STEP 1: Order Caravan materials.

1. Caravan Starter Kit (grades 1-6)The Caravan Starter Kit includes one of each teacher book (guide book) and pupil book (handbook) for grades 1-6, the training booklet, and a Planning and Attendance Record Book. To order the Caravan starter kit for a 30-day review, call the Nazarene Publishing House toll-free number 1-800-877-0700.

2. Benson's Buddies (early childhood)
Benson's Buddies, the preschool Caravan program, may be used with children ages 4-6 (not in first grade). The Benson's Buddies program curriculum includes a teacher's book and visual packet. To order the Year 1 curriculum of this two year program, call the Nazarene Publishing House toll-free number 1-800-877-0700 and request the Year 1 Benson's Buddies leader's guide and visual packet

3. Caravan Publicity Folder
The Caravan Publicity Folder (order number C-101) provides an overview of the entire program (Benson's Buddies, Searcher, Explorer, and Adventurer). It is an ideal tool to introduce the program to Caravan volunteers, parents, and the local church.

STEP 2: Become familiar with the materials.

1. CLT Training
Read the Continuing Lay Training Caravan booklet, How to Begin a Caravan Ministry , and the introductory pages of the teacher (guide) books. The local Caravan director should hold a training session, or invite the district Caravan to hold a training session for Caravan volunteers (teachers and helpers).

2. Pupil Book (handbook), Teacher Book (guide book), Caravan Planning and Attendance Book
Each teacher should receive a teacher (guide) book and pupil (handbook) for the assigned group. The guide book and the Caravan Planning and Attendance book provide the teacher with a suggested teaching plan for the year.

STEP 3: Determine the number of classes needed.

We recommend classes of one teacher for 8 to 12 students. A smaller club group enables teachers and students to quickly become acquainted, build relationships, and do more as a class. It also helps reduce discipline problems that can occur in a large-group setting.

The Caravan organization structure is very flexible. It is adaptable to any size church.

Small Caravan Group Arrangement
Benson's Buddies: Include all children ages 4-6 who are not in first grade.
Searcher: Combine first and second grade boys and girls.
Explorer: Combine third and fourth grade boys and girls.
Adventurer: Combine fifth and sixth grade boys and girls.

Medium Caravan Group Arrangement
Benson's Buddies: Select one option.
Option 1: Create two classes.

Class 1: Combine four-, five-, and six-year old girls.
Class 2: Combine four-, five-, and six-year old boys.

Option 2: Create two classes.

Class 1: Combine four-year-old boys and girls.
Class 2: Combine five- and six-year-old boys and girls.

Searcher: select one option.
Option 1: Create two classes.

Class 1: Combine first grade boys and girls.
Class 2: Combine second grade boys and girls.

Option 2: Create two classes.

Class 1: Combine first and second grade girls.
Class 2: Combine first and second grade boys.

 

Explorer: Select one option.
Option 1: Create two classes.

Class 1: Combine third grade boys and girls.
Class 2: Combine fourth grade boys and girls.

Option 2: Create two classes.

Class 1: Combine third and fourth grade girls.
Class 2: Combine third and fourth grade boys.

Adventurer, select one option.
Option 1: Create two classes.

Class 1: Combine fifth grade boys and girls.
Class 2: Combine sixth grade boys and girls.

Option 2: Create two classes.

Class 1: Combine fifth and sixth grade girls.
Class 2: Combine fifth and sixth grade boys.

Large Caravan Group Arrangement
Benson's Buddies, 3 classes

Class 1: four-year-olds
Class 2: five-year-olds
Class 3: six-year-olds, not yet in first grade

Searcher, 4 classes
Class 1: first grade boys
Class 2: first grade girls
Class 3: second grade boys
Class 4: second grade girls

Explorer, 4 classes
Class 1: third grade boys
Class 2: third grade girls

Class 3: fourth grade boys
Class 4: fourth grade girls

Adventurer, 4 classes
Class 1: fifth grade boys
Class 2: fifth grade girls

Class 3: sixth grade boys
Class 4: sixth grade girls

Question: What do we do if we have a large number of children in one age group and a small number of children in another age group?

Answer: You can mix and match the arrangements. For example, if you have a large number of first and second graders, you may want to use the large group arrangement for Searchers and offer four classes, a boy's class and a girl's class for each grade. If you have a medium number of fifth and sixth grades, you may want to use the medium arrangement for Adventurers by offering two classes, one class for fifth and sixth graders girls and one class for fifth and sixth grade boys.

 

STEP 4: Order Supplies, as Needed
Order Caravan books, uniforms, and badges as needed.

STEP 5: Register Your Local Caravan Ministry with the Caravan Office
Registration can be completed online at http://caravan.nazarene.org. We also will accept registrations by fax or mail. Complete and send an annual registration form to the general Caravan office in September. The registration form is available under the Applications & Registration menu.

Caravan Office
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66220
Fax: (913) 577-0873
 

STEP 6: Plan the Year
The Caravan workers form the Caravan Committee. The local Caravan director serves as the chairperson. The Caravan Committee meets five times during the year.

Organizational Meeting

1. Set the starting and ending dates for the Caravan year.
2. Mark the dates Caravan will not meet due to holidays or church events, such as revivals.
3. Set the date for the February Blue and White Dinner.
4. Set the dates for all the Caravan ceremonies (Induction, Badge, Graduation).
5. Plan Caravan Sunday, the third Sunday of October.
6. Plan a local sign-up/registration night.
7. Explain the record-keeping procedure for each teacher to follow. Prepare a Six-Year Individual Record form for each child. This is the official record form you will use to submit award requests to the general Caravan office.
8. Prepare the Caravan calendar for your ministry. Give a copy to all Caravan workers, Caravan families, local church leaders, and the church office.
9. Discuss and review all Caravan policies such as discipline, worker absence, child absence, location and purchase of supplies, and budget procedures.
   
   

August Meeting (To plan the September-October-November quarter)

November Meeting (plan December-January-February quarter)

February Meeting (plan March-April-May quarter)

Yearly Wrap-up