FAQs about GEMS Girls' Clubs

Woman and girl praying

How old are girls in GEMS Girls’ Club?
Where do clubs meet?
How long do meetings last?
What does a typical meeting look like?
Who are the leaders?
What materials do I need to have a GEMS Club?
How do parents feel about GEMS Girls’ Clubs?
Is there a program for boys?
What is the church’s/organization's role in sponsoring a GEMS Girls’ Club?
What does GEMS Girls’ Clubs provide member churches and Christian organizations?

How old are girls in GEMS Girls’ Club?

GEMS Clubs are developed for girls in first through eighth grades. A pre-school program and a leadership-training curriculum for high school-aged girls are also available. While materials are produced for each of these levels, you are free to determine the specific age-range your club will offer.

Where do clubs meet?

Most clubs meet in the sponsoring church or Christian organization and utilize classroom space as well as larger meeting spaces. Some clubs also use community centers and shared spaces through home school associations.

How long do meetings last?

Most clubs meet for two hours every week or every other week from September through April or May.

What does a typical meeting look like?

You can format your club meetings to best suit the needs of your counselors and girls. But, here are some basic components that many clubs find it beneficial to incorporate into a typical meeting:

              o 6:30 Opening (large group)
                        o Welcome and object lesson or devotional thought
                        o Praise and worship
                        o Prayer
                        o Announcements
              o 6:55 Bible studies in small groups
              o 7:35 Activity time in small groups
                        o Badge work, games, service projects, or crafts-with-a-purpose
              o 8:15 Snack (large group or small), closing prayer, cleanup
              o 8:30 Dismissal

Who are the leaders?

GEMS counselors are women of faith who desire to live radically faithful lives for Christ—acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Him. They are women who understand the call outlined in Titus 2 and desire to build relationships with girls in order to mentor them and show them what it means to live God-honoring lives. Read the full counselor job description.

What materials do I need to have a GEMS Club?

Each program level (Awareness for girls in grades 1-3, Discovery, for girls grades 4-6, and Advanced for girls in grades 7 and 8) has multiple age-appropriate curriculum choices. Once you determine the age-range your specific club will offer, you can investigate the options that would work best for you. For more information, check out the Program at a Glance or visit our online store to see sample lessons of each curriculum.

How do parents feel about GEMS Girls’ Clubs?

Parents love GEMS! They appreciate that their daughters have a safe, nurturing environment in which to learn, grow, and discuss the tough issues they face every day. They see the benefits of the relationships their daughters form with their Savior and with the women and girls at club. Parents also love the big group and family events offered through GEMS and the opportunities they provide to have important faith-related conversations with their kids.

Is there a program for boys?
Yes, Cadets is a club program that grows boys spiritually through the mentorship of godly men.

Christian Service Brigade is another ministry that seeks to build young men to love and serve Christ.

What is the church's/organization's role in sponsoring a GEMS Girls' Club?

Uphold and seek to accomplish the mission of this ministry—to help bring girls into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.
Embrace and hold as truth our Statement of Faith.
Provide for regular and consistent Bible study in club by utilizing the materials produced by GEMS Girls’ Clubs.
Provide Christ-inspired and Christ-directed leadership to the girls in club through the prayerful selection, supervision, and support of mentors (counselors).
Ensure that the club meets regularly throughout a designated season.
Support the GEMS ministry through regular and consistent prayer.
Support GEMS financially by ensuring that annual club dues are sent to the GEMS Service Center.
Support the ministry of GEMS financially by collecting and forwarding to the GEMS Service Center one annual offering.

What does GEMS Girls’ Clubs provide member churches and other Christian organizations?

Provide Christ-inspired and Christ-directed leadership to the overall ministry.
Develop effective, inspiring program materials for girls and their mentors (counselors) that are biblically-based and culturally-relevant.
Organize, plan, and provide multiple training opportunities for mentors (counselors) each year so they can be prepared and fully equipped to lead.
Regularly pray for the girls and counselors in GEMS Clubs everywhere.

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