Wednesday, July 22, 2015
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!
Monday, July 20, 2015
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!
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.
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.
Friday, July 17, 2015
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!
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!
Thursday, July 16, 2015
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!
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
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!
Friday, July 10, 2015
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.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
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!
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!
Sunday, July 5, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Friday, July 3, 2015
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.
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.
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