Well, it has been over a year since I have updated this website. I apologize for that.  I did not lose interest in Caravan, just was kept busy trying to keep everything together.  I was Guide for the Explorer's for the second year, with one difference.  The church I go to used to separate by grade.  Which I am sure was good at one time.  Unfortunately, the amount of kids and the availability of guides was dwindling.  We combined classes this year.  Searcher's and Explorers were put together.  There was opposition, but we couldn't do it any other way.

 I hate to admit it, but the program is in a decline.  The talk is already out there, that maybe we need to rethink having Caravan.  I for one oppose even thinking this.  If we don't have Caravan, what do we have?  Here we have a very good program and materials.  What we really need is to rethink how we go about Caravan.

 This year I have decided to once again be a Director.  I really enjoyed it when I was Director at my previous Church.  I was asked right away when I started at this Church if I wanted to be Director and I said no.  I really wanted to get to know the kids and parents a little better, before trying to lead.  I am glad I did, I have learned a lot.

I feel a big problem is that not many in the Church know there is a Wednesday night children's program.  Very little happens at our Church on Wednesdays.  Only the teen groups meet at the church.  Most of the adult groups are now small group studies in people's homes.  This means that not many families with children come on Wednesday nights.  Last year choir started on Wednesdays, but only 1 or two come from that. 

In the future I would like to see some kind of Bible study that parents could go to Wednesday nights, as a few parents sit in the Narthex during Caravan.  I have mentioned this, but have to focus on Caravan for the time being before I can think of trying to get a class started up.

 So what am i going to work on this year?  Trying to get more kids.  I have someone helping me design a display board for the Narthex, trying to get it done in time for VBS.  Advertising is going to be a big thing.  I also want to make sure I work with Upwards Basketball.  Right now that is the biggest children's program in the church, but we don't retain any kids from it.  It is a ripe field, waiting for harvest.  

I am also going to find ways to get Caravan in front of people.  One thing I want to do, is have a Caravan Sunday, where Caravaner's are involved in morning service.  Announcements are discouraged in morning worship, so if I can get the kids to do things, like help take offering, then it would just be a mention, and people would see our program as more than an announcement. 

My immediate concern, before Caravan starts is getting help.  We are a large church, but boy is it hard to get help.  As a Director I would really like to be free on Wednesday nights.  This way I can work on Caravan related things, and go around to classes and see how they are doing.  I also want to make a presentation for Upwards, and I need time to take pictures, film and put together.  I will teach a class if need, but would rather not.

I will try to keep you posted as things go.  If you have any ideas or questions, please go to the forum and post.  You do have to register, as I had problems with spammers, but don't worry, I will not release anyone's information.  Thank you for taking the time to read this, and keep in touch.