A sports holiday club provides an opportunity for children to have fun with sports activities during school breaks while also introducing them to Christianity. The document provides guidance on organizing a sports holiday club, including choosing appropriate dates and venues, recruiting volunteers, following child protection policies, and using curriculum materials that integrate sports themes with Bible lessons. The goal is to share the gospel with children in a memorable week and potentially attract them to ongoing church programs.

1. Information is taken from Verité Sport which exists to promote a Christian presence in sport,
to take the teachings of the Bible (God's Holy Word) and to apply them to sport.
http://www.veritesport.org/
How to Run a Sports Holiday Club
The opportunity
Children's holiday clubs are a tried and tested way of giving children a really memorable
week, one which is full of fun and games and through which they will have an opportunity to
hear the good news of Jesus Christ. A well-organised and responsible club will also be
appreciated by parents and enable good links to be established. Scripture Union have
produced material entitled "Go For Gold" that can be used in conjunction with a major
sporting event. It can easily be adapted to any situation and it has a proven track record.
The purpose
By following the "Go For Gold" material children will hear about Jesus through a variety of
ways. However, a holiday club further provides an opportunity to really get to know the
children in depth and to develop responsible and caring relationships with them. You may
also want to use the club strategically and encourage the children to join in with your existing
activities once the club has finished.
The practicalities
* Choose a good week for the club, when plenty of people are around during holiday time.
* Choose a suitable venue to host the club that is easily accessible and which fulfils health
and safety requirements.
* Gather together a small team of leaders who will co-ordinate the week's activities and do a
lot of the organising.
* Fix up regular planning meetings.
* Decide whether you want to invite only children from within your church, or whether you
also want to invite those who don't currently attend.
* Decide on the number of children you want to invite. This will depend on the number of
helpers you are able to enlist as well as the size of your premises.
* Agree on the age range of the children you intend to invite.
* Inform Social Services that the club is taking place. If you run the club for more than six
days then you will actually need to register with Social Services. If you are in any doubt as to
what you should do then, contact your Local Day Care Advisor who will be able to help you.
* Ensure that all leaders of the club fulfil child protection requirements.
* Check that your insurance policy covers all the activities you are planning for the club.

2. * Prepare a budget for the things you will need and decide whether or not you're going to
charge.
* Produce attractive publicity advertising the holiday club and distribute it well in advance.
* Purchase the relevant teaching materials (see suggested materials below).
* Pray regularly for the holiday club.
Useful hints and tips
* Ask permission to go into your local primary school to advertise the club. They may give
you an assembly slot.
* Ensure that all children who attend the club have written consent from parents.
* Have an appropriate number of leaders. Scripture Union suggests the following as a guide:
0-2 years - 1 adult to every 3 children
2-3 years - 1 adult to every 4 children
3-8 years - 1 adult to every 8 children
Over 8s - 1 adult for the first 8, followed by one for every 12
* Holiday clubs are a good way of including teenagers in the leading and planning of an
event, so try to get a few on board.
* Find out if anyone in your area has run a holiday club before and seek their wisdom.
* Invite parents along to a special guest service where the children who have taken part in
the holiday club can be presented with medals or a certificate.
Suggested materials
Going For Gold - holiday club resource book and teaching material. ISBN: 185999329X. This
can be ordered from your local Christian bookshop or from Scripture Union direct, Tel: 01908
856000.
Nuts and bolts - All you need to know about running a holiday club. This book is produced by
Scripture Union, ISBN: 1 85999 01669.
Further information
Useful website: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/holidayclubs