Going for Gold

 

On your marks… get set… we’re

Going for Gold!

Half-term Holiday Club:

14-16 February 2012

 

Kim Curle reporting:

Praise God for the 74 children and team of over 60 helpers who joined us for our Olympic-themed Going for Gold! Half-term Holiday Club.

 

Each day, on arrival in the Olympic Village, the Swimmers, Gymnasts, Rowers and Sprinters children’s groups, met with their hosts for an opening craft activity, which included making Olympic torches and designing a spiral hat.

                                                                                        

In the Stadium, we then gathered for our all-together time where we heard from real life Olympic champions on the big screen and checked out stories from Mark’s Gospel following some significant events in Jesus’ life including choosing his team and walking on water – truly a gold-medal person in everything!

 

The Swimmers and Gymnasts then made their way to the Global Games, whilst the Rowers and Sprinters went for their creative activities in the Pentathlon, the children relaxing in the Global Café in the changeover.

 

On the Sewing table, the Union Jack cushions were hugely popular as was the ‘design-a-kit-bag’ activity.  Baking was also a winner with smiley face pizzas, decorating cakes and dried fruit, honey and desiccated coconut balls!  In the clay modelling, the children were wonderfully creative making Olympic medallions, commemorative plates or sailing boats that they then painted the next day.

 

Our theme on Day 1 was MAKING THE TEAM where we saw how the disciples of Jesus dropped everything to follow him.  On Day 2 in CHALLENGING THE TEAM, we saw what happened to Peter when he stepped out of the boat and recognised Jesus as God’s Son; and on Day 3 in STICKING TO THE TEAM Jesus explains the story about the farmer, leaving us with the question of how we might keep on growing in our love of God.

 

We had group photographs taken and decorated photo frames, made flags, did marble painting and planted runner beans!  In the Athletes Village the stories were unpacked; the children did activity sheets linked to the day’s Bible theme and most especially this was an important time for building trust and friendship.

 

Then on the last day, we welcomed the children’s families for our closing session and a picnic-style lunch.  It was incredible that so many people were involved in this project – from attending the preparatory workshops to being an activity provider at holiday club itself, it has been marvellous to see such support and willingness to help and it was wonderful that so many of the families joined us for our café-style Holiday Club service on Sunday 19 February, the children so enthusiastically singing our ‘On your marks....’ theme song and taking part in many other ways.

        

 

       

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