A Little Something About Me!!! Guest Post by Kelsey Jenney
As our team planned the Winter/Spring semester last January we were throwing out lots of ideas for unique club options. Oftentimes for our team, it is a hard schedule to think creatively about because our Capernaum Clubs all have themes, and that semester is a tad longer than the Fall for us... More Clubs, More Themes!
As the planning time was coming to a close, one of our leaders said something about Show and Tell… WHAT a great idea! Our friends could bring in something for Club they want to show and tell us about! A chance to learn more about our friends, and to give every person time upfront—Always a Win!
Sherry, sent an email with instructions to parents.Club for this Tuesday is Show and Tell! Sooooo, our Friends can bring something they want to share with their Friends about their life. We want to learn more about each other and this is a great way of showing "your stuff"! Come with something you want to share with your friends, whether it be a picture, an item, a memory, whatever! We want to know you each other better! Hope to see you this Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 pm at Ward.
Our first Tuesday in May, Show and Tell Club, now named "A Little Something About Me"… HOORAY! (The Saline Capernaum Club called it, All About Me, this Fall.)
Simply stated, it was a night of PURE JOY!!! As a team we have decided we will do this every year... yes, that MUCH of a win!
As our friends arrived they could not wait to share what they had brought. Movies, baby books, DS Players, Dance Moves, Art, and so much more! For some of our friends who are non-verbal, parents or staff explained what they had brought with them. This way Leaders and Buddies were aware when it was their turn what the object was, and a little about what it meant for our friend.
We always start with a craft at our Club, and that night the craft was decorating picture frames. We painted wooden picture frames, and let them dry during Club! Then while our friends were presenting, one leader took photos of them with their Show and Tell item! At our Camp Fundraiser, a Talent/Variety Show, a few weeks later, these frames were displayed everywhere around the venue and could be taken home that night by the families.
There was a Club Talk about how we are created by God, designed for a purpose and how He DELIGHTS in us. We sang one song, and then had our time of sharing.
Two things that stick out to me still from this Club, were how much excitement filled our room from beginning to end. So much JOY wall to wall, and the chance for each young adult to share more of themselves! Our friends were given a space to share about WHO they are, and we learned SO much about what they like to do at home, are talented at, what they find special or value, and things they enjoy. Especially our friends Ty and Gabby. Ty and Gabby are brother and sister… They are incredibly sweet, come every week to Capernaum, and brighten up the room. Their Staff are always at Capernaum with Ty and Gabby, they know them really well and help us communicate with them. What was such a GIFT was watching Ty bring in his firetruck, and Gabby an iPad with her music on it. It was a beautiful way to learn more about Ty and Gabby from Ty and Gabby. They had space to
Our friends would present one at a time, and the CHEERS at the end of each sharing time was an explosion of utter Celebration! Applause for everyone, SO much applause, for everyone and every thing! Affirmation given, questions answered, and wanting to look more closely at DVD players and important stuffed animals!
We also found out our friend Danny is an INCREDIBLE artist. We have used his work now to auction off for camp scholarship money, and gifts for leaders. Sam shared her baby book, Micah his DS Player, dancing from Rachel, movies from Adam, and SO much more!
The BEST part of the night was when parents came for pick-up and everyone started introducing their parents. All of sudden we had parents upfront and our young adults were introducing them one at a time! Seriously, THE BEST! “I’m Meredith, and this is my Mom,” no one wanted to stop sharing!
The time up front was a definite win for our friends, they loved to show and explain what they brought, but I also believe the applause for each person was something so tender. Each person in that room left that night Celebrated, Known, and VALUED!
"A Little Something About Me"… WILL be an Annual Club for us and easily one of my FAVORITE Nights!
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