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.