry. The Bible says there is wisdom in many counselors. I'd like to hear from one or more of them. Thanks, and Blessings
Name: Melinda
Subject: Is there a devotional that someone could recommend?
I am starting a club that will meet twice a month. All of the devotionals for girls aged 5-10 that I have seen are geared toward daily. Club is to meet for 2 hrs. 1/2 hour devotion, 1/2 hour sharing, 45 min project time, 15 min refreshment/clean up time. I would like a devotional that is not continuous, that could be done in a half hour period. Any ideas?
Name: Keepers Mom
Subject: Modesty
We are an established group (keeper girls) and some of the mothers have recently expressed some concern with
the modesty (or lack of it) with mothers and girls in our group.
Our question is how do we raise the issue of modesty
without causing hard feelings or division within the group? We are associated with a homeschool group, so
not all our members are the same religious preference.
All do claim to be Christians, however.
Any suggestions on how to help in this area?
Skin tight clothing is not modest, regardless of how much of the body is covered. Likewise, regardless of the fullness of the skirt/shorts, the length does matter in portraying modesty.
How do we explain this politely without causing division?
Thanks!
Name: Linda
Subject: Fall Kick-Off Event
Our K of F club started last year, and about 10 families were involved. Many more have expressed an interest in our low-stress club for this next year. I am looking for ideas for a Fall kick-off party/meeting to add new families to our group. Any ideas? Thanks.
Name: Melinda
Subject: No club, Just my girls and I
Is this a program that a family can do? We have been in Awana for three years and I am not happy with the program changes and am considering not doing it this year. I am looking for an alternative that incorporates bible memory, devotions, Christian service, etc. My girls are 5 & 7. Are they too young or would this be a good option? Please help. Awana starts at the end of August here.
Name: Diana
Subject: Want to start a Contenders
Hi, My husband and I are interested in starting a Contender of Faith at my church. My question is we have a lot of single families without fathers, can I incorporate other men in our church to come along side these boys? I know that this club is focused on family. But I also see a need for these boys to learn how to become Godly men. Also can the moms be involved in this club with their sons? I am also thinking of starting Keepers for the girls. I am in Keepers at a different church but I see the need to bring it into my church. Awesome club! Thank You, Diana
Name: Paula
Subject: Starting a Club
Hi, my name is Paula. I am looking into starting a Keepers club at my church. I am a little confused about how it should be structured. Say I open the group to girls from ages 6-18 and their mothers. How am I going to keep the interest level of such an age difference? If I found another leader to help assist and I divided the girls up according to age- what would happen if a mother had girls in more than one group? I would appreciate any advice. Thank You.
Name: Annie
Subject: What do you do about lack of effort?
In September we started a Contenders club in our homeschool group with 8 5th-7th graders, meeting each week during our co-op. My question is what do we do with a boy who seems to love the club, but has not put forth any effort to complete the requirements for the projects we are working on? His mother raves to me how much he loves it and how much he is growing because of it, but he didn't complete even one project during our first eight weeks. (I do think he has the ability.) We did not have all the parents stay each week, but we did send home written homework assignments each week so they would know what the boys should be working on. Starting in January we will be meeting once a month in the evening and have given the boys the option of whether to continue or not. Any suggestions of what to do with this boy if he decides to continue? Thanks!
Name: Martha
Subject: Working Mothers
I read your response to the subject of carreer-seeking Moms. Can you respond to the problem of how to be a gracious and suportive wife and mother when your husband tells you to get a job? This is hard, when you feel God would have you at home with your children, and you want to be an example to your daughter, yet you must also be obedient to your authority: your husband. When your husband is not a Christian, or no longer ACTS like a Christian, it is even more complicated. What if HE wants to "keep up with the Joneses?" We have some Moms in this struggle. Any thoughts?
Name: Martha
Subject: Leaders Support
I was wondering if anyone is interested in having a leaders suport group on line? We could communicate directly, and thus faster, not having to go through the message board. Anybody?
Name: Marni
Subject: Gaining Members
HELP! I'd love to have a few girls join us in a Keepers Club, but not having any luck in finding anyone interested. HAs anyone put an ad in a paper to gain interest? I don't want to just end up a babysitter, kwim? Any tips on how to orgainze with strangers instead of friends form a HS group or church?
Name: Keith
Subject: Contender Pledge
Is there any pledges or certain key verses that the contenders say, or is it up
to the leaders to come up with their own? I would appreciate any suggestions
from someone of more experience. Is there anything in the manuals that I might
have missed?
Another man and myself are starting agroup of contenders for
our homeschool group. God Bless!
Answer from Jeff Zakula
Answer from Sandy Bourgeois
Name: Chantal
Subject: Young
I was just wondering if anyone might have ideas to help us decorate our float. Our town has an annual Czech Festival and our group has decided to enter a float in the parade. We are a small group with 10 girls. We have a trailer and we want to decorate in such a way to celebrate their girlhood. In fact we were thinking of dubbing the float beautiful girlhood. If anyone has any ideas for us, or has ever entered a parade, please let us know. We want others to know about Keepers At Home, and thought this would be a great fun way to do it! We appreciate your thoughts on this. By the way the parade is the first weekend in October.
Name: Kym
Subject: Joy of Womanhood Age?
I have a 14yog. I am interested in using Keepers of the Faith. Is she too old for this or should we use The Joy of Womanhood? Thanks, Kym
Name: Laura
Subject: Joy of Womanhood Club
I am leading a group of about 15 teen-age girls from our church this school year
in the Joy of Womanhood book. We are meeting every other week for 3 hours.
(This is in conjuction with a "Stepping Stones" group meeting at the same time.)
I have several questions as I am getting started. First, is this enough time,
or too much time? What types of things would you do during the meetings? My
thoughts were to do the Bible studies, and have a time of accountability and
sharing. We would also learn some new skills. What other things have been done
with older girls? Are there enough skill requirements in the Joy of Womanhood
to keep us busy the entire school year?
Thank you for your help!
Name: Belinda
Subject: How do you break up group time?
We will be starting a Keepers club n our church in the fall. The way it looks now we will be having girls K-3, and 4 - up broken down for "devotions" and coming to together for hands-on, craft. The boys will be together as they are a smaller group. It is a small church. How would you schedule say and hour - hour and a half for a group that meets weekly.
Name: Debbie
Subject: Girl Scout Question
I have been a girl scout leader for 2 years for jr. and high school age. I have just discovered this program and it looks wonderful. Is it acceptable to use some of the ideas from keepers of the faith with our scout meetings, or is it best to only use the program in a "keepers" club.
Name: Mark
Subject: Number of Badges Per Year
Is there a published minimum requirement or guideline for how many can or should
be done in a year for the different ages that can use KOF? We're starting a club
in a few months and wondering what a reasonable goal for the different age kids
might be.
Thanks for your help!
Name: Lori
Subject: Dual club meetings
My husband and I have been talking about starting a club for our oldest girl (and homeschool group) to participate in. However, we have 2 more younger girls and 1 boy. We wondered about the possiblity of starting a Keepers and a Contenders club that would meet on the same night at our home and he could work with the boys and I could work with the girls. I know the club is designed for ages 6 & up. I would really like it to be a family time though, and not have parents dropping off kids and coming back later. But many of them have smaller kids. Do you have any suggestions for allowing moms and dads to keep the wee ones with them during club time? We would probably only meet once or twice a month and that would most likely focus on learning whatever skill was necessary for our project and Bible study. Thanks for your input.
Answer from Jeff Zakula
Answer from Martha Thompson
Name: Mary
Subject: Mother-Daughter Banquet
I am looking for ideas for our spring Mother-Daughter banquet. Please include any program ideas along with suggestions for decorations, menu plans or recipes, games, etc. Thanks.
Answer from Barb Setzler
Answer from Chantal Young
Name: Marni
Subject: Character Badges
I'm using "Polished Cornerstones" as requirements for the character badges and have found you have nearly all of them. Can you suggest or supply in the future badges for Trust, Devotion, Courage, Modesty. Also a suggestion for a craft badge Rug Braiding.
Answer from Susan Zakula
Answer from Martha Thompson
Name: Priscilla
Subject: Where to start?!
I have the contenders book and the parents guide. I just have no idea where to
start! There is no club nearby but there is interest within our homeschool
group. I would be willing to start a monthly meeting but I've never done
anything like this before and am at a loss for where to begin. Is there a step
by step guide?
My son is 6 years old (I've had the books for a couple years
now actually).
Name: Kathy
Subject: Sash Lengths
I'm confused about the sash lengths to order. I'm needing them for fourboys. The oldest are 5'7" and 5'11" and growing. Do they need the extralong? How do I order the free pattern to sew them myself, and how muchmaterial do I need to make all four? We just got our Contender's Handbooktoday and we're excited to start our family club!
Name: Lori
Subject: Women Who Work Outside the Home
Dear Keepers,
My husband is a Pastor of a small church and we have many women who work outside the home (desire a career). We are looking into KOTF clubs to see if it might be something we might use. But I am wondering if it would really stir things up in our church. (Not that we are against this, but there are many issues that might be more important?) Most of our teenage girls are very "worldly" and we need something that might offer a good Bible study, learning. We also have younger girls and few boys. This year we discontinued AWANA because of a loss of leaders. But my goal would be to see the parents come with their kids.
Also, how often do you need to meet together?
Thank you,
Lori
Name: G Gomez
Subject: Badge Questions
I received a copy of the new and updated Contenders and Keepers handbooks
today. WOW! What a wonderful job you've done! I am prayerfully seeking
the Lord starting a club in our church.
I have some questions.
What is the difference between the silver badge and the gold badge? How
would you use those in a setting where I will have children ranging from
6-11 years of age? Any ideas?
Also, I don't quite yet understand how the Bible Memory badge works and
how the handook is laid out. In the Contenders handbook you have BIBLICAL
MANHOOD in Category #1. The badge you earn isn't the "Biblical Manhood"
badge but rather a badge on Bible Memory, a badge on Bible Reading, one of
Personal Journal, etc., correct?
How does the Bible Memory Badge work? Could I have the boys memorize the
books of the Bible and then they get a badge? Then later when they memorize
1 Corinthians 13 then they get another badge for Bible Memory?
Name - Cherry
Subject - Memory Verse Pins
I would like to know if the memory verse pins are pre-printed or if I could have a certain verse put on them. Thanks.
Name - Julia
Subject - Keepers and AWANA
Is Keepers of the Faith club comparable to AWANA Clubs?
Name - Sandy
Subject: 5th, 6th & 7th graders
Our
first year having Keepers (We call it Titus Twosdays For Girls (Keepers At Home)
has been hugely successful! We have 15 girls ranging from 1st grade to 10th
grade....We just had our annual sign up and WOW! 15 more joined! The main
problem we're having is how to bridge the young girls and the older girls....we
like meeting together, to build relationships (older to younger) and all the
moms attend also. We say our goal, sometimes sing, share work on badges, have a
girlhood lesson, hear a talk on the badge we're working on as a group (not every
time), then break into groups (Pebbles, Stepping Stones, Precious Stones) to
work on a related badge....the pink book seems a bit to young for the older
girls, and we occasionally "beef up" the requirements, but the Joy Of Womanhood
seems a tiny bit too overwhelming for the 5th through 7th graders and their
moms.........Is there any ideas for the junior high/intermediate level
girls.....should I encourage the moms to interact more at home with their
daughters, maybe using the Joy book, and then just try to have whatever craft
we're doing at meetings be harder for the older ones? We just had our Awards
Banquet and the older girls completed a huge amount of badges.....too easy
maybe? The banquet was wonderful! We invited the dads and a speaker spoke about
the father's relationship and responsibilities to his daughters, the girls,
sang, had a skit to represent the Others badge and the Patriotism badge and
there were lots of wonderful things to remember!
Name: Sandy
Subject: Light in darkened world
Hi...I am
the leader of a Keepers club....we recently had a new member sign up and one of
the women asked the following question: Would you help me respond to
her....."I had a nice time at your meeting last night.....I read through the
manual and enjoyed and agreed with it, however, I would add that besides being a
"Helper suitable for my husband and a keeper of the home"...a productive member
of society offering light into a darkened world (or something to that effect).
There are many young girls who will not get married young or may want or need to
have a profession after marriage. Does Keepers at Home recognize
this...?"
So......I know the answer but would like help in tactfully
explaining....your help would be appreciated. Thanks! Sandy
Answer from Jeff and Susan Zakula
Name: Darlene
Subject: Pen Pals
We are a homeschooled Keepers group of seven girls ages 8 - 10 in Southern California who are interested in getting another Keepers group for pen pals. Is there a way to do this?
Name: Laurie
Subject: Questions
Hi,
Thanks for the catalog. I have some questions on some of
the material
that I am hoping you can clarify for me.
1. It seems to be
two separate programs, one for girls, one for guys. Is
there a way to mix the
two for a small church that only has one person
interested in teaching
it?
2. It also seems to be girls with moms, boys with dads, does it work
for
a single parent of the opposite sex?
3. Are the character lessons
included in the materials or just
suggestions on what to teach or
what?
This looks to be really great material, and I am very interested
in
finding out more about it. Thanks for your help, and hopefully I will
be
sending for some material soon.
Name: Renee
Subject: Bible Lessons
We are excited to begin a new Keepers club. Do you have any suggestions for where I can find appropriate materials for Bible lessons? I would like to focus on girlhood issues, but all the materials I have seen on the subject seem both rather liberal and rather mature in content. Although our group is of mixed ages and includes the mothers, most of our girls are between 6 and 8 years old.
