LTC offers many opportunies for Adult Service to make a difference
in our Children's lives, see your Church Coordinator or send an
email to the HOALTC Board.

If your Church does not currently have an LTC Coordinator and
you want to start LTC within your congregation you can follow these steps.

   - How to get started in LTC
So you think you want to be a part of building up the next generation of the Church and have fun! 
HOALTC is a great place to start….if you just knew how to get started?  There is a lot to consider and you probably have lots of questions.    This document should lay out step by step what you need to do to get you on your way.You can participate at a Church level with 60 kids or just a few.  We have Churches travel from 4 states to join us.    The kids get to be a part of something bigger than their own congregation and meet other kids who are of the same faith.   Growth comes from all the preparation before convention.    Most of that happens within your own congregation. Typically the Churches really get behind this as a growing effort for our kids.   

Steps 1, Make a list of all the kids/parents in your Church that are in the third through 12 grades.  This will give you a feel for how many may be interested.   
Step 2, Down load a copy of the Manuel (even if it is last year’s manual it will probably be ok to get started  ...not a lot changes between years) Now don’t get daunted by the size and seeming complexity of it…it really is not that hard.  This becomes your guide book to what you need to do next. 
Step 3, Read the Church Coordinator Code of ethics
Step 4, Talk to your Elders or those who may be approving and maybe Funding part of all of this Youth activity.
Step 5, Host a meeting for all the parents and Kids that are in that age group.   
Review the possible events ahead of time. You may want to explain some of the following bulleted items in this meeting: ·         The concept that they are not competing against each other but against a set of criteria set down in the manual
·         They can compete in, as many events, or as few as they want to.  It is a flat fee per child to be a participant.  This gives them access to the Convention events, a Plaque with bars for each Event and an official HOALTC T-shirt.  There is an additional cost associated with staying at the convention Hotel. But even if you are nearby we strongly suggest you stay at the hotel for the bonding experience.
 ·         There is something for every interest, each with growth opportunity.  They will explore their natural gifts and grow into being servants who have skills to bless their future congregations.
·         This also allows them work with others in the Church kids and adults and to feel confident in their abilities to serve. There is an added benefit of their bonding with the adults in the Church who assist them in this journey
·         There are Pre-Convention Events that are completed within your Church and submitted, via mail or email, in advance of Convention.  Service Challenge, Teaching Challenge, Scripture Challenge, are some events that take time to do and will occur over months.  Others such as web design, power point, Radio Minute and Video Bible Drama are created and sent in early to be judged.
·         There are Convention Events that are performance type events that will need to be practiced prior to the Convention and Performed at convention to a room that includes judges, family, friends and strangers.   These could include Sermon, Puppets, Signing, Chorus, Song Leading
·         There are Art / Display type events such as; Photography, Bulletin Board, Banner , Art some of these may be team events,
·         There are also some Convention Events that are more testing type events Like Bible Quiz and Bible Bowl.
·         Depending on the number of kids and the level of interest you will probably need to ask for volunteers.

Step 6, Please do the following things as soon as your congregation decides to participate in this year’s LTC convention:
  - 1.    Send an e-mail to ltc@hoaltc.org and advise us that your congregation will be participating. This will add you to our contact list. Please send us a note, even if you came last year, so we will know to expect your registration, and we can advise you of any last minute items or changes if needed before you send in the registration. We will assign you a Church  Identifying number that will be used to allow you to register in the website
  - 2.    Write all of the deadlines listed in Dates & Deadlines into your personal calendar, and advise your coaches and parents.
  -3.    Work with your coaches and youth to determine which events the youth will participate in.
  -4.    Begin planning for their participation in those eventsIf you wish we can assign you a LTC Mentor from the Board that can help you navigate the website and answer questions. Remember there are No Dumb questions and we may have been in your shoes and probably can come up with answers.

Step 7, Host your first LTC meeting with the kids and the volunteers.  Go over the list of the possible events; get the kids committed to events by having them fill out the youth signup form that you will find on the website. Keep this as a reminder to them and you about what they have selected, they will forget from week to week.  They may be very enthusiastic and sign up for more than is possible but this gives you that starting point, and a place to encourage that commitment in them a bit when you need to. 

Step 8, You, can now start planning and scheduling meetings based on how much time you have before convention and what events your kids have determined.   You may now decide that you will need to pair up Kids with other adults in your Church that have skill sets to complete the events they have signed up for such as signing or power point.  You may know someone or you may have to advertise in the Church Bulletin/announcements to find that person.

Step 9, Have a great time with the kids, and know that you are investing in the future of the Church.