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site last updated:
Friday 7th August 2009, 6:00pm (UK Time)
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Children & Youth |
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Livewires |
Livewires
Every Friday (during term time) from 6:00pm-7:15pm
Livewires is a children’s activity club for 7-11
year olds (school years 3, 4, 5, 6) and takes place in the Hall
at DCF every Friday (term-time) from 6.00pm – 7.15pm.
Currently, approximately 26 children attend each week.
The evening begins with registration (subs are
£1) and then the children join in with some action songs which
have proved to be very popular. This a nurture bed for budding
singers and actors for the twice yearly plays/musicals which the
‘Livewire's” perform.
Other activities include various types of art and
craft work which the children are then able to take home; fast
games (both indoor and outdoor); quiet (!) games; quizzes; table
top rallies; acting in teams; discussions and more.
The purpose for the plays/musicals/discussions/stories is to
give the children an understanding of Christian ideals and
morals which are not necessarily put forward in schools, so they
can have a balanced view of the choices they have before them in
their lives.
Every week a child is chosen as Livewire of the week
depending on behaviour and helpfulness and receives a
small prize. Every month the children are asked ten
random questions and the one who gets the most marks is
Livewire of the month and gets a prize. The evening closes with a story and a prayer.
The children have visited old people’s homes to
sing to the residents and enjoy singing and acting in the
previously mentioned plays/musicals. To date, the children have
performed plays/musicals entitled The Grumpy Shepherd; One Day;
Jabez; An Angel’s Story; The Big Ten, The Grumpy Shepherd
(Expanded Version), In The Beginning, It's Just Amazing.
They have also
recorded and released four CD’s. The first was called
“Livewires Live” and was made up of songs written by the
children with music by one of the leaders. The children were
featured on Meridian Television singing one of the songs from
the CD. The next was “An Angel’s Story” with all ‘home grown’
material and the next CD was a compilation “What Song Do You
Want……” which featured songs from the last two CD’s plus brand
new songs from The Big Ten play. Most recently a fourth CD
was released called "Christmas with Livewires". The children have become
remarkably good at learning words and new songs in a very short
time.
Each year sees the Sports Day which
takes place on the DCF field adjacent to the church. No
modern style of going round each ‘game’ but rather old
style games such as the sack race; egg and spoon race;
three legged race; tunnel ball; skipping etc with
cheering parents sat either side of the field. Younger
children / youth club / parents all have a chance to run
their own races too. Following the Sports Day there is a
BBQ for parents, children and the Youth Club.
All the leaders have taken the DCF Child
Protection Course in association with CCPAS (Churches Child
Protection Advisory Service) and are CRB checked. They are all
fully involved in the ministry and work at DCF.
Livewires have received grants from The Kent
Community Foundation, The East Kent Coalfields Community Chest
and Awards for All. The leaders would like to thank these
organisations for their financial help which has helped to
create such a vibrant club for the young people of Deal. So much
so, that since January 2006 a “Little Livewires” has begun
every Friday from 5.00pm – 5.50pm for children in Reception/
Year 1 and Year 2.
The children are encouraged to be friendly and tolerant with
each other and to understand that they are all unique and
important. This makes Livewires Club a place where all are
welcome. The children are expected to keep simple rules :1
listen to the leaders 2 No shouting 3 Stay inside hall
unless gives permission to leave 4 You must have fun! Over
the 6 years that Livewires have been meeting, keeping these
rules has been sufficient to keep discipline and harmony
between the kids and the leaders.
Livewires
Leaders: Maureen Forder, Katie Clague, Shirley Smith,
Joy Forder, Sandra Viney
Please email
info@dcf-online.co.uk
for more details.
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