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 Church
Prospect Services. For $50, you'll get a specific mailng list of up
to 250 residents in your community who have VBS-age children. Each
additional prospect is 15 cents. All you have to do is specify the
age ranges you'd like to reach and the zip codes in your area. To
order, call 800-443-8032. (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
