Pioneer Clubs
Soaring Oaks Church sponsors Pioneer Clubs for children 3 years-7th grade. We currently have three Clubs meeting: Trailblazers (5-7 grade), and two Voyager groups (2-4 grade, and 3 years through 1rst grade). When a child joins Pioneer Clubs they receive a handbook and a book bag to carry it and their Bible to meetings. When they complete a unit they are given iron-on badges which are displayed on their book bag.
The following describes Pioneer Clubs, its goals and methods. For any further questions please contact Cherilyn Larsen at 429-9170 or email chlarsen@comcast.net
Pioneer Clubs began in 1939. Today there are clubs for boys and girls age 2 through grade 12 in the United states, Canada, and other countries.
Pioneer Clubs is a church-sponsored weekly club program for boys and girls age two through grade 12. This Christ-centered program integrates spiritual and personal development, emphasizes evangelism and discipleship and gives children opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends, have fun and develop Christian values that affect every area of their lives.
Today’s rapidly changing society can make children feel insecure. God uses their family and friends to help them develop a sense of belonging, and club is a place to make friends. Club also provides opportunities for boys and girls to develop skills, experience successes and challenges, make choices based on biblical principles and have fun.
The mission of Pioneer Clubs is to serve God by assisting churches and other ministries in helping children make Christ Lord in every aspect of life.
1. To enable children to enter into a personal relationship with Christ and to know his Word.
a. By presenting Christ as Savior and Lord, the club program gives children opportunities to experience salvation and grow spiritually.
b. By training children to study Scripture and apply it to daily life, club prepares them to exercise Christian responsibility in their church, community, and world.
2. To enable children to form healthy relationships.
a. By teaching biblical purposes for the family and by recognizing sociological influences, this program helps children learn how to be contributing members in various family situations.
b. By teaching that God created people to be interdependent, the club program leads children to develop healthy relationships with both peers and adults.
3. To enable children to grow as whole persons.
a. By presenting biblical values and characteristics of persons made in God’s image, club assists children in developing positive attitudes toward God, themselves, and others.
b. By providing opportunities to develop a variety of skills and abilities, club helps children experience achievement and grow physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
4. To enable adults to understand children and help them develop.
a. Through its curriculum and supplementary materials, the club program teaches child development and Christian values.
b. Through involvement in a club ministry, adults are encouraged in their personal and spiritual growth.
1. “Christ in every aspect of life.” The Pioneer Clubs program is Christ-centered and Bible-based. Its goal is to help children make Christ Lord in every aspect of their lives. Through club activities, club members have opportunities to
$ practice these principles in everyday situations
$ see adults model Christlike behavior and teamwork
2. Meaningful Bible memory and Bible Study. Pioneer Clubs helps children understand and apply what they’re hearing and memorizing.
Bible Memory. Understanding and application are essential to make Scripture memory a time to know God better and grow as a believer, rather than a rote exercise.
$ As often as possible, verses come from the lesson. This way, club members discuss them during the Bible Exploration portion of the lesson and consider ways to apply them.
$ When leaders and club members discuss the verses again during Bible Memory time, understanding deepens.
Bible Study. Club members search Scripture rather than just listen to a story or devotional. That’s because the key to change in their lives is for them to
$ discover for themselves how God’s Word applies to them. During the Application portion of the lesson members consider options rather than being told what to do.
3. Participative Learning. Learners retain more when they are actively involved. Pioneer clubs curriculum encourages active participation in all parts of club meetings. Examples:
$ Hands-on projects during the Award Activity portion of the lesson allow club members to develop and practice skills.
$ The lessons are not devotional readings. Children learn to study Scripture themselves and apply it to their lives.
4. Emphasis on Cooperation. Pioneer Clubs’ program emphasizes self-improvement, teamwork, and cooperation rather than competition.
5. Awards. In Pioneer Clubs’ award recognition system, requirements for Bible and activity awards are built into the lesson plans.
$ All club members gain skills and earn awards through regular participation in club.
$ Club members work together to earn awards.
$ Each child is encouraged to do his or her best.
$ Emphasis is on self-improvement and teamwork rather than trying to outdo others.
5. Relationship Oriented. A primary goal of Pioneer Clubs is to help children form healthy relationships. Teaching that god created us to be interdependent helps children see their need for relationships.
$ positive ways to interact with siblings and parents.
Peers. Kids need friends outside the family too. Club is a great place to
Adults. Because children develop personal identity and character by comparing and contrasting themselves with both men and women, club provides opportunities to develop relationships with adult leaders.
*** The above was taken from the Club Coordinators Manual published by Pioneer Clubs.