We’ve spent the last two weeks doing a comprehensive overview of some of the most popular VBS programs. This summer, thousands of churches will launch programs ranging in variety from high seas adventures to forest treks. Will your church be hosting VBS this summer? In case you haven’t quite decided which program is best for you, consider these ten questions that will help you narrow your focus and determine the right program.

1.  What is your goal?
At the very basic level, consider what you are trying to achieve through a VBS program? Evangelism? Encouragement? Community relationships? Determining your overall goal will help you decide the program that is best for your church.

2.  Who is your audience?
Who will be coming to VBS? There is a difference between audience—the kids who will most likely come—and target audience—the kids whom you want to come. If your target audience is widely unchurched kids who will be unfamiliar with biblical truths, this will steer your choice of a program towards something more basic and evangelistic.

3.  What is your experience level?
Not only should you think about your audience, but you should think about yourself, too. Hosting VBS is a huge administrative role. If you’ve never done it before, it may be smartest to pick a program that will be simpler to plan for.

4.  How many kids do you anticipate?
Size ought always to be a consideration. In our survey of the most popular programs, we’ve tried to point out which ones are more difficult to adapt for larger or smaller crowds.

5.  How many workers will you have available?
VBS isn’t about just inviting a bunch of kids out. It also means recruiting a lot of volunteers. Depending on the number of volunteers, you may need to make strategic adjustments in your planning.

6.  What are your facilities like?
Nearly any church can creatively plan a great VBS program, regardless of their facilities. However, this is a helpful factor to keep in mind. When planning rotation stations, game time, classroom accommodations, and snack area, realize that some types of programs won’t mesh well with some types of facilities.

7.  What is your budget?
A good VBS program is money well spent, but it is still money spent. What is your budget like? Are you able to afford a program that requires ordering a lot of crafts, or will you be able to get away with just creativity and lessons plans?

8.  How much time do you have left for planning?
As your projected VBS date looms nearer, take an honest look at the calendar to count down the days until VBS launches. Do you have time to do all the planning? What about recruiting staff? Ordering materials? Preparing decorations?

9.  What materials do you have from previous years?
Churches who have been hosting VBS programs for a long time probably have a great collection of past decorations. Trees from a past jungle theme may work well for this year’s Egyptian theme. This isn’t about being lazy . It’s about being smart and creatively using the resources you have.

10.  What sounds like the most fun?

Still having a tough time making a decision? Go for whatever sounds most fun. The kids will enjoy it if you enjoy it. Pick a theme that you think you’ll love getting involved in. You’ll be glad you did.

For more VBS curriculum packages please visit: Christian Ed Warehouse

No tags

Quite possibly the most memorable times in a kid’s life are when he or she gets a week at summer camp. Bring on the memories; roll out the fun. Here’s a laughing, splashing, hiking, climbing program designed for discovery, dedication, and devotion to The Rock, Jesus Christ. SonRock Kids Camp takes a wilderness camp concept, and places it in a one-week VBS adventure for a church to host. Check it out.

Title: SonRock Kids Camp
Motto: Where Kids Build Their Lives on the Rock: Jesus

Publisher: Gospel Light

Theme: Outdoors Adventure Camp

Overview
Theme Verse: How great is the love the father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. (1 John 3:1)

Day 1

• Daily Truth: Accepted by Jesus
• Bible Story: Jesus Chooses Peter (Matthew 4:18-20)
• Who Am I? I am loved and accepted by Jesus.
• Bible Memory Verse: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
• Craft: Nature Journal
• Snack: Gone Fishing

Day 2

• Daily Truth: Protected by Jesus
• Bible Story: Jesus Walks on Water (Matthew 14:13-36)
• Who Am I? I am helped and protected by Jesus
• Bible Memory Verse: “I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
• Craft: Camp Canoe Frame
• Snack: Stormy Jello

Day 3

• Daily Truth: Saved by Jesus
• Bible Story: Peter’s Confession of Christ (Matthew 16:13-17)
• Who Am I? I am given salvation and eternal life by Jesus, God’s Son.
• Bible Memory Verse: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
• Craft: Rugged Cross
• Snack: Munchy Moose

Day 4

• Daily Truth: Forgiven by Jesus
• Bible Story: Peter Denies Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75)
• Who Am I? Even when I sin, Jesus forgives me and gives me a fresh start.
• Bible Memory Verse: “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” (Psalm 86:5)
• Craft: Camp Bugaboo Cabin
• Snack: Crispy Campfire

Day 5

• Daily Truth: Living by Jesus
• Bible Story: Peter Helps a Lame Man (Acts 3)
• Who Am I? I can live for Jesus and do the good things He has planned for me to do.
• Bible Memory Verse: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
• Craft: Mountain Bag
• Snack: Crispy Crawley Crunchys

Features

• Tons of extras are optionally available to enhance the SonRock Kids Camp. There are tools to publicize the VBS, extra decorations, student gifts and prizes, music books and CDs, skit books, journals, DVDs, and tons more.
• Memory verse tools come in both NIV and KJV.
• The program is age graded for each of the following groups: 3-4, 5-6 6-8, 8-10, 10-12.
• Zipline Zoey, and Dr. Forest R. Cool (plus a host of animal friends) are a great attention-grabbing enhancement to the camp theme.
• SonRock features “Amp’d Up Assemblies,” using their collection of original, up-tempo, memorable tunes. Along with the CD-ROM, you can purchase music videos, piano and guitar accompaniment, and word charts.

Advantages

• The themes of each day are neatly arranged and strategically progressive as they hit the major themes of the Christian life.
• SonRock uses a Music CD packed with the tunes from the week of VBS camp. They offer this CD in a reproducible format so you can distribute a copy to each one of the kids who comes.
• Every day’s lesson focuses on evangelism, which gives teachers a built-in way to evangelized unsaved kids.
• “Camp Journals” is a creative concept of SonRock that gives kids a keepsake journal in which they can record their thoughts, treasure the memory verses, and remember the applications they learned.

Disadvantages

• Although there are a lot of features and add-ons for the VBS program, it can be expensive to order all or even some of it. For budget-limited ministries, this could pose a hurdle.
• Not every church will have the personnel, number of kids attending, or the resources to utilize each specific age categorization.

Cost

• The starter kit costs $79.99. The Super Starter Kit is $199.99. Here is a link to an order form for the SonRock Kids Camp starter kit.

Website: http://www.gospellightvbs.com/2009/sonrock/index.html

For more VBS curriculum packages please visit: Christian Ed Warehouse

No tags

The Kingdom of the Son has as its setting the animal kingdom of Africa. With the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, kid get to explore the wild Serengti, and learn the invaluable truths of praying to an amazing God. Kingdom of the Son is a VBS program that was widely used in 2009, and is enjoying popular use again this year.

Title: Kingdom of the Son–Prayer Safari

Publisher: Gospel Light Publications

Theme: Safari, Serengeti, African Adventure
This VBS theme takes kids into the heart of the Serengeti, the vast game reserve in Eastern Africa. Kids will learn about the giant exotic animals of the grasslands, make safari crafts with their own hands, and gain some insight into the rich culture of Tanzania and Kenya. They might even pick up a few Swahili words along the way.

Overview

Day 1

• Theme: God Listens
• Bible Story: Our Father in Heaven: Jesus Teaches about Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Mark 1:35; Luke 11:1-10; 18:9-14)
• Lesson Focus: God is our loving and powerful Father who listens to our prayers.
• Bible Memory Verse: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)

Day 2

• Theme: God Provides
• Bible Story: Our Daily Bread: Jesus Feeds 5,000 people (John 6:1-15)
• Lesson Focus: God meets all our needs and uses us to meet others’ needs.
• Bible Memory Verse: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Day 3

• Theme: God Forgives
• Bible Story: Forgive Us Our Debts: Jesus Tells about an Unforgiving Servant
• Lesson Focus: God forgives and helps us to forgive others.
• Bible Memory Verse: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6: 12)

Day 4

• Theme: God protects
• Bible Story: Lead Us Not into Temptation: Jesus Is Tempted (Matthew 4:1-11)
• Lesson Focus: God helps us say no to temptation.
• Bible Memory Verse: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)

Day 5

• Theme: God Rules!
• Bible Story: The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: Jesus Overcomes Death (Matthew 26:36-28)
• Lesson Focus: We can praise God for raising Jesus from the dead and for giving us a place in His kingdom.
• Bible Memory Verse: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13)

Features

• The program uses the KJV exclusively for Bible memory and lessons.
• There are plenty of additional resources that you can order for the Kingdom of the Son theme. Crafts, charts, stickers, picture frames, coloring books, certificates, decals, and plenty of other safari supplies are available for purchase.
• The Kingdom of the Son was a very popular theme last year as well. There are old forums that 2010 users can read to find out how past VBS programs were administrated.

Advantages

• Prayer is an important component of the program, and is consistently repeated every day of the week.
• The safari theme is comprehensively carried throughout the whole program, including the sound of the accompanying songs, the suggested snacks, and the crafts.

Disadvantages

• In some of its media and publications, the program lacks the professionalism that some of the other programs exemplify.
• The program website does not have an array of online features and helps. This could be a limiting factor for those who are looking for additional support from the VBS publishers and producers.

Cost

• The Super Starter Kit costs $199.99. In some places, you may be able to find it for $159.99.
• Click here to order.

Website:  http://www.gospellightvbs.com/2009/kots/

For more VBS curriculum packages please visit: Christian Ed Warehouse

No tags

Want to take your VBS program to the seas? With the High Seas Expedition VBS program from Group, you can do just that. Don your tri-corner hat and pea coat, and get ready to weigh anchor!

Title: High Seas Expedition

Publisher: Group Publishing

Theme: High Seas, Ocean, Sailing
The program takes place on a historic sailing vessel, equipped for a lot of fun and some great learning. The host of the week is Chadder the Chipmunk.

Overview
Each day has a prearranged set of skits, lessons, games, crafts, and snacks. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect on each day of the program.

Day 1

• Bible Point: God’s word is true.
• Bible Story: God frees Peter from prison. (Acts 12:1-19)
• Bible Verse: “But you are near O Lord, and all your commands are true.” (Psalm 119:151)
• Sail Away Cinema: Are Chadder and the crew lost at sea?
• Goodies from the Galley: Peter’s Jail Mix
• Clipper Ship Crafts: Ship Clip Bible Buddy Keeper

Day 2

• Bible Point: God’s Word is comforting.
• Bible Story: God comforts Paul in a storm at sea (Acts 27).
• Bible Verse: “Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.” (Psalm 119:50)
• Sale Away Cinema: What did they hit in the middle of the ocean?
• Goodies from the Galley: Chipwrecks (chips and salsa)
• Clipper Ship Crafts: Comfort Pillow or Wee Seas Sailboat

Day 3

• Bible Point: God’s Word is surprising
• Bible Story: Paul survives a bite by a poisonous snake (Acts 28:1-10).
• Bible Verse: “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” (Psalm 119:18)
• Sale Away Cinema: Will Captain Bleagh figure out the map to Anderon?
• Goodies from the Galley: Surf ‘n Snakes (gummy worms in blue jello and whipped cream)
• Clipper Ship Crafts: Bopper Popper or Sneaky Snake Surprise

Day 4

• Bible Point: God’s Word is life-changing
• Bible Story: Peter and John teach about Jesus (Acts 3:1-4:12)Bible Verse: “Give me life through your word.” (Psalm 119:37)
• Sale Away Cinema: Can the crew steer without a ship’s wheel?
• Goodies from the Galley: Forgiveness Clouds
• Clipper Ship Crafts: Balancing Bird or Toss-N-Turn Toy

Day 5

• Bible Point: God’s word is for everyone.
• Bible Story: The community of believers share (Acts 2:42-47)
• Bible Verse: Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.” (Psalm 119:90)
• Sale Away Cinema: What will Chadder tell the people of Anderon?
• Goodies from the Galley: Share Kabobs
• Clipper Ship Crafts: “God Loves Me” blanket kit

Features
The High Seas Expedition is formed around “stations” and “crews.” A “crew” is a group of five elementary-age children. Each crew is led by an adult or teen Crew Leader. “Stations” are locations that provide the program for the VBS program. Crews move successively through these stations:

• Start: sing and play splash
• Bible Voyage (rotation, 20-25 minutes)
• Ship Rec Games (rotation, 20-25 minutes)
• Clipper Ship Crafts & Missions (rotation, 20-25 minutes)
• Goodies from the Galley (rotation, 20-25 minutes)
• Sail Away Cinema (rotation, 20-25 minutes)
• End: The Floating Finale

For an additional cost, you can take your VBS planning, registration, and launch all online using Group’s online planning tool.

Advantages

• The lesson portrays basic and relevant truths that are necessary for daily life, and easy to understand for any age group. They each focus on God’s Word, an essential truth for teaching young kids.
• There is a basic cohesiveness to the program as a whole, since all the verses come from Psalm 119 all the stories come from the book of Acts, and the entire theme is built around God’s Word.
• The program is well structured and provides comprehensive design that is easy to follow, even for someone who has never led a VBS program or participated in one.
• One unique component of High Seas is that they recommend multi-age crews. Children learn to get alongside other young people from different age groups, and it provides great situations for developing learning and interaction skills.

Disadvantages

• High Seas Expedition is best used using all of Group’s features, crafts, and Bible memorization tools. These can get costly.
• A salvation emphasis, for any unsaved children or unchurched kids is lacking in the program as a whole, though it can be easily inculcated by individual churches.

Cost

• High Seas has a single option for its starter kit. The cost is 149.99.
• Click here to order.

Website:  http://highseas.group.com/

For more VBS curriculum packages please visit: Christian Ed Warehouse

No tags

Today, we come to the third in our series of VBS programs. So far, we’ve seen a VBS theme for ranch hands and an opportunity for pyramid tourists in Egypt. Today, we come to a theme that is fresh, exciting, and sure to inspire.
Title: Hero HeadQuarters

Publisher: Standard Publishing
Standard Publishing has a historic connection with VBS materials. In 1922, they became the first group to publish Vacation Bible School materials.

Theme: Superheroes
The storyline and structure of the Vacation Bible School program is built around four fun-loving superhero characters. They are Maintenance Mac, a tool-wielding wonder with a knack for fixing things and helping others. Water Woman is a bit on the timid side, but has amazing abilities when it comes to swimming and other aquatic activities. Pizza Man is overcommitted, way too busy, and a bit on the distracted side, which keeps him from seeing other people’s needs and helping them out. Cooper is a dog, with a rich background in the show business, and a knack for making others laugh.
Theme verse: Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Overview

Day 1

• Lesson: Heroes do the Unexpected!
• Story: A servant girl speaks up, and God’s power heals Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14).

Day 2

• Lesson: Heroes take action!
• Story: Shepherds see baby Jesus and tell everyone about the Savior (Luke 2:1-20).

Day 3

• Lesson: Heroes step out on faith!
• Story: An army officer goes to Jesus, and Jesus heals his servant (Matthew 8:5-10, 13).

Day 4

• Lesson: Heroes save the day!
• Story: A boy shares his food, and Jesus feeds more than 5,000 people (Acts 23:12-24).

Day 5

• Lesson: Heroes stand for truth!
• Story: A young man shows courage, and Paul lives to serve Jesus (Acts 23:12-24).

Features

• The goal of Hero Headquarters is to help kids learn that God’s power in their lives can help them to be heroes. Each lesson provides valuable insights from some of the lesser-known biblical heroes. In fact, for most of those biblical ‘heroes,’ we don’t even know their names.
• Hero Headquarters uses a collection of fresh, upbeat songs, many of which were written specifically for the superhero theme.
• Four hero activities are part of the hero schedule for this VBS program. They are “Amazing Bible Heroes,” which is the time where kids learn an inspiring lesson from God’s Word. “Power Projects” are hero-themed crafts. “Super Snacks”…you know what that is. And “Action Games” is a collection of fun recreation activities, with games fit for heroes.

Advantages

• Hero HeadQuarters has a very helpful website. Among other things, this website provides decorating ideas, and discussion forums. Even the selection process for obtaining materials is simple and straightforward. Perhaps most helpful is the planning calendar and PDF planbook that is available on the site.
• Beyond the helpful website, Hero Headquarters allows you to build your own customized VBS website. The individual websites provide a means to promote your VBS program
• An online registration management system is another way that Hero Headquarters VBS gives you a great advantage. This automated management system makes it easy for registration, provides an email list, and makes for easier follow-up.
• Hero Headquarters provides an appropriate teaching for young kids, as well as a fun and engaging theme.

Disadvantages

• The program teaches some excellent Biblical truths, but does not have a clear salvation theme. The focus is not on evangelism, which may or may not be a disadvantage, depending on the purpose and audience of the VBS program.
• Although anyone can be a hero, not everyone can find an appropriate hero outfit. Finding the right costumes and deco for Hero Headquarters can be either difficult or expensive.

Cost

• To get started determining how Hero Headquarters works, you will need to order a starter pack. There are two options. The Starter Kit provides the basic materials needed to launch your VBS planning. It includes the planning DVD, a series of guides for each age group, game instructions, sample toys, and some sample decorations. The cost for the Starter Kit is $69.99.
• The next level up is the Power Pak. It includes everything that the Starter Kit contains, plus a costume kit, theme pack, decoration CD, a collection of posters, and a special DVD called Kid Views. The cost for the Power Pak is $199.99.
• Click here to order.

Website:   http://www.vacationbibleschool.com/index.html

For more VBS curriculum packages please visit: Christian Ed Warehouse

No tags