Alternative VBS Ideas

Alternative VBS Ideas

Check out these alternative VBS ideas for 2020 (and other times when traditional VBS isn't an option).
VBS Director Series: How to Plan a VBS Prep Party

VBS Director Series: How to Plan a VBS Prep Party

Years ago (when I was a kid attending VBS and my parents were station leaders), most of the congregation would spend all day at church on the Sunday before VBS started.  They would spend hours and hours transforming the entire church into the VBS theme.  Over the years, involvement from kids and adults has dropped.  As I've talked to other VBS directors and church leaders, I've found that this is a common theme.  The lack of adult participation in decorating means that (in past years) the bulk of the decorating has fallen on…Read more …
Shipwrecked Prep Party (aka the best way to get VBS decor ready!)

Shipwrecked Prep Party (aka the best way to get VBS decor ready!)

For the second year in a row, we have planned a VBS Prep Party.  This fun afternoon is a chance to get more families involved with VBS decorations and prep work.  Read on to see just how much we accomplish in one afternoon! Years ago (when I was a kid attending VBS and my parents were station leaders), most of the congregation would spend all day at church on the Sunday before VBS started.  They would spend hours and hours transforming the entire church into the VBS theme.  Over the years, involvement from…Read more …
Shipwrecked VBS Planning Journal

Shipwrecked VBS Planning Journal

A few weeks ago, I saw a facebook post from a Shipwrecked director who found a fun notebook for her VBS planning. The notebook, which I believe was from Walmart, had one of the Shipwrecked bible verses on the front.  I couldn't find a similar notebook at my local stores, but I was encouraged by her post to find a theme-related notebook that I could use for my VBS planning.  I keep many notes electronically, but sometimes it's nice to have a physical notebook to jot ideas down... like when you're in the…Read more …
VBS Director Series: 2 Hour (Evening) VBS Schedule

VBS Director Series: 2 Hour (Evening) VBS Schedule

One of the most common questions I see online is how to make Group VBS work with an evening/shortened schedule.  Our VBS has always (for as long as I can remember) been held in the evenings for 2-3 hours each night.  The exact time & length has fluctuated a little over the years.  Our current schedule is 2 hour VBS, from 6:30-8:30pm each evening Monday through Friday.  I'm going to share our 2 hour (evening) VBS schedule with you and would love to hear how you amend the curriculum to fit a shortened schedule!…Read more …
VBS Director Series: Where To Buy Your Starter Kit

VBS Director Series: Where To Buy Your Starter Kit

Welcome to the VBS Director Series!  This is a series of blogs where I'll share tips and resources for VBS directors & organizers. If you've done a web search for Group VBS curriculum, you know that there are endless retailers from which you can purchase VBS kits!  How do you know which one you should order from?  We're going to compare retailers today so you can make the best decision for your church! This post may contain affiliate links.  I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase through these links but you…Read more …
VBS Director Series: Name Tags

VBS Director Series: Name Tags

Welcome to the VBS Director Series!  This is a series of blogs where I'll share tips and resources for VBS directors & organizers. One of the questions that comes up every year is what to do for name tags.  For the last several years, we’ve printed our own name tags and put them in ID sleeves attached to lanyards.  These are affordable and have lasted really well!  We’ve had to throw away a few lanyards, but most of them can be re-used multiple years.  The materials & instructions below are what we use…Read more …