Fellowship Ministries

Host a simple theme party for young children and their parents based on the content of a Davey and Goliath video or DVD. Schedule movie nights or breakfasts with Davey and Goliath featuring an appropriate episode.

Walk down any party-supply aisle at the grocery store and you’ll see the effect of TV and movie characters on special-occasion materials for children. Having characters of faith that children can identify with can be a delight to Christian parents and a memorable marker in a child’s development.

Although Davey and Goliath became famous as characters on a children’s television series from the 1950s and ‘60s, they are timeless in their ability to engage children in adventures that interpret faith and values for daily living.

Wrap a theme party around a video presentation. Edgar Dale’s Cone of Learning theory states that “after two weeks we tend to remember 50% of what we hear and see and 90% of what we both say and do.” Keep this in mind as you plan ways to teach and learn. A program can be as simple as a snack or meal served before the video or during or after a presentation. You can take it further by adding activities such as music, drama, crafts, games, and writing exercises.

Incorporating activities that provide different ways to express an idea will also facilitate the various ways children learn. Dr. Howard Gardner has identified different strengths for learning that recognize the possibility of “multiple intelligences.” He appeals to a child’s natural passion for social interaction, personal introspection, using numbers, words, body movements, music, or nature as personal entry points to effective learning.

Introducing Davey and Goliath as special friends to your younger members will increase their sense of belonging to your faith community.

Consider the following suggestions as you shape your plans for your first event.

• Browse through a listing and description of all the episodes and become familiar with the characters who made each program memorable and meaningful.
• Check out the the Davey and Goliath online store for videos and DVDs that are currently available for purchase. The video packages used as supplements for Camp Creation (Augsburg Fortress VBS 2004) provide brief excerpts and great introductions to several episodes. You might also check your synod or local resource centers for copies of "classic" Davey and Goliath episodes on VHS tapes. Refer to the listing of available titles below and stay tuned for future offerings.
• Become acquainted with the content and theme of the episodes and preview the tape or DVD, to identify the appropriate content for your parties or events. You might also consider planning an event around the Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas that is being produced for broadcast television during the 2004 holiday season. In this context, you might feature cardboard “snowboard” relays, Rice Krispie snowman frosted with white chocolate and a craft that might be shared with people in need. Browse www.daveyandgoliath.org/snowboard for potential party plans and updates about this Christmas special.
• If you’re looking for a simple activity, a snack or meal served with a video or DVD presentation is easy and effective, especially for the very young.
• You may want to consider adding two dynamics to your leadership and involvement:
  1. Promoting your event to be for both children and their parents.
  2. Including leaders in area early-childhood ministries, such as a preschool or childcare center staff.
• Consider the financial resources you have available. Is it reasonable to request a nominal admission fee or contribution?
• Project the probable age and ability of your child participants. Adapt your crafts and activities accordingly.
• Create visuals of Davey and Goliath to display on a large write-on board. You might also use a poster or bulletin board, leaving space for posting specific promotions and announcements. Use the outlines from the clip art file. If you wish to display large or life-size representations of either character, you can download and reproduce the line drawing on a transparency. Then use an overhead projector to enlarge the design and trace it onto poster board or newsprint for display. You may wish to add color with markers or paints. If you have a carpenter in your congregation you might ask him/her to make tall, free-standing characters that the children can encounter. They might also be used as photo opportunities with children.
• You may wish to recruit volunteers to portray the characters of Davey and Goliath as you promote and carryout a specific program. Are there seamstresses in your congregation who could make costumes? Refer to the online color graphics as you accessorize Davey. Note the trademark red and white-checkered shirt and the classic gray pants. Generic dog patterns are available in fabric stores.

Available Titles on VHS and DVD:

Check your local resource centers for copies of "classic" episodes of Davey and Goliath on VHS. There are also a few videos available though The Augsburg Fortress Store. Browse the listing of the episodes to become familiar with their themes and content descriptions.

Available on VHS:

• Davey and Goliath: Family of God
• Davey and Goliath: Summer Camp Special - featuring five titles in a two-tape set:
  • The Bridge
  • Jeep in the Deep
  • Stranded on an Island
  • The Runaway
  • Summer Camp to the Rescue
• Davey and Goliath: Remember the Promise - featuring two titles:
  • All Alone
  • The Bridge
• Camp Creation - Individual tape titles
  • To the Rescue
  • The Bridge
  • Down on the Farm
  • Ready or Not
  • The Zillion Dollar Combo

Available on DVD:

• The Camp Creation Series - featuring all five titles from Camp Creation VBS 2004
  • To the Rescue
  • The Bridge
  • Down on the Farm
  • Ready or Not
  • The Zillion Dollar Combo
• Remember the Promise – featuring three titles:
  • All Alone
  • The Bridge
  • Happy Easter
• Trusting God – featuring three titles:
  • Hat for Sale
  • Happy Landing
  • Christmas Lost and Found

  Note: You might also check the Davey and Goliath online store, periodically, for possible updates as additional titles become available for distribution in the future.