Reach Out!

Reach new children. Reach new families. Reach the community. The 2005-06 Caravan theme, Reach Out! is a theme that focuses on reaching out through ministry projects in Caravan.

Why Reach Out?

Caravan is used widely by churches to reach new children and parents in their local communities. The new Caravan curriculum was specifically designed to help churches reach children and their families. Ministry projects written into the new Caravan are designed to help local Caravan programs reach new children and their families, as well as various members of the community. Combine your creativity and Caravan to reach new children and their families.

Different Ways to Reach Out!

Think through what you do as a local church or district. How can you utilize the skill badges that have “fun and flair” in a way to reach new children? How can ministry projects be incorporated to reach out?

Ways to incorporate the “Reach Out” theme:

1. Look at Caravan year as a whole. Consider the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter), Caravan events (Round-Up, Caravan Sunday, The Blue and White Dinner, Caravan Graduation and Badge Ceremonies) and find “entry points”. Utilize “entry point” events.

Entry Point Events – are evangelism/outreach events. They are intentional opportunities to invite visitors and introduce them to Caravan and the local church. Before the start of the Caravan year, the leadership team should meet together to plan the Caravan year. During this time, plan to have one “entry point” event for visitors each quarter (or more if you would like).

2. After evangelistic opportunities. Choose fun-filled activities that have a “Reach Out” bent, interest guides and kids, and are workable with your churches, resources and budget. Fun skill badges can draw large crowds from the community and from friends of the current Caravan children.
Here are some examples of badges:

Searcher/Quester – Party Planning, Camping, Pets
Searcher/Hunter – Sports and Fitness, Birds, Botany

Explorer/Sentry – Hiking, Team Building, Gymnastics
Explorer/Scout – Action Sports, Children’s Ministries, Water Sports

Adventurer/Pathfinder – Sports, Puppets, Drama, Entertaining, Archery
Adventurer/Trailblazer – Athletics, Camping, Car Care

3. Approach community members. Many community services are already available to help teach badges (Fire and Police Departments, state parks, hospital/paramedic services). Think of other businesses that are not normally approached (oil change companies, pet stores, bakeries). This is a great opportunity to introduce your church to local businesses and services in a different way.

This year in 2005-06, Reach Out! to new children and families with Caravan.