by Jed Baker

Whether it's ten-pin bowling in the city, ice-skating at Gore or having a barbecue, Invercargill's Ten-Up Club is getting a name for itself.

More than 60 youngsters from throughout the city have come along to the First Church-based club on a Friday night once a month to get stuck into different activities.

The club is one of several run out of the church for the 5-9, 10-and-up and teenage groups over recent years. It caters for a wide range of youngsters from different socio-economic backgrounds, for church-affiliated and non-affiliated families.

Monthly activities at the church alternate with outside trips, the latter being particularly popular with those who come. A camp was held at Te Anau last October, which also helped the young people get to know each other.

First Church Mission and Evangelism Enabler Heather Kennedy says there are over 100 children on the group's mailing list throughout Invercargill.

"For them it's a great opportunity to come into a safe area and to interact."

Helper Pat Gee, who was instrumental in forming the original group, says the club grew out of the church's boys and girls clubs to fill a need once the children turned 10.

"We decided we could manage a Ten-Up Club once a month. On the first night there were 16 young people. Now it's between 25 and 45."

Much of the publicity for the club is done through word-of-mouth, as a number of participants can testify to.

Ashleigh White (11) says one of her friends, whose family have all attended the club, told her about it and she started going.

"It's good when we go out and play games and have barbecues," she says.

Brock Monaghan (13) says feedback about the group was widespread in his social circle.

"Everybody was talking about it, so I decided to try it out and it's pretty cool.

"You don't sit on the couch and you're going out somewhere with something to do," he says.

Pat says there is a charge for attending, particularly for outside trips, but the church tries to make this manageable for all the families involved.

She says the groups do benefit from adult participants, including co-ordinator Judy Christie, Pam Watt, Chris Gee, Janice Brown, Jim Kennedy, Matthew Freese, Alice Christie and parish minister Simon Rae.

Heather says there is a devotional session for the younger people at most gatherings.

"We have a quiet time where they may be asked to think about themselves and why they are here.

"We're here to reach out to those kids and provide a place where they can come and participate in what's going on."