not to be served but to serve.. [Matthew 20 v28]

Crowstone Christian Centre

Activities and Groups for Children and Young People

After Schools Club [Tuesdays 4.00 - 5.30 pm, during term time]

After it's break the Church welcomes the return of The After Schools club for children aged between 5 and 11 years old. All children within this age group are welcome to come along and have fun. A typical afternoon's programme includes team games, arts and crafts, drink and snack, storytime and board games. The cost is just £ 1.50 per session per child. We ask that all children be registered by a parent or carer and that a consent and medical form is completed for each child. The children can now also stay for tea at an additional cost of £2.

For more information contact Maggie Hebden, Lesley Raggett or April Dayer

Youth Club [Wednesday 6.00 - 7.30 pm, during term time]

The Youth Club for children aged 11-16 years old. A variety of activities available - table tennis, pool, football, drama and craft. The group also enjoy cooking each week and the cost is just £2 per session per child.

For more information contact Maggie Hebden or April Dayer

Crowstone Pre-School Family Club [Fridays 9.30 - 11.30 am, during term time]

The Crowstone Pre-School Family Club caters for children from 0-5 years old with their parents or carers. We provide a wide range of free play activities for the children and the opportunity for parents and carers to meet each other over a cup of coffee or tea. Play activities include slides and play tents, duplo, waffle bricks, Thomas the Tank Engine train sets, a separate baby corner and role play toys, to name a few. We also try to include activities such as play dough, drawing, sticking and crafts and magic painting, though not all of these will be provided each week! Coffee, tea and biscuits are provided free of charge to the adults, and a drink and biscuit is provided for all children mid-morning. The session usually closes with music and singing. The club is very popular with approximately 25 - 30 families attending each week. We have 50 families on our register and operate a waiting list when we are fully subscribed. We ask for a donation of £ 2.00 per family unit per session. Parents and carers remain responsible for their own children at all times.

For more information contact Lesley Raggett on the Centre number

Holiday Clubs [Times and dates vary]

Crowstone St George's URC runs a variety of holiday clubs through the year for children aged 5 - 11 years old. The most popular is our summer holiday club, run 5 mornings a week during a week in August. We include parachute games, storytime, music and singing, a variety of art and craft activities, team games and mid-morning drink and snack. The week's activities are based around a central theme for example, last year we had 'Monsters Stink' and much fun was had by all the 'monsters'!

Children must be registered by a parent or carer and a consent and medical form completed. Our holiday clubs are very competitively priced this year for for 5 mornings 9th - 13th August the cost will be £25! with a slight reduction for siblings. Watch this space for details of future clubs which will follow soon.

For more information contact Maggie Hebden our Youth and Children's Worker

Paint Pots Pre-School [Monday to Friday 9.30 am - 12.00 pm] [Monday & Wednesday 12.30 - 2.30 pm]

Although not run by the Church, Crowstone Christian Centre is home to Paint Pots Pre-School, and has been so for many years. The pre-school caters for children aged from 2 and a half to 5 years, and has recently been awarded Accreditation by the Pre-School Learning Alliance. An excellent range of activities are provided in a large hall that is divided into separate areas for different interests such as water, play dough, painting, a story corner, puzzles, bricks and more. The children also have a drink and snack time mid-session. The environment offers a wide range of learning experiences, helping children to learn from observing others at play, experimenting for themselves and being guided by adults. The pre-school enjoys a warm and friendly atmosphere, with caring and experienced staff, and each child is allocated a keyworker who liaises with parents regularly. It is the pre-school policy to accept all children who are able to cope with the pre-school environment regardless of their abilities, religion or nationality. The pre-school also enjoys close links with Crowstone Pre-School Family Club.

The pre-school is managed by supervisor Sue Newton and she welcomes enquiries (01702 341655.

1st Chalkwell Bay Beavers, Cubs and Scouts

1st Chalkwell Bay Scout Group was established at Crowstone Church in 1914 and at St Albans Church in 1999. Meeting times are as follows (school term time only):

Mondays 5.30 - 6.30pm Beavers Age 6-7 years (Crowstone)
6.00 - 7.30 pm Cubs Age 8 -10 years (Crowstone)
Tuesdays 5.15 - 6.15 pm Beavers Age 6-7 years (St Albans)
6.30 - 8.00 pm Cubs Age 8 - 10 years (St Albans)
7.30 - 9.00 pm Scout Troop Age 10 - 13 years (Crowstone)

There is also a monthly church parade at each church.

Potential members usually visit for a few weeks to try out a range of activities. After your child has visited for a few weeks, they (and you) will be asked if they want to be invested as a member of the Group. They will need to have completed the Membership Requirements for the Section (usually done as part of the weekly meetings), learned their Law and Promise, and to have bought a uniform. The new member's family are welcome to come and watch the investiture.

Membership fees (or Subs) are £2 per week while you settle in. Once invested, we charge £60 per year which includes the national Scout Association Membership Subscription. This can be paid as a single sum, or termly or monthly whichever is easiest for you. This sum is expected whether you child attends or not.

The meetings are built around a Structured Training Scheme and generally include games and other activities appropriate to the age range. During fine weather we try to have some visits, such as to Belfairs Woods, and camps or sleepovers are also arranged. We do operate a Parents Rota in most Sections as we rely on parental help. Please ask how you can help!

All Leaders are carefully vetted by the Scout Association before being issued with a warrant allowing them to take responsibility for your children, and all give their time voluntarily. You may also see other young people in different uniforms on meeting nights. We are lucky to have members of other Sections of the Group who come along to help. They are often working for an award themselves by doing so, and it is nice for the younger members to get to know older members of the group.

For more information please contact Maggie and Michael Hebden, or see our website at www.1stcb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

2nd Chalkwell Bay Brownies [Thursdays 5.30 - 7 pm, term time]

The Brownie pack has approximately 14 brownies at present, and Brownie age is from 7 - 10 years old. Activities that the brownie pack undertake include crafts, health and fitness studies, learning about road safety, making cakes and sweets, visits to places of interest such as the local police station, and learning about international guiding and linking up with national and international guide themes. Our Brownies currently are looking for more leaders, so if you fancy a go at this then please contact us! Subs (fees) are currently £18 per term.

For more information contact Alison Tompkinson, Brown Owl.

2nd Chalkwell Bay Guides [Thursdays]

There are approximately 15 Guides at present, enjoying a varies and interesting programme. During meeting times in the hall, typical activities include face painting, makeup, dance routines, chocolate activities, team building and cooperative games, handicraft, cooking, fitness activites, litter clering in the church grounds, and organising parties and activities for the Brownies. Patrol challenges called "For It" have been achieved in activities such as football, parties, fitness, and chocolate. Guides have attended Division, County and Region events, and won the Divisional Swimming Sports and several gold and silver stars in the Handicraft competition. Four Guides and a Young Leader appeared in the 2004 Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show, and other guides are keen to be in the next one.

For more information contact Jacky Goddard