What is a Badge Ceremony?The badge ceremony is a time when children receive recognition for the badges they have earned by completing the designated badge requirements.
What is the purpose of the Badge Ceremony?
• Recognize Accomplishments - The badge ceremony is designed to recognize the accomplishments of the children and help them understand and experience that every skill learned is a skill for life.
• Highlight Ministry Projects - It will help children recognize the importance of serving God with their skills and lives.
• Highlight Community/Parent Relations -The ceremony provides opportunities for local Caravan programs to intentionally reach out to the community, un-churched children, and their parents. It can provide an "Entry Point"* into your Caravan program.
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"Entry Point" events are evangelism/outreach events that are intentional opportunities to invite visitors and introduce them to Caravan and the local church. The Caravan leadership team can plan for badge ceremonies to be an "E-Event."
When is a Badge Ceremony Held? Whom does it include?It is best to present badges as soon as possible. This emphasizes that the badge is important, and it provides immediate reinforcement for completing an assignment. It also encourages other children to complete badge requirements so they can receive the same badge.
A badge ceremony may be held each quarter, each month, or at the completion of an individual badge. Badge ceremonies should be held at least every three months.
• At the end of each badge - This is the recommended option. Each badge is divided into four sessions. The fourth session is an optional session that can be used for an extra session, ministry project, or a fun night related to the completed badge. Consider holding the badge ceremony during this fourth session in conjunction with the activities during the session. It can take place in the individual classrooms and can include Caravan children and workers.
• Once a quarter - You can award badges at the completion of approximately three badges (or three months). A quarterly ceremony can take place at the end of November, February, and May. Generally, quarterly presentations are more formal and include Caravan children, workers, families, and friends. These ceremonies are held during the weekly Caravan meeting, before or during a church service, or on a weekend night. A quarterly ceremony may also be casual and include only Caravan children and workers.
Badge ceremonies include children and Caravan staff (guides and directors) and can include parents, community leaders that assisted in the earning of the badge, as well as the children's pastor/director and/or the senior pastor.
Can the Badge Ceremony be adapted to different styles of Caravan?Each Caravan ministry is unique. Badge ceremonies can be adapted to fit local ministries. Variations can reflect the emphasis of your entire Caravan program. Consider the following options:
• Evangelism - Utilize the fourth optional session of the badge for Explorer and Adventurer or an appropriate session for the Searcher badge. Children can invite their friends and family to the badge ceremony with the purpose of introducing them to the various ministries offered by the church.
• Discipleship - The badge ceremony can be student-led and organized to continue to train children in ministry projects while emphasizing the Core Value associated with the badge earned.
• Kids Club Caravan - This "activities approach" to Caravan may or may not earn and award badges like the traditional Caravan model. It is still recommended that children receive badges only IF they have legitimately earned them. Your Kids Club can operate on a "loose and flexible" Caravan model on a weekly basis, but the badge ceremony can provide structure in this model.
Formal Badge CeremonyThe formal badge ceremony is geared toward programs that operate the traditional scouting Caravan. Invite parents and families of children to the ceremony as an opportunity to introduce the ministry of Caravan to parents and families. Here is an outline for the formal badge ceremony:
Formal Badge Ceremony: Welcome Pledges to the Flags (national and Christian)
Caravan Candle Lighting Caravan Motto Devotional (optional)
Presentation of Badges Benson's Buddies Presentation of unit certificates for completed studies
Searcher Hunter and Quester Searcher Pledge (said as a group)
Presentation of completed badges
Explorer Sentry and Scout Explorer Pledge (said as a group)
Presentation of completed badges
Adventurer Pathfinder and Trailblazer Adventurer Pledge (said as a group)
Presentation of completed badges
Dismissal