Sunday, May 2 the Colonial auditorium was packed with AWANA Cubbies, Sparks and T&T clubbers and their families. After a slideshow highlighting the 2009-2010 AWANA year, Mac Devine, AWANA Commander, welcomed everyone to the awards portion of AWARNIVAL 2010.

For the uninitiated, AWANA is a club for kids 3 years-grade 5 that leads kids to “know, love and serve Christ.” One of the ways members are encouraged to know God better is by learning and memorizing scripture. AWANA is an acronym for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed and is based on 2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

During the half-hour ceremony, club directors recognized club members, noting their achievements for the year. This year more than 360 clubbers participated and were led by more than 175 dedicated volunteers. The last awards given were to this year’s Timothy Award winners. Commander Devine noted that there were more recipients of the Timothy Award this year than in any previous year that Colonial has hosted AWANA. Winners earned the distinction by completing four scripture memory books at the T&T club level. Timothy Award winners were: Natalya Brown, Emma Cole, Ashlynn Davis, Andrew Brewster, Graham Fowler, Garrett Hudson, Daniel Jacobs, Nathan Lawson, Cole Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, Justin Wahlers and Chad Wylie.  

After the awards, clubbers were dismissed to enjoy the fun and games of Awarnival with their families. Clubbers were served hot dogs, chips and soda. Popcorn and Snow Cones were also big favorites of the evening. Long-time volunteer Lloyd Sorrell said he grilled 600 hotdogs to feed the hungry clubbers. “This is the hottest year I can remember. One year it was in the 30’s! But, I really enjoy helping out,” said Lloyd as he cleaned up a very large, hot gas grill.  Student volunteer, Isaiah Simons whose hands and feet were stained an interesting shade of purple-blue-red by snow cone syrup, noted that favorite flavors were blue-raspberry, strawberry and cotton candy. Observing his colorful feet and hands, Isaiah’s mother, Sparks Grade 2 Director Glory Joy Simons said, “He could volunteer to do anything out here, but he really likes this!”

Colonial’s courtyard looked like a county fair with five extra large inflatables for bouncing and sliding and a variety of imaginative games. Game favorites included: corn hole, musical chairs/treat walk, Football Toss, Lost “UR” Marbles, Hot Shot/Soccer Kick, Bean Bag Bozo, Shooting Hoops, Speed Stack, Putt-Putt, and…Goo Slapping?! Kathy Waters said, “Goo is a mixture of cornstarch and water that acts like quicksand—this is just for fun.” Clubbers, up to their elbows in goo, certainly seemed to be having fun trying to figure out the messy mixture in large plastic bins set up on tables in the middle of the courtyard.

On the field, aspiring anglers tested their casting skills in a game of land fishing run by T&T Boy’s leader, Charlie Ortlip. “That’s good targeting!” he said, as Jonathan Lewis landed his lure in one of three circles outlined on the grass.

After only an hour of fun, volunteers were asking Colonial Ministry Assistant, Justin Wredberg, where they could find more candy to pass out to game participants. “We’re all out! Just let ‘em play!” he said. No one minded; they were having too much fun. “I like that we can play games!” said Ruby Schweitzer, First Grade Sparkie.

Note: Looking for kid-fun this summer, until AWANA starts up in the fall? Registration for Vacation Bible School and KidU will be held in the lobby on Sundays starting May 16. Visit colonialkids.org for more information.

Next week the AWANA video will be added as a special bonus.