Sports VBS 2016: In It To Win It!

I'm all in.  I thought you, the reader, might be interested in the process of developing a VBS program. Boot Camp came about when we decided to go back to basics, just what does it mean to be a Catholic  Christian?  We arrived at Greatest Hits when I told my friend, Louise, I thought we should do stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and she had the title and decided it should be a film with a movie theme.

So what about In It To Win It?  Louise wanted to do a VBS with sports.  The idea sounded fun and St. Paul has loads of references to athletes.  My son, Fr. Josh, said that St. JP II had written a letter about the value of sports.  So I checked.  Guess what?  Many popes have written about the value of sports!  We're good!  Right now, the main points are the cardinal virtues, corporal works of mercy, and maybe the Beatitudes.  It's still developing.  I have a lot of reading to do.

In the back of my mind, I'm also working on a funny script for the video.  Our VBS begins each day with a brief video newscast to set the stage--right after prayer and cheers, of course.  Two young friends, Elijah and Luigi, have been doing the video the past seven years.  (Last year they won $400 for an original film at WVU.)  Last Chance Luigi and Easy Out Elijah are going to through out a bunch of sports cliques: no I in team, team work makes the dream work, etc.

Lastly, here are the notes I have as I go along.  Here's hoping (and praying) this helps you develop your VBS program.

Sports Camp VBS: In It To Win It!

Jesus

Miracles: Stories and Bible Stories about miracles

All Star Saints and All Star Catholics

Team work makes the dream work.

Blessed Pier Georgio

St. Sebastian

St. JP II

1. Slam Dunk!  Be a strong athlete for Christ.  Nothing but net!

2. Field Goal!   Be a faithful, courageous witness to His Gospel.  Go team!

3.  Home Run!  Persevere in prayer.  Hit it out of the park!

4.  Spike it!  Train in virtue.  Kill!

5.  Go for Gold!  Follow the divine Master in everything.  (Jubilee Sports, Oct. 29, 2000)

      

Apache by Bongo

Warm-ups, drills, skills, games, Cross training! Plays! Technical and tactical skills, competition, scrimmages

Javelin and tumbling mats

Shot put with softballs

Discus with frisbee so

Balance board

Broad jump

High jump

Hurtles

Running races

Timed runs

Run for faith

Archery

White Stripes: Seven Nation Army

Referee shirts with whistles for teens and adults

Manliness talks from NET: Strength under control with Soccer analogy.  It is strength under control when you kick the ball with precision and strength, not wildly erratic or out of control

Monday: Catholic Athletes: Virtues of Sports are Honesty, Meekness, Charity, Humility, Moderation, Purity, and Good Sportsmanship

Tuesday: Coach fosters Cardinal virtues

Wednesday: Champions of Faith!  Be players, not spectators!  What is a virtue?  Cardinal and corporal virtues: Martyrs and Saints

Thursday: Practice: Self control, team-work, perseverance, sacrifice

Friday: Olympics!  Play like you Practice!  

Sports as a means of living and teaching the Catholic Faith

Evangelization and Catechesis

1. Faith with Sports as an analogy

2. Process of evangelization: True Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

3. Foundation of Faith

4. Practice!  Witness!  Discipline!  Training!  Focus!  Character!

5. Develop a routine and regular devotions such as Chaplet of Divine Mercy or Rosary

6. Go on the road!  Get in the game!  Live out the faith.  Put what you practice to the test, just as athletes compete.

6a.  Players not spectators

7. Keep your eye on the prize.

8. Virtues of Sports: What are virtues?  Cardinal virtues?  Corporal virtues?  Virtues outlined by St. John Paul II?

How to connect self-control, team work, perseverance, creativity, tenacity, self sacrifice?

Catholic Athletes for Christ: Ray McKenna

evangelization through sports

http://www.appleseeds.org/Athletics-Sports_Resources.htm

http://www.laici.va/content/laici/en/sezioni/chiesa-e-sport.html

Can we adapt sports cliches to faith practices?

We need typical band songs at football games like Apache

Www.mikesweeney.org

Champions of Faith: film of major league players and their faith

All stars

Olympians

NFL coaches who are Catholic

Go for Gold

Saints in Training

Win it!

Book Six Eusebius' Ecclesiastical: "Athletes of Religion". Saint Leonides (202)

http://tomperna.org/2013/09/20/holiness-in-the-sports-complex-three-athletes-and-their-catholic-faith/

http://catholicexchange.com/sports-and-the-catholic-faith

http://sportsfaithinternational.com/uploads/FaithonField_OSV.pdf

Evangelization and Sports

Preparation and practice both for sports and faith: certain analogies

Integrity of the person: safeguard body and soul

Unity of Body and Soul: Unity of Faith and Fun!

John Madden and Yogi Berra for sports cliques.

Discipline and disciple

Gather both bible verses, athlete quotes, and quotes from Popes JPII, Bendict, and Francis

1946 Pope Pius XII and sports quote

St. JP II the Great 2004 synod?

Pope Benedict

Pope Francis: Engage the culture!

Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck

Mike Sweeney

Justin de Fratus

Ray McKenna

Morales: DVD Champions of Faith: Watch and distribute

Sister Mary David Taplan

Patrick Griffin 

Amy McMahon

Grant Desme: Norbertines

Fr. Michael Lightner

Manchester United Phillip Mulryne: Pontifical Irish College

NFL : Phillip Rivers

http://www.catholicathletesforchrist.org/speakers-bureau/speaker-bios/

 Best Answer:  VBS Cheer: Run, run, run, the race! Keep, keep, keep the pace! Run the race Keep the pace. Keep your eyes on Jesus! 


Exodus 20:8-11

Skills, Drills, Game

Fr. Justin: The quarterback can launch a perfect spiral aimed directly at the receiver.  If the receiver is distracted, out of position, or doesn't have his hands up, he won't catch it.  Jesus is sending us a perfect spiral!  Are we catching it.

We will praise you! Tune is we will rock you.  

Jesus was a cool dude, forty days without food...

Greatest Hits: VBS 2015: Rolling

This week's VBS is rolling along.  We've had a few hiccups, such as the DVD acting up this morning.  Story hinged  on the video or we would have broadcast the DVD right after Snack.  Finally, Marisa got it to work!  Leave room for the Holy Spirit!  Yesterday, Molly, a teen aide, asked to use 'We Will, We Will Thank you' with 'Bless us O Lord for grace before Snack.  Done!  Monica and I had the same idea to adapt Fishy to Greatest Hits.  We blended the lyrics we each had written Tuesday night.  Is that the Holy Spirit or what?  Last night I had a flash to incorporate another cheer: Jonah, Jonah, he's our man, if he can't do it, Joseph can, Moses can, David can, Noah can, nobody can, etc.  and today was Wednesday.  We've been in the desert of Bible times with loads of sand and camels!  Yes, today was hump day!  We sang 'Alice the Camel'.  Our chief management tool is to keep the kids engaged.  So, anytime we see the kids start to run around, say after Snack,new start 'Fishy' or a cheer, or another song.  Keep the kids engaged.  All of you will be ready for a nap after VBS!

VBS 2015 Greatest Hits: Decorations

Here are a few of the decorations.  More to come!

as a movie theme; the kids are 'extras' in each day's story.

Greatest Hits VBS 2015: Prayer

Our biggest innovation this year is Prayer.  We made a slideshow, stapled prayer books, and set aside supplies for hands-on activities: stickers, stamps, coloring sheets, and clothespin characters.  The children are busy!  The children are restless during Prayer.  Our hope is to keep them engaged as John talks.  The results are a bit mixed.  We'll pray and brainstorm ideas to improve prayer tomorrow.

Greatest Hits VBS 2015: Photos

One of the crafts is a photo canvas.  I set us a simple back drop and took photos of each team on Monday.  Keep the photos together in teams to make it easy to separate them if you have a large group.  I used a Canon Selphy photo printer for prints.  It's a little more expensive than prints at the drug store.  The advantage is if a child comes later in the week, we can take and print a shot on the spot.  Tomorrow's craft is quick.  After the children finish decorating Joseph's coat (or their costumes and bags), they will use foam brushes to paste and cover the prints on to canvas board.  The children have prayer booklets with a space for their canvas.  We did this craft last year and decided to do this souvenir every year.

Greatest Hits VBS 2015: Monday. Day One

Yes!  Day One came off.  Leaders arrive by 8:00 am the first day to greet children and review procedures.  We had twenty adults and a dozen teens as leaders.  After unlocking door, checking for air conditioning, turning on lights, the crew starts prepping snack: cleaning the popcorn machine, popping corn, pulling sand pails of pudding, plates, napkins, cups, and spoons.  On Saturday, Lydia and Meg (Yes, many of of friends' names begin with 'M'!) made bread dough and put in the fridge.  Rob, Alicia, and Autumn rolled the dough into balls and baked it this morning for tomorrow's snack.  We have to prepare one hundred servings; it helps to stay a day ahead.

The teens greet the children as they arrive after their families register or check in.  The children had a few minutes to be fitted for costumes, belts, and masks.  The teen aides select a line leader, caboose, and door holder.  I made 40 or so animal masks.  I orders another 40 foam visors to decorate.  Teens write their names on their story bags and name tags.  Then, we begin!  Father Paul led a prayer and cheer before the video.  Marisa is a videographer.  Each year, Elijah and Luigi act as announcers in the video to introduce the theme.  Today's theme was Jonah and the big fish.  After a rendition of our favorite song, "Big House", the teams departed for their rotations.  We sing or chant as we leave.

The rotations went smoothly.  We scheduled two adults at Prayer, one to talk and another to help kids paste, stamp, make dolls, cut out, color, and tape.  Story had at least six adults.  Luis took care of the AV in each room all morning.  Two teens led Games, freeing my hipusband Rob to manage the kitchen.  Butch has been in charge of Crafts for years and had one teen help out.  Marie and Ellen directed songs. 'Shake' by Mercy Me was such a hit!  My did we dance!  The kids loved the fish!  So far, so good!

VBS 2015 Greatest Hits: Set up

It has taken 2 1/2 days, but we're ready!  Prep is finished!  The more you can do ahead, the better.  Marge and Monica organize all of the crafts and bundle them into boxes for each day.  When I set up the craft room, first I covered all of the tables with plastic covers, set up one table with the first day's craft materials, and taped examples for each day's cafts on the wall.  We house supplies along a wall in the craft room: markers, scissors, crayons,my rushes, glue, stickers, newspaper, etc.  Our children prepare banners to process into Mass on Friday and Sunday as groups.  These are laid along another table.

Story was much more elaborate.  Marisa used clothes racks, tri-pods, rope, poles, risers, and a table to create a set.  (See photos above.)  The Prayer room consistent of tables in the Conference room.  These tables were covered, too.  Along the wall are supplies for Prayer: stamp pads, materials for clothespin dolls, stickers, verses, markers, tape, glue sticks, lids, etc.  I set up the prize table and vocations table in the Prayer room, too.  We collect religious goods, sacramentals, prayer cards, metals, for the children to have each day and award prizes on Friday.

Games is simple.  We clear a large room and lay out supplies.  So prep consisted of folding tables and chairs.  The children play games outside until the weather is inclement or the heat index is too high.

Songs takes place in the social hall.  The main preparation is setting up the electronics: DVD, sound system, microphone, etc.  Additionally, we set up nine or ten tables in the Hall, covered in red, with table tents and goodies: each day's tabloid, coloring pages, story bags, wrist wraps,and back-stage pass.  Along the wall are tables with costumes, animal masks, sun glasses, jewelry, and belts.

Snacks require some planning.  We make up Monday's snack the day before to save time the first day, which is usually hectic.  So, we made pudding from scratch on Saturday.  When it didn't set, we bought instant pudding and made ten more batches on Sunday.  The pudding was poured into sand pails with crushed vanilla wafers for sand, with gummy worms and fish.

The Registration tables are outside the Hall as the families enter.  Marge sets up a white board with all of the teams for everyone to see who is located where.  Marge prints and posts copies of the schedules with rotations and times outside each room, in folders for each team, along the hall, everywhere!  We decorated with 100 hand-colored sketches I drew and Carrie and Sue copies.  All of Carrie's grandchildren colored and mounted the finished work onto card stock which we posted all over.  We used letters to spell out names: Jonah, David, etc. on the doors with pictures.  We used movie props to decorate by the registration tables as children enter along the red carpet.  We set up a simple backdrop for photos of each child.

The crew setting up colored, set up tables and chairs, decorated, tested the electronic equipment, made copies, learned how to print photos, checked registrations, distributed markers and crayons, and generally were awesome!  Six young children helped on two different days.

Last minute prep...

Monday begins VBS.  Today my objective is to double check things are prepped for Day One.  Yes, there is a plan for the entire week; but, it's imperative Monday rocks.  If the kids don't have fun the first day, they won't return.  Besides, there are always last minute reistrations, cancellations, and crises.  It pays to review each area again.  Tomorrow, a crew is going to set up the Hall, make bread dough, and pudding.  Today, I need to go over the grocery list to shop tonight.  We like to make food from scratch to reduce the amount of possible allergens and additives.  I have easy pudding, rolls, frosting, and cupcake recipes.  It takes a little longer, but tastes better and overall cheaper when we buy bulk quantities of the ingredients.  Today, I pulled my cupcake pans and rolling pin to take to church because there aren't any in the kitchen.  Be sure to take stock of the kitchen and pantry at church.  Use your notes!

Yesterday, when I set up the craft room, I set up a table with Monday's crafts to be certain all of the materials are ready.  My friend, Marisa, set up the stage in Story and prepped the cardboard boat for Monday.  Tomorrow, we'll take care of the AV in Story, Prayer, and the Hall.  I have laid out the stickers, stamps, and clothes pin dolls for Prayer.  The kids set up the Vocations table in the Prayer room.  My friend, Marie, is stapling the prayer journals to bring tomorrow.  The church's admin, Cathie, is inking stamp pads.  Loads of people are bringing fins, sheep bodies, posters, and supplies to church, Sunday, when I'll do a final meeting a run through.  My friend, Louise, likes to plan the games, craft, and snack.  She knows how hectic the first day is and keep things simple.  I pulled bins, towels, toys, and props for Games, yesterday.  Today, I rechecked the list of games to see if we have everything.  Even with a walk through Sunday, I plan to arrive at 7:30 on Monday to set up all of the AV, flip the lights on, unlock the doors, start the music, brief the volunteers, and pray!  Cheers for a good week!

VBS 2015 Greatest Hits: Prep

Today was prepping!  I spent the morning setting up the craft and prayer room.  Help arrived after the noon Mass!  My friends, Marisa and Michelle, brought children, six in all! A crew is coming Saturday to set up the Hall.  Today, Marisa spent the entire afternoon creating a set for Story; the kids are acting out each day's story.  My helpers colored poster, cut, filled glue bottles, shuffled chairs, and tore down tables.  Whew!  The rotation rooms, Prayer, Story, Crafts, and Games are ready.  Saturday, we have to set up Registration, add props, set up tables and chairs in the Hall, cover the tables, set up the prize table, and determine how best to organize the costumes into sizes.  We still have posters to color, props to assemble, and all of the electronics to field-test.  Oop!  And the photo booth!  The materials I delegated last week are rolling in.  We are coming down to the wire.  Ready or not!

Greatest Hits VBS 2015: Still Counting Down

These last days are about delegating: belts for costumes, punching out insects for one of the plagues, cutting fins and eyeballs for fish.  This is the time for last minute finishes like pictures or graphics.  My friends are hard at work, too.  Marisa, is designing the movie set and Marie is polishing the music.  Marge handles registrations, which are typically all last minute.  She recruits help, makes table tents, and sorts crafts.  You cannot do this alone!  Beg for help!

Greatest Hits VBS 2015: This is Amazing Grace

Greatest Hits VBS 2015: Impossible by Building 429

Impossible

Greatest Hits VBS 2015 Music!

1    Shake

     

Greatest Hits! VBS 2015: Bags

As VBS approaches, these posts are becoming less frequent and more frenetic.  Yesterday, I sewed 50 or so cloth bags to haul around stampers, prayer journal, pictures, etc.  Sew extras!  Kids lose them!  Most of the bags are white so the children can decorate them with stickers, markers, crayons, and stampers.  Last year, the kids loved the bags and colored them camo.  So, like the modge-podge photo canvases, I think we need to add the cloth bags.  These are easy and cheap.  I shop Goodwill and thrift stores regularly for fabric: bolts, curtains, and sheets.  Sewing is fast!  It took about a half hour to cut the squares, two hours to sew the bags, and over three hours to run cotton yarn through the casing, the only time consuming step.  Make the casing wide so the safety pin can thread readily.  I will be honest.  When I have stacks to sew, I don't bother pinning the squares or ironing the casing.  I just fold the casing over and sew it up!  Never tried this?  Here's a very detailed video.  Note, my bags are about 6 x 8 inches in size.

Greatest Hits Countdown! Verses

I'm feeling the stress!  Today, I unpacked the used laser printer and toners I ordered from Goodwill and eBay to see if I count make stickers.  Yes, let's compound the anxiety with technology!  But it worked!  Even the wireless settings, once I figured out the printer won't print anything unless I save it as a file on the computer.  Fair enough.

Yesterday, I spent hours taping clipart to make copies.  Prayer is going interactive!  While John asks questions, reads the verses, and explains each day's theme, the kids are going to make home-made stampers, make clothespin or craft stick people, clay symbols, color and glue clipart images, and paste stickers into prayer journals.

Today, I put together "little songs", such as "Arky" for Story.  We are going to add traditional Bible songs as an ice-breaker to reinforce each day's story.  I typed the lyrics into a slideshow to broadcast in the Story room for everyone to learn.  The teens need to review all of these to determine which are too lame.  Although, sometimes, the little ones like to sing familiar tunes. Stay tuned!

Boot Camp: Preparations

Where do you start?  I think the place to begin is with the materials.  Just what goods are needed?  It is important to estimate the number of children, teens, and adults who will participate.  Some items should be ordered well in advance: white hats, canvas boards, and Camo spray paint.  I shopped ebay for months to find a deal on painter caps to spray paint Camo.  I ordered 100 because I could use them at Holy Redeemer 's VBS and two science camps I am running this summer.  The canvas boards were on sale when I ordered 100 of them, too.  We modge-podge photos of the children to the boards; they look a bit like photo canvases and serve as souvenirs.  Most of the materials can be assembled one month in advance.  I run a final check one week out and then recheck each day of VBS to ensure we have everything for the next day.

Boot Camp: Last Minute Preparations

Our VBS programs typically run from Monday-Friday; Sunday, after Mass, is the final push. The banner goes up a month in advance to advertise camp.  I like to set up the craft room weeks in advance to arrange the tables and chairs, display the craft samples, post verses, and inventory supplies.  I load this room with extras, cover all of the tables, save a stack of newspaper for messier crafts, and arrange bins with supplies: glue, markers, foam brushes, stickers, etc.

After Mass, the Social Hall is organized: tables and chairs, posters, props, tents, boots, Camo, etc.  We also make the bread dough for Monday's snack.  Registration tables, marker board, and signs are posted.  The story room is cleared and Monday's props are organized.  The tables in the Social Hall are covered with plastic table cloths and labeled with table tents to identify teams.  Each camper gets a placemat, coloring page, bag, hat, and dog tag.  Each day, we put out a little prize.  The children store their crafts and prizes in their cloth bags.  With large groups, I sew the cloth bags to save money.  (Amazon sells camo drawstring bags reasonably, to save time, or if you have a smaller group.)

Once the stage is set for Monday, we focus on the technology: the CD player, the DVD player, and the LCD projector.  I use the CD player for music, even when we have live music.  The songs are on as the kids enter each morning.  We broadcast the lyrics.  Each morning, there is a two minute DVD to review the theme.  Test your equipment the day before so you can make an emergency run to Walmart for missing cables.  Each morning, I set up the music and DVD, first thing!  If something is going to go wrong, it is probably the technology.

Greatest Hits: VBS 2015 Count-down!

There are two weeks before VBS!  Time to panic!  No!  It is time to make lists, sort goods, and delegate!  I set up a staging area at church in the kindergarten room because it is open and close to the Fellowship Hall.  After Mass, I unloaded a bunch of goods I had stored at home.  Materials are sorted into areas of the classroom: crafts, prizes, prayer stickers, set, fabric, etc.  At the last meeting, we decided to make simple costume with ornamented belts.  Two teens are making 50-75 belts.  I had felt, ribbon, beads, seaquins, broken jewelry, buttons, etc. sorted into boxes for the girls to take home.  Marie agreed to make prayer books and took home craft paper to assemble.  My friend, Marisa, is going to see about the set and props for Story and the photo booth.  Marge and Monica spent hours cutting all of the craft materials.  This week, I need to set up the craft room.  This way I can check the materials.  (Double check each day of VBS before leaving!)

What else needs to be finished?  I cut 60 simple costumes this afternoon.  I need to sew 60 or so bags to haul the story props and prayer journals around.  We burn CDs with sample songs.  I need to type the lyrics and create slideshows to broadcast in the Fellowship Hall.

What can teens do?  Kids can paint props, test felt markers, make copies, and time craft projects.  Teens help judge songs, games, and crafts!  Their input can tailor the activities for your group!  Give them autonomy.  Our teens act in videos each year and take charge of teams, Games, and songs.  Ask the teens what they want to do, what part they want to play.  Our church relies on the our youth.  Last year, one of the teens wrote original songs which were the biggest hit!

Here are a few images of the materials on hand.

Greatest Hits VBS 2015

The Core team met yesterday to solidify the plans.  Despite a year of preparation, there are always details to address.  The Core team is deliberately small; this group helps trouble-shoot issues, matches jobs to volunteers, and weighs in.  VBS is three weeks away; yesterday, we went over the final plans. Two teens were present and their input is invaluable.  I like to bounce craft, game, and song ideas off them.  The teens will tell me if the idea is lame or not and have terrific ideas.  We decided to make simple draped tunics for each participant the children can color or add stickers, etc.  The two teens are going to used ribbon, felt, beads, and broken jewelry (bid by the pound from Good Will, incidently is where I bid on most of the fabric, too) to create belts to tie around the tunics.  We debated making customized belts at VBS; the issue is time invested making 50-75 belts.  A small VBS could allow participants to select fabrics for their tunics and create the belts during start-up or crafts.

I just held Boot Camp VBS at Holy Redeemer two weeks ago.  One issue is that the children need to be active, even during Prayer.  We are making an adjustment.  The kids are going to work on a prayer journal while John talks during Prayer, which for us is also Catechesis.  For example, while John talks about symbols in the day's Bible story, the kids are going to make stampers, paste stickers, draw, color, in their prayer journals.

I field-tested a photo booth at Holy Redeemer, which we are adding to our VBS.  I covered a free-standing clothes rack with camo fabric and a flag.  We had Army props available.  None of the kids were inclined to dress up.  A volunteer acted as photographer and we developed the prints using a Canon Selphy printer, also bid from Goodwill.  I am going to set up a simple photo booth outside the hall.  The kids will make props during start-up.  We will see if they like the idea!  In any case, I am dragging all of my materials to Church, Sunday to set up the staging area so we can plan the props.  My friend, Marisa, is a genius with design.

Boot Camp: Monday!

Today is the first day of Boot Camp at Holy Redeemer. We have more adults than children, testimony to this parish's dedication.  This church is typical of many parishes in rural areas.  Several grandparents brought their grandchildren and stayed to help.  My son, Father Josh, came for VBS this morning and will return Wednesday to help again.  The kids were thrilled to see him.  Fr. Josh was just transferred and moved last week to a parish an hour away.  The new pastor, Fr. Pen, will help Friday and stay for a party to welcome him and celebrate VBS on Friday.

With such a small group, the adults joined in all morning, singing, marching, doing games, etc. to keep things fun.  We need to tweak the order of the rotation tomorrow and conclude with Games; the kids were pretty excited and had trouble settling down for Crafts.  Things were completely different with a small group.  It is easy to capture all of the children's photos.  With only one group, all of the rotation times can be adjusted, including opening and closing.  (With large groups, logistics become an issue.)  this group is also very young.  We learned the simple songs, chants, and cadence calls today, and of course, 'Big House', always a hit.  Even with just a few kids, I want them to have a camp experience: line leader, caboose, door holder, and marching songs.  Not a bad start to the week! See these Pix.

VBS Boot Camp!

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church is hosting Boot Camp, June 22-26th, where my son, Fr. Josh is currently pastor.  This past weekend, I did some prep.  My home church, St. Leo Catholic Church, held Boot Camp last summer.  I saved the DVDs, charts, and plans. This morning after Mass, Holy Redeemer had the first planning meeting.  Prior to the meeting, I set up examples of the crafts, lists of the songs, signs, games, etc.  The theme for Boot Camp is straight-forward the basic tenets of the Catholic faith: the four marks, the pillars of faith, the Crred, and Ten Commandments.  The initial planning meeting is key to review the them, sample the songs, check for materials, etc.

Boot Camp: Holy Redeemer

Last summer, our church, St. Leo's did Boot Camp for our VBS.  This coming week, a group from our church is doing the same VBS for Holy Redeemer, in Spencer, WV, my son's church.  I am working toward publishing a VBS manual and my mentor advised me to field test our programs at several other churches.  I met with parishioners from Holy Redeemer last Christmas and Memorial Day weekend.  I had emailed the program in advance.  My husband and I arrived today, Saturday, to see what supplies are on hand, unload stuff we brought, and stage all of the materials to set up tomorrow.  We did a little shopping at the local ?Walmart, but want to check with Pat, the local coordinator before buying anymore supplies.  This week, I will take loads of pictures and take time to map out the process.  Here's hoping and praying for a successful week!

VBS 2015: Greatest Hits Visors

The masks I am making for costumes for the kids have bothered me.  I have ribbon ties attached around the kids' heads.  Our VBS participants are often as young as two.  At the thrift store, I spotted a foam visor.  Eureka!  I traced a pattern, cut up a file folder to make a card stock insert, and assembled a few samples.  The visors have Velcro tabs to fasten them instead of ribbon ties.  I think they will be both safe and adjustable.  Why felt?  Foam sheets are much more expensive.  I keep an eye open for felt year-round for my Chemistry classes to sew moles for Mole Day.  Felt can be hot-glued quickly.  In any case, I have yards of felt and can make one hundred masks or visors, which would be too costly with foam sheets.
Visor photo
Felt Mole

VBS 2015: Greatest Hits. Budget

VBS costs can mount quickly.  Each year, we plan on one hundred participants.  Here's the thing.  Several years ago, I asked the core team why we kept records of who had paid.  We never refused any child.  So, we stopped.  Then, we stepped out even more in faith and stopped asking families for any fees.  If they ask or want to make a contribution, we charge $10 per child or $20 per family.  We make a point to explain that we know even $20 can pose a hardship, especially on large families; the gas back and forth to VBS each day runs up.  How do we fund our program?  Great question!

Some families or grandparents can and do pay.  We post extensive wish lists in the church bulletin and on social media.  One volunteer goes to local businesses and requests cups, napkins, gift certificates, etc.  Chick-fil-A donates free kids meal coupons for VBS; they don't flinch when we request one hundred.  I shop thrift stores and  eBay. These strategies go a long way to defray costs.  They don't go quite far enough.

Last year, my husband said VBS needs to fund raise.  True. I thought about a book sale.  My friend, Marie, suggested a book and toy sale.  When we added baked goods, we were able to bring in about $400.  Yes, we had a lot of books and toys.  This May, I have two sales scheduled, both right before the church yard sale, so there is a place to drop off leftover books, media, and toys.

What else do I do to solicit funds?  I beg at Mass.  Our church is exceptionally generous.  They donate books and toys and still offer cash to help the program succeed.  We don't want VBS to be a burden to our church.  Our goal is to cover all of the costs independently.  Really.  It helps that the Parrish supports our efforts to deliver an exciting VBS program to every family who wants to attend.

VBS 2015 Greatest Hits: Preparation

As our group makes plans for VBS, I want the core team to be on the same page.  Natually, we will read the stories in the Bible.  This year, I bought copies of 'The Real Story' by Edward Sri and Curtis Martin for the Core team to read to get a better understanding of how the Hebrew Scriptures are part of the 'Big Picture' of the Bible, especially, in terms of our .catholic faith.  Our Church uses Symbolon Series for its RCIA program.  The authors speak and write clearly.  The Core Team leading  the stations at VBS needs some background.  We aren't teaching theology; but, it helps to make connections as we teach.  We add snippets even during Song.  I don't think you need a degree in Theology to take part in VBS; I do think some background on the underlying meaning or intent is important for volunteers.

VBS Greatest Hits: Event Planning

The last post explained how we set the theme for VBS this year, based on previous year's programs.  Over the past several years we have celebrated Holy Week, conducted Boot Camp (Catholicism 101), held God the Builder, (the Plan of God), King of Heaven and Earth, Go Forth, and more, all aligned with our Catholic Faith.  (My son is a priest and he checks things over for me.)  It seemed like a good time to incorporate some classics from the Hebrew Scriptures, hence, Greatest Hits.

Once we set the theme, we decided to make the set movies with the kids as 'extras' in these Bible stories.  The kids will act them out in Story.  We may even film.  At this point, the group hit Pinterest for 'Oscar' party ideas to shop for props at Goodwill and yard sales.  Think loads of red fabric.  It also means there is plenty of time to make props.  This year, VBS is adding a photo booth with plenty of props to coincide with each day's story, which means more thrift stores.  I read several practical articles on budget-friendly photo booths before buying a used photo printer.  This past week, my son was home after a marathon Holy Week to visit and helped field test the printer before we committed to it and bought extra ink cartridges and printer paper.  See why we set our theme a year in advance?  We cherry pick the church yard sale shamelessly.

VBS 2015: Greatest Hits. Work in Progress. Select a Theme

VBS is always a work in progress, even during the event.  In fact, VBS involves event planning.  I like to set the theme 12 to 18 months in advance; so, before last year's week of VBS even began, our homes for 2015 and happily, 2016 were set.  Last year's VBS theme, was Boot Camp; this year, Greatest Hits uses a movie theme to teach kids several favorite Bible Stories from the Hebrew Scriptures.  Why?  The past few years we had worked on many aspects of our Catholic Faith, and have even celebrated Holy Week.  It felt like a good time to incorporate classic Bible stories.  My friend, Louise, immediately came up with the title, Greatest Hits! (of the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures).  Then, we selected five favorites: Noah and the Ark, Joseph and his Many-Colored coat, Moses and the Exodus, David and Goliath, and Jonah and the Whale (actually, it was a big fish).  We set the theme before VBS last summer and then ran it by the volunteers at VBS to generate feedback. Everyone loved the movie theme: red carpet, red curtains, back-stage passes, clappers, etc.  Then, I ran it by the teens, who gave their nod.  Once the theme is set in place, the real planning takes place.

VBS: Goliath Game

One game we are going to play at VBS this summer is to use marshmallows to knock down Goliath.  So, I found an image online and sketched one for the game.
http://imgur.com/UW5KYyN

VBS More Masks

This week I am working on more masks for this summer.  So far, I have about 36 finished.  I plan to make at least 75; our church may have 50 or more kids, God willing!  I plan to make loads of sharks and pandas.
http://imgur.com/g3TuoCd

VBS Greatest Hits: Clothespin Sheep

Our VBS theme requires loads of sheep.  Since I was already researching clothespin Bible characters, I decided to locate clothespin sheep, such as the one from this blog.  My efforts seldom resemble anything like the ones I see on the web.  This looks enough like a sheep and can be assembled quickly with felt, cotton balls, clothespins and glue.
http://imgur.com/41epkOI

VBS Greatest Hits: Clothespin Bible Characters

I am working on ideas for this summer's VBS program: Greatest Hits!  The kids will be extras in a series of Bible stories from the Hebrew Scriptures.  I want to tie each day's story and theme into every aspect of the program.  So, in addition to making bottle lid stamps, I think the kids will make clothespin characters during prayer.  My friend, Jeannie, posted these adorable peg doll saints; I thought I could approximate the idea with round clothespins and felt.
http://imgur.com/oM9knKt

VBS Greatest Hits Updated Photos

I am working on VBS materials and here are some photos.  Work in Progress
Our church usually has 75-100 participants; we need to plan far in advance to prepare the materials.  Typically, the two weeks before VBS are insane finishing materials.  I want the kids to have nice materials without spending  tons of money.  Last year, I stitched up mini-duffle bags for Boot Camp and a teen hand painted camo hats.  This year I am determined to have more props and activites at every station.

VBS Shepherd

Last year, I sketched and colored figures right on the cardboard.  Once this is painted, the shepherd should look fine for VBS.
http://imgur.com/PyslgQk

VBS Sheep

I sketched out sheep directly onto cardboard.  A friend gave me a roll of paper I traced and covered to make the sheep have a slightly more finished quality.

Shark Mask Prototype

Last Friday, I brought masks with me to show my young advisors to get feedback.  They suggested making a shark mask.  So, I made one, which I think is cute.  So, I need to model the prototype in person to see if it is lame or not.

VBS 2015: Masks

Here are some variations of the masks.  I fixed the earlier butterfly.

Greatest Hits: VBS 2015 Masks

VBS this year has a movie theme centered on some of the best known stories in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures.  I want masks for the kids so they can be 'extras' in costume for the stories, which have loads of animals.  We could go with paper plate masks; the kids tend to hold on to props that have a little more substance.  I scrounged through the craft closet at church and found some dollar store foam door hangers.  The results were adorable!  I found bolts of felt at Good Will.  See what you think.

My favorite mask so far.

I really like the bird mask, which can be embellished just as the butterfly mask.  The mask is a little uneven and will need to be trimmed, preferably by a teen, who will have better ideas as to its improvement.

Cow transformed into a dog mask

Masks

Basic cow mask...

Masks, again

More masks

More pix of the masks.

VBS 2015: Greatest Hits

This summer at our church, the VBS theme is Greatest Hits, portraying. Some of the best loved stories in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures.  So animals are on my mind and props for a photo booth.  I have been collecting fabric, posters, vases, etc. for the backdrops each day.  We will need props for story, too.  I did some research in masks for the kids and ran across felt masks. (I have yards of felt since my kids sew moles for Mole Day in my chemistry classes.  Keep an eye out for felt in thrift stores.)  I decided to make masks that will tie on to their foreheads rather than over their eyes.  Many of our little ones would stumble.  I also want to have both completed masks and those kids can embellish or personalize.

I sketched out a mask to make a pattern and used several ideas for animal masks, such as these located on Prudent Baby.  I also had cow fabric I used which makes a decent looking dog, too.  I cut a piece of card stock I put between two pieces of the fabric, which I hot glued together with ribbon ties.    Here are some of the results.  I will show these to the teens to make sure they aren't too lame for the kids.

Boot Camp: Pinterest

My Boot Camp board on Pinterest has loads of photos and ideas for VBS.  I use the boards to clip and save ideas in addition to my notes and files as I plan.  A few weeks before VBS I review the photos to see if there is anything I missed.  I have found the Pinterest boards to be invaluable tools to show participants and leaders ideas.  I take tons of screen shots of the boards and save them on my iPad to access them at church in the areas without wifi.