Caravan Website (http://caravan.nazarene.org/)

Caravan Contact Information
(1-888-644-4510 or caravan@nazarene.org)

Caravan Materials
call 1-800-877-0700 or visit www.caravanministry.com

On-line Seminar
Learn more about the new Caravan with online seminars.

Caravan Update

The new Caravan program will reflect many changes, while still maintaining the integrity of the five-decade history of Caravan.

What’s New?

· Look for a greater emphasis on spiritual formation, ministry projects, and biblical content.

· Expect more streamlined paperwork, new badges, and updated versions of favorite badges.

· You will find a more visitor-friendly program, with opportunity for new kids to join Caravan at any time with out feeling "lost." You will be able to customize your Caravan to your kids!

What Stays the Same?

· The new curriculum will maintain the Nazarene heritage distinctive.

· Awards such as the esteemed Phineas F. Bresee award will remain in place.

· Badges will keep their emphases on the mental, social, spiritual, and physical aspects of development.

· There will still be many hands-on opportunities for learning and serving.

Watch for this new curriculum, which will be available for the fall of 2004. You will hear about the new Caravan through the following resources:

· Cmleadership E-newsletter

· Network newsletter

· Sunday School Ministries quarterly mailing (one is sent to the Sunday School superintendent and one to your pastor)

· Caravan website

The debut of the New Caravan is around the corner. Spiritual formation, Christian character, and ministry projects are major emphasis in the New Caravan.

Ministry projects introduce a lifestyle of ministry. A ministry project is an event designed to teach children service to others in the name of Jesus. All the skills developed while earning badges are used in ministry to serve.

In Explorer and Adventurer groups, each badge provides opportunities for a ministry project. Ministry projects are optional and are not required for completion of badges. However, completion of one ministry project is needed each year in the Explorer and Adventurer groups to earn top awards.

There are three levels of ministry projects for guides to select when planning a specific badge. These levels allow guides and Caravan directors to customize the teaching of badges according to the needs and capabilities of the children and local program.

A 100 Level is the completion of the badge with no project attached. This level allows for new Caravan programs or those with an abundance of newcomers. For example: Sentry – Cooking: Complete cooking projects and requirements for the Cooking badge.

A 200 Level is the completion of the badge with a project specific to the badge. This introduces children to ministry by using the skills learned to serve others through a simple outreach project. This level allows for a mentoring emphasis and a project oriented approach. For example: Sentry – Cooking: Complete cooking projects and give to another group of people.

The 300 Level involves the completion of at least two badges with a project combining the skills learned from both badges. This level allows for larger outreach projects, and a more intensive discipleship emphasis. Children develop projects to invite their friends, and earn badges along the way. For example: Sentry – Cooking and Swimming: Invite visitors to a swim and bar-b-que party. All Sentries help in planning the event. Spend the week(s) prior to the event planning and meeting any necessary requirements.

Planning is necessary for successful ministry projects. Space the projects evenly throughout the Caravan year. Keep in mind: transportation, adults needed, number of children, and budget. Ministry projects provide an evangelistic, disciple making, and visitor-friendly component to Caravan.

The Caravan Planning Book helps Caravan guides and directors plan and implement ministry projects. It has blank monthly planning pages to assist in developing regular ministry projects.

--Contributed by Suzanne Cook, Caravan Editor.

New Caravan: On-Line Seminar

· Caravan website

· To prepare for the debut of the new Caravan, WordAction Publishing is offering a one hour overview training event available for all registered Caravan programs. This training event is absolutely FREE!

This training gives pastors, local Caravan directors and those involved with a Caravan ministry an overview of the all-new Caravan, and provides resources and training materials they'll need to prepare for the new Caravan season. The presentation includes training on the philosophy, new badges, uniforms, a sneak preview of the art and lessons, and estimated cost.

The on-line seminar will take place via the internet and telephone. A Power Point presentation is provided via the internet while the audio portion of the presentation is provided via a conference call. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions in an interactive format. The sessions can be conducted at any computer with internet access and a nearby phone. While dial-up internet access does work, we strongly recommend high speed access, if possible.
For more information on dates and times, please contact Gaddy Reyes at greyes@wordaction.com .

Please include the following information: - Name

- Church Name

- District

- Phone Number

- Position within the Caravan Ministry
Upon receipt of your response, we will send you the information you need to join the presentation.

Please note: Information will be for the requested presentation date and time only. Once registered, if unable to attend please contact us to cancel or reschedule another presentation.

--Contributed by Suzanne Cook, Caravan Editor.

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Caravan: Called to Send CCK's

This could serve as part of their Caravan badge requirements and/or ministry projects.
A core value in the Caravan program is compassion, and there are plenty of ways to coordinate acts of compassion within the framework of the curriculum.

Here are some badges where you can introduce a CCK project into the curriculum:

· Hunter-Personal Care

· Quester-Stewardship, Environment

· Sentry-My Community

· Scout-Stewardship

· Pathfinder-Missions, the Core Value of Compassion

· Trailblazer-First Aid, Evangelism Caravan groups can report the number of kits to the General Caravan office, just for informational purposes. It's not a contest.

Please report the name of your church and what you have sent on the Caravan message boards.
The Official Caravan message board located at http://domino.nazarene.org/forums/caravan_leaders.nsf. The website and message board for ShareCaravan, a lay-developed Caravan site, is found at http://sharecaravan.org.

Due to the number of CCKs used in assisting Katrina victims the amount of CCKs available for use in other disaster sites have been depleted. Replenishing the inventory of CCKs is vital.

Because of problems with customs, those in Canada have been advised to make monetary donations rather than sending CCKs.

CCKs are being accepted when mailed within the United States.

Here are instructions (from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries) on compiling and sending Crisis Care Kits:
1. Gather items in the quantities listed below. Assemble CCKs and seal the zip-lock bags.
Include only those items listed on the inventory.
Set the CCKs in groups of six (6) to determine the number of banana boxes needed.

INSTRUCTIONS: Into one 2-GALLON ZIPLOC BAG put the following items: · One (1) medium size bottle of shampoo (12 to 18 oz)
· Two (2) bars of soap (bath size or larger)
· One (1) medium toothpaste (4.0 to 6.4 oz)
· Three (3) toothbrushes
· One (1) box of Band-Aids (30 or more)
· One (1) fingernail clipper
· One (1) sturdy hair comb
· Two (2) hand towels
· Four (4) pocket-size packages of facial tissue
· One (1) Beanie Baby size stuffed toy
2. Obtain banana boxes from your local grocery store. Banana boxes provide uniformity, eliminating wasted space in shipping.

3. Cut the heavy brown paper (usually found in the banana box) in half and tape half on the bottom of the box and the other half inside the lid. (Cardboard could be used in the same way.)

4. Fill each box with six (6) CCKs-no more, no less. Inventory must match what is in the box.

5. After packing the banana box, place Crisis Care Kits Box Inventory inside the box. Using strong packing tape, tape shut the holes in the top and the bottom of the box. Then tape the box securely shut according to the diagram (on the webpage). Please leave box handles open, this makes it easier to load and unload.

6. Do not insert money or literature (including anything with the church's name on it, notes, etc.) in the CCKs or banana boxes.

7. Please put both "To" and "From" addresses on the box.

8. Do not wrap banana boxes in brown paper or contact paper. The wrapping tears or hangs on the rollers of conveyors. Do not put filled banana boxes inside another box.

9. Send the boxes to the following (depending on method of shipping):
From the western portion of the U.S.A., please send CCKs to: Hands of Hope
Attn: Liz Murtland
1201 S. Powerline Road
Nampa, ID 83686

From the eastern portion of the U.S.A., please send CCKs to:

For shipping via the Postal Service: Nazarene Relief Shipments
Attn: Mr. John Borgal
PO Box 117
Fawn Grove, PA 17321-0117
For shipping other than the Postal Service: Nazarene Relief Shipments
Attn: Mr. John Borgal
5300 Fawn Grove Road
Pylesville, MD 21132
10. Send a check-made payable to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene -in the amount of $12.00 per banana box (for storage and shipping costs during the distribution process). Ten Percent Credit will be allowed for the $12.00 shipping donation only. Do not put the money in the CCKs or banana boxes.

Mark the check, "Crisis Care Kits ACM1297," and mail to:
General Treasurer's Office
Church of the Nazarene
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64131-1213
Be sure to include the name and address of your church with the check.

Additional information on Crisis Care Kits is available at the NCM web page:
http://www.ncmi.org/giving_opportunities/2005_CCK_instructions.pdf.

Other questions regarding CCKs should be directed to 1-800-214-4999.

--Contributed by Peter Shovak, Caravan Associate Editor

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Caravan in Eastern Kentucky

The new Caravan that debuted in July 2004 has met the demands of churches who desire to utilize their mid-week children’s program as a tool to reach kids and their families in their surrounding communities. The story below represents one of many E-mails, letters, and phone calls the General Caravan Office has received giving testimony to how the new Caravan program is working in the local church.

This year our church is participating in Caravan for the first time. We started with 20 participants. It turns out, we've added more every week, and now we have at least 38 kids participating regularly in the program.

We were averaging 7-8 kids in our Sunday morning worship, and only two on Sunday nights, one of which is my own son, the pastor's kid. Now we average 18-20 on Sunday mornings, and we have 34-36 on Wednesday nights. Not to mention the parents who are now attending regularly and helping out with Caravan. It's been a wonderful source of church growth and ministry to our children! The kids are quoting scriptures from memory more and more each week!

We spent several weeks advertising Caravan from the pulpit. We provided sign-up sheets and displayed the T-shirts and pictures of badges to get kids and parents pumped up. After that, Caravan sort of sold itself. The kids loved it and started inviting their friends.

We pulled the kids into Sunday morning two ways. We send flyers home with the kids almost every Wednesday night to tell about what we are doing on Sundays, and we try to make contact with the parents when they drop them off and pick them up. Also, every Wednesday night during Caravan, we have a group of adults upstairs praying for our kids, their families, and our teachers. A group of adults goes out every few weeks and makes "cookie visits" to the families of the Caravan kids to invite them to church. We scheduled our first Awards Ceremony on a Sunday morning to get the families there for the first time.

Just this past week, we set up a puppet stage and a trick-or-treat booth to pass out candy at the park. We used this to advertise Caravan as well. People in our church who never volunteered are jumping in to help because they see the excitement on the kids' faces, and they want to be a part of it.

I can testify to the change in my own son. I started Caravan, so he would have something to look forward to on Wednesdays. He's in Benson's Buddies. He gets up for school excited on Wednesday morning because he has Caravan that night. In less than two weeks he memorized the Caravan motto and the verse for the candle lighting ceremony. He also knows all of the pledges. It's the first time, as a pastor's kid, that he has actually wanted to go to church because he has to be there all the time anyway. It's been worth all of the work just for him. Thanks again!

Kelly Daniels, Caravan Director

Ravenna Church of the Nazarene

Eastern Kentucky District

Do you have a story you would like to share? Have you registered your local Caravan program? Do you want to know more about Caravan and how it can work for your local church? Contact the General Caravan office at Caravan@nazarene.org or 1-888-644-4510 ext. 2242 for more information.

--Contributed by Suzanne Cook, Caravan Editor

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Preteen Purity Adventure

For many, the sixth-grade year is a "rite of passage" into the youth department. Consider a retreat (not co-ed!) specifically designed to teach purity to your Adventurers while they earn the Christian Living and Camping badges.

Purpose: To provide a retreat for a time of reflecting on God’s plans for their lives and learning God’s Word. Provide a "rite of passage" event for Adventurers as they transition into the youth department. Have fun!

Location: Pitch tents on the lawn of the church or in a state park. Consider the fellowship hall of your church or the backyard of a guide, pastor, or parent. Note: You will want to secure permission before you set up camp.

Curriculum: Focus on the requirements and structure of the Camping and Christian Living badge for your retreat outline. The sessions for both badges will become the skill session and the devotional time. (See the table below.)

Guest Speaker: Invite your youth pastor to be the speaker for the retreat. Explain that the devotion outline is coordinated with the skill session and fulfills requirements for the Christian Living badge.

Program: If time, space, staff, and budget allow, consider these additional badges for your retreat: Cooking, Photography, Worship, Drama, First Aid, and Environment.

Option: A leadership component can be added as Adventurers help plan for worship and activities.

Plan for three teaching/devotional sessions during your retreat. Prior to the devotion, complete the coordinating badge requirement. These will coincide with the three sessions to complete the requirements for the Camping badge

Session	Camping Badge	Christian Living Badge
1	Planning for a camping trip	Make a plan to live a pure life for God. Learn a biblical definition of living a pure life. What tools do I need to live a pure life? How do understanding and applying the fruit of the Spirit give me the proper tools?
2	Assemble necessary camping supplies, and properly pack them into backpacks. Learn proper fire safety standards. Learn procedures to pitch a tent.	Learn the definition of holiness/ sanctification. How can living a holy life help you have a vital relationship with Jesus and a pure relationship with others?
3	Learn survival skills to survive if lost.	Learn spiritual survival skills. When you are "alone" in your faith, what are some survival skills you need?

--Contributed by Suzanne Cook, Caravan Editor

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