It doesn't matter which VBS curriculum you use, these ideas will
help you run your VBS more smoothly, publicize your church in your
community, and interest the kids so completely that they'll want
VBS to last all summer.
1. Targeting Prospective Kids -- You can locate
and mail invitations directly to kids with mailing lists from
Lifeway Prospect Services. For a minimum charge of $50 or 25 cents
per name, you'll get a specific mailing list of residents in your
community who have VBS-age children. All you have to do is specify
the age ranges and the radial distance from your church that you'd
like to reach. To order call 1-800-464-2799 or go to lifewaystores.com/prospectservices to run a
FREE count. (This is limited to the United States.)
2. Vacation Bible School Shirts -- Kids love
T-shirts! They not only look wonderful when kids perform in them at
the closing program or open house, but they're also terrific
publicity tools for your church. An ideal VBS T-shirt has the VBS
logo on the front, and the name and picture of your church on the
back.
Get kids' sizes when they register for VBS so you can order the
shirts in advance. Also order an estimated number of T-shirts for
children who'll register at the door.
3. Souvenir Photos -- Decorate a corner of your
church in the motif of your VBS theme. Designate an official VBS
photographer and give him or her an instant-print camera with lots
of film. During the week, have your photographer take each child's
picture at the decorated area and write the child's name on his or
her photo.
Photocopy your VBS logo onto card stock, then tape the photo to
the card. On the last day of VBS, distribute the souvenir photos to
kids. This is a wonderful reminder of VBS.
4. Teenage Guides -- Teenagers make wonderful
helpers. The connection children make with teenage helpers is
sometimes the main reason kids want to return the next year. One or
two teenagers assigned to each group of children can make the VBS
experience a very personal one for kids. Teenagers are helpful in
keeping the children focused during the opening and closing
portions of VBS each day, as well as taking the kids to their
assigned locations in an orderly manner.
5. VBS Registrar -- Appoint a teenager or adult
to register new kids and take attendance each day. The registrar
gathers important information on each child, such as address, phone
number, grade in school, parents' first and last names, church
affiliation, and how kids heard about VBS. This is valuable
information for follow-up contact with children and parents.
Martha Sobaje
For more great VBS ideas, go to GroupVBS.com
