Kraft Patrol

The Kraft Patrol segment of club seeks to illustrate in a visual or physical way, the spiritual truth of the week. The goal is to encapsulate each lesson's concept into a take-home activity designed to remind the younger clubbers of the week's Bible principal. Later during the week as he sees his craft at home, he will remember at least some of what he earned. It makes a great conversation starter for parents as well. Once again, the more ways a child experiences a concept, the more likely he is to remember it long term.

Another objective for the craft time involves the Standard and Armor Bearers. Soon these clubbers will be old enough to help in junior church or nursery. This supervised service time (called Service Corps) will provide training for the sixth graders on how to interact with younger children and be helpful servants.

 

The Structure

During Kraft Patrol the Scouts and Marchers go into their small groups with their own officer, just as in the De-Briefing time. A KP Officer brings some of the Bearer clubbers in. They have prepared the craft the week before. The KP Officer explains the connection between craft and the weekly Bible truth they are learning (Kraft Konnection). A Standard or Armor Bearer sits down with each small group and shows the younger children how to make their craft. He or she then helps them complete it. As they finish up, the Scout or Marcher officer in each group discusses the application once more, as directed in the OPs manual.

For this to go smoothly week after week, obviously a great deal of planning and preparation must take place. That's why we suggest having a KP Captain and KP Officers whose only job is to organize and orchestrate this part of the club meeting. If you think this is a lot of trouble to go to, keep in mind the objectives. We have found that the Scouts and Marchers do learn and remember the Bible truth better because of the craft (which they love to do!). We have also seen nervous sixth graders who are scared to go into the younger clubbers' rooms develop into confident helpers, eager to spend time teaching the little ones who admire and respect them. The benefits exceed the work.

Note that the Standard and Armor Bearer Captains and Officers should stay with their clubbers through this whole process. They should help the Bearers prepare the craft. They should also go with them to the Scouts or Marchers room and oversee their involvement with the younger children.