So I need some ideas. Those of you who are portable church experts might have a simple solution for us, but all are welcome to make suggestions.
Corey Schwarz, Gateway’s South Campus Children’s Pastor just rearranged where the kids are meeting. I think what he’s done is a GREAT idea. It’s better use of space and has the potential to be much more fun. However, we have one problem. Ugly trophy cases. As you enter the kid’s space, you see the check-in and welcome area. They plan to purchase a 20 foot long banner that will hang over the railing right above check-in which should look great and make it very obvious as to where to check in. However, as you walk into the kids area, you’re greeted by a giant 18 foot wide trophy case. The Early Childhood rooms are behind the trophy case, so people have to walk around it. There are two other cases on the sides, but they’re not in the center of focus like this one is. We want to hide it and that’s where we need your help.
Entry to Kids’ Quest. Our wide banner will cover up the railing including the “covington colts.” Look straight past the check-in you can see the trophy case.
Bam! There it is. You go to the left to get to 4-5’s and elementary and to the right to get to babies through 3’s.
Here it is from one side.
Here it is from the other side.
Here’s the view from the back just in case you want to know.
So here’s what we’ve talked about. A HUGE banner that is fun and exciting. In addition to the banner would be some directional signs pointing the way. Unfortunately, the school is pretty particular in what we’re not allowed to do, including screws, nails or anything that would damage the trophy case or walls above and below it. We’ve thought about pipe & drape (15 feet is as wide as it goes… case is 18 wide). We’ve talked about several contraptions that might hold up or hang the banner on, but we’re limited to what will store easily, what doesn’t look shoddy and what is easy to put up and take down.
It doesn’t have to be a banner or say “Kids Quest.” We’d just love to make the trophy case into something good and useful instead of being an eyesore. Any ideas? We’d certainly appreciate what you’ve done in the past.
Could you use Command Adhesive strips (and probably a lot of them) to hold a banner onto the trophy case? They go up easily & remove without damage, and hold a considerable amount of weight considering how small they are. Or, what about a light-weight banner (fabric) held to the trophy case with magnets (it looks like metal).
Another idea would be some kind of light-weight wooden folding screen (angled, with several sections so it stands up on its own). You could decorate that to go along with the theme, and it wouldn’t be too hard to set up (says someone who has experience setting up portable church facilities!).
I agree it’s ugly, but too bad to cover it up, really – I like how the light from the windows behind shines through.
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Reflecting on everything other than Love =-.
foam core???
it’s super ugly. but maybe you banner the walls instead of the trophy case and make something fun out of it. I’m not sure the banner idea sounds good with magnets.
Are there taller wall sectional panels like what you’ve used to create the classrooms? Could you buy enough sections to wrap around the trophy case and then use easels for signage?
Hey Buddy, pipe and drape is a great way to go. You can pin sinage to the drape, or hang it off the pipe. also it is big enough, and flexible enough to cover, but easy to put up and store.
Dream with me…
Pipe and drape starting on each corner of the trophy case and going diagonal into the hallway coming to a point. This will begin the split in age groups into a new world, completely separate from the kids “just over the drape.” It will also make the walk from check in to the rooms more inviting and adventurous. You can use this triangular area on the inside of the drapes as extra storage space and you can hang kids quest signs and directions on the piping.
Thanks people… some good ideas here.
Could you please tell me where you purchased/how you made the colorful pipe wall partitions for your children’s area?
We are looking for a solution just like this!
thanks
Jonathan
Portable Church. Google them. They usually cost between $60-$75 each. They’re not cheap, but they’re fantastic!