Do you find yourself responsible for organizing your church's summer Vacation Bible School program? Maybe this is your first year and you have no idea where to start, or maybe you have years of experience and you are ready to check out the new 2012 VBS programs – We've got what you're looking for with a new online Easy Order Form!

We understand Vacation Bible School is a major event in your church and that it is one of the greatest opportunities we have to reach all people, especially children and preschoolers. Even in this age of high-tech toys and busy summers, VBS continues to be one of the most fruitful special events in terms of both finding prospects and leading them to the Lord. We are here to help as you plan VBS 2012 in your church!

The Bible school publishers have released their new VBS curriculum and we'd like to give you a little glimpse into each one.

How Sky VBS Works
This page will help you learn all about Sky VBS and the kind of life-changing program kids will experience! You will be able to find everything you need to know about this sky-themed vacation Bible school!

Rotation Schedule
At Sky VBS, kids rotate through seven stations each day with their Flight Crew.  Each small group consists of 5 elementary-age children led by an adult or teenage Crew Leader. The daily Bible Point is reinforced in creative ways at each station throughout Sky VBS, ensuring that each child is truly understanding the message.

1. Up & Away Sing & Play:
   Everyone opens their time together, as they sing a fun mix of classic worship songs and brand-new praise songs, arranged to appeal to both older kids and younger kids. At least one song each day specifically ties to that day's Bible Point.
2. Wild Blue Bible Adventures:
   Kids experience the daily Bible story in a surprising hands-on way and then join in thought provoking discussions with their Flight Crews to connect their unforgettable Bible discoveries to real life.
3. All-Star Games:
   Kids play games that connect with the daily Bible Point plus give kids a deeper understanding of their Operation Kid-to-Kid mission project.
4. Sky High Movie & Missions (featuring all-new animated adventures with Chadder Chipmunk!):
   In each day's exciting cliffhanger video segment, Chadder Chipmunk explores the daily Bible Point. Then kids dive into the Bible to explore the day's Bible verse and do captivating activities to help them apply what they've learned to their daily lives.Kids receive their Bible Memory Buddies to help them remember each day's key Bible verse. This is also the spot  where kids dig into Operation Kid-to-Kid™ - a world-changing mission project everyone will be buzzing about!
5. Imagination Station:
   Kids launch, fly, dip, and discover as they use Sciency-Fun Gizmos to discover the Bible Point in crazy ways!
6. Skydive Diner:
   Each day at Sky VBS, one group of Crews skips All-Star Games to make the snacks for everyone at VBS. Snack preparation provides kids with a unique opportunity to show Jesus' love by serving others. All the Crews come together at the Skydive Diner to eat yummy snacks that connect with that day's Bible verse. During snack time, Crew Leaders guide their Crews in doing one of the iOpener activities.
7. Fly Away Finale:
   Surprising experiences, high-energy Up & Away Sing & Play songs, and the you're-on-the-big-screen Spotlight VBS™ slide presentations help cement the incredible Bible truths kids have learned throughout the day. Plus, a daily report on how many mosquito nets kids will be sending to Mali for Operation Kid-to-Kid!

 

Sky VBS Bible Points You'll reinforce Bible learning in a big way because the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into each activity. That's why each day is so important to the overall learning experience.

• Day 1
• Bible Point: No matter who you are…trust God!
• Bible Story:A Roman officer has faith in Jesus. (Matthew 8:5-13)
• Key Verse: "People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 7)
  
• Day 2
• Bible Point: No matter how you feel…trust God!
• Bible Story: Jesus brings Lazarus back to life.
• Key Verse:"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God..." (John 14:1)


• Day 3
• Bible Point: No matter what people do…trust God!
• Bible Story: Jesus is arrested and put on trial. (Matthew 26:36-27:31)
• Key Verse:"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles." (Isaiah 40:31).


• Day 4
• Bible Point: No matter what happens…trust God!
• Bible Story: Jesus dies and comes back to life.
  (Matthew 27:32-28:20))
• Key Verse: "And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love." (Romans 8:38)


• Day 5
• Bible Point: No matter where you are…trust God!.
• Bible Story: Jesus makes a beachside breakfast for his friends. (John 21:1-14)
• Key Verse:"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

 

BABYLON VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Daniel was way more than the guy who survived a den of hungry lions!
Travel back to Babylon and Join Daniel - torn from his home and forced into the king's service. Imagine the pressure of learning a new language and culture…and the shock of discovering your best friends have been tossed into a fiery furnace. Explore exotic sights and smells in a Babylonian bazaar! Kids and adults will find that they're not much different from Daniel and his friends, who kept their faith in a faithless culture.
With amazing music, Bible-times crafts, and Daniel as your Bible teacher, each moment of Babylon vacation Bible school focuses on what matters most: immersing families in God's love. Kids and adults leave the city of Babylon knowing that God is with them…

• when things change…
• when they need help…
• when they're afraid…
• when they're lonely…
• and when they're thankful!

Babylon vacation Bible school teaches kids and adults to love God and his Word. You'll see families turn to God and grow stronger in their faith as they open their hearts to God's powerful love. Kids will be inspired to courageously share their faith with others.

 

Come Join us for Adventures on Promise Island-where kids discover God’s lifesaving love! Amid the swaying palm trees, exotic wildlife, and welcoming sunshine, kids will learn that God promises:

• I am with you
• I care about you
• I give you what you need
• I will save you
• I will answer you

God's Promises never change, but your life definitely will! So kick off those sandals, sit back in the sand and feel the warm, gentle breeze as your kids learn about the Promises of God!

 

• Day 1
• Daily Theme: Promises for the journey
• Bible Story: Adam and Eve Leave the Garden (Genesis 2:8-17; 3:1-15, 22-24)
• Key Point: God promises to save us from sin
• Memory Verse: Forgive us our sins Luke 11:4a
• Connector: Tent
  


• Day 2
• Daily Theme: Provisions for the journey
• Bible Story: God Provides manna and water (Exodus 16:1-17;7)
• Key Point: God Provides all we need
• Memory Verse: Give us this day our daily bread Matthew 6:11
• Connector: Camel


• Day 3
• Daily Theme: Strength for the journey
• Bible Story: Jesus is Tempted (Matthew 4:1-11)
• Key Point: God gives us strength to resist temptation
• Memory Verse: Lead us not into temptations Luke 11:4b
• Connector: Sandal


• Day 4
• Daily Theme: Hope for the Journey
• Bible Story: Jesus Dies and Rises (Matthew 27:27-54, 28:1-10)
• Key Point: God's Son Rescues us
• Memory Verse: Deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:13
• Connector: Cross


• Day 5
• Daily Theme: Joy for the Journey
• Bible Story: A Heavenly multitude (Revelations 2:10; 7:9-17)
• Key Point: God's Son leads us home to Heaven
• Memory Verse: Your Kingdom come. Matthew 6:10
• Connector: Crown

 

Welcome to Big Jungle Adventure!

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Begin your faith journey with a dramatic rescue and finish with eternal glory. Five Bible stories focus on Jesus' work for His beloved children.

• Day 1
• Daily Challenge: Peace
• Bible Story:Peace, Be Still Mark 4:35-41
• Lesson: Jesus gives us peace, no matter what problems we face.
• Memory Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
  


• Day 2
• Daily Challenge: Riches
• Bible Story:Miraculous Meal Mark 6:30-44; John 6:1-14
• Lesson:Jesus knows what we need and will provide what's best for us.
• Memory Verse: “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19


• Day 3
• Daily Challenge: Power
• Bible Story: It Is Written Matthew 4:1-11
• Lesson: Jesus shows us how to depend on God's powerful Word when we are tempted to sin.
• Memory Verse: “God is faithful; he will not
  let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out.” 1 Corinthians 10:13


• Day 4
• Daily Challenge: Love
• Bible Story: The Good Shepherd Mark 15:1 – 16:20; John 10:1-18
• Lesson: Jesus loves us so much that He died and rose again so that we can become members of God's family.
• Memory Verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” 1 John 3:16


• Day 5
• Daily Challenge: Hope
• Bible Story: Praise in Prison Acts 16:16-40
• Lesson: Jesus is with us, so we can be fearless about our future.
• Memory Verse: "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:20-21

 

From the African talking drum to the smart-phone, people like to stay connected with friends and family. With this program, kids will connect with God and community in a Bible-based, social networking progression from image to profile to update to friends, ultimately sending a message about faith in Jesus Christ.

Through Scripture, music, tech-speech, movement, crafts, app daps, video, skits, and games, kids will grow in positive self-image and self-worth through Jesus Christ.  They will experience Christian community face-to-face and with technology.  Kids will discover a Black Tech connection while finding that Jesus is their BFF (best friend forever)!

• Day 1
• Daily Theme: LOOKING GOOD!
• Key Verse:"Created in God's image, we can look good, do good, and be good." -Genesis 1:26-31, The Message
• Bible Story: (Genesis 1:26-31) - Created in the image of God, we can look good, be good, and do good.
  


• Day 2
• Daily Theme: WHAT'S YOUR PROFILE: GOD DIDN'T MAKE NO JUNK!
• Key Verse:"Wonderfully and marvelously made, I am God's glorious child." -Psalm 8, The Message
• Bible Story: (Psalm 8) - Wonderfully and marvelously made, I am God's glorious child.


• Day 3
• Daily Theme: WHAT'S YOUR UPDATE?
• Key Verse:"Jesus was up-to-date on the Samaritan woman and he knows you, too!" -John 4:7-41, selected verses, The Message
• Bible Story: (John 4:7-41, selected verses) - Jesus was up-to-date on the Samaritan woman.


• Day 4
• Daily Theme: BEST FRIENDS FOREVER
• Key Verse: "Jesus was up-to-date on the Samaritan woman and he knows you, too!" -John 4:7-41, selected verses, The Message
• Bible Story: (Luke 5:17-26) - Friends bring a man who is paralyzed to Jesus, a friend who always forgives.


• Day 5
• Daily Theme: SEND A MESSAGE: JESUS IS ALIVE!
• Key Verse: "Luke writes to his friends about Jesus." -Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3, The Message
• Bible Story: (Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3) - Luke writes to his friends about Jesus.

 

What is Weekend VBS?

If you don't do VBS today or if the traditional 5-day VBS just isn't working for your church...let Group's Weekend VBS™ go to work for you!

Easy Weekend Format
Just two 2½-hour sessions and one Sunday Celebration. You choose the time and days--whatever works best for your church.

Just One Point
Every session of Group's Weekend VBS focuses on the same simple, powerful Point: Shine God's Light!
Projects With a Purpose^®

No crafts? Rocky Point Lighthouse has something even better! Kids put God's love into action by making special gifts for others in their church, community, and the world.

Multi-Age
Kids of all ages join Crews with a teenage or adult leader for each day's adventures. It really works, and discipline problems practically disappear.

Sunday Celebration
This morning service for the whole congregation is designed to let the kids shine, as they share what they've learned at VBS. And since no practice is necessary, your job just got even easier!

Puffin Preschool
Preschoolers join the other kids for the
opening and closing and enjoy their
own Bible-learning activities in between.

At Rocky Point Lighthouse, kids learn one important Bible Point, which is reinforced through Bible adventures, a key Bible verse, songs, and hands-on activities. Your VBS kids will also learn about two amazing Bible stories!

BIBLE STORIES
Bible Story #1: Jesus heals a blind man. (John 9:1-41)
Bible Story #2: Jesus dies and comes back to life.
(Luke 23:26-24:53)
KEY BIBLE VERSE
"The Lord lights up my darkness." (2 Samuel 22:29)
BIBLE POINT
Shine God's light!

 

If this is your first year coordinating your Vacation Bible School Program, CONGRATULATIONS! You've got many of tasks ahead of you but the reward at the end will be more than worth it.  We have put together a general overview to will help you create an outline for your planning schedule this year. Remember that you were specially chosen to play this role and we know you can do it!

Several Months (4-6) before your VBS get your VBS leadership team together to estimate your attendance and set dates for the program.  Go ahead and publicize the dates to your congregation and to our bookstore so you can get plenty of volunteers and find out how to get the word out in the community.  At this point start looking at which VBS program you might want to use and order your VBS materials before they are sold out, they do go quickly.  Having your team brainstorm together now helps you understand which things that will need longer preparation time, put together and distribute teacher materials and begin compiling registration lists.

Very early in the planning process staff should give thought to establishing the goals of the VBS program.

• What objectives should be met for the program to be considered successful?
• Who do you expect to participate -- children at what ages; youth; family units?
• Is God calling you to reach out in new ways to a new segment of the community?
• Are you planning a week to enrich the church children's understanding of the Bible? Or is it to reach out to new people in and fun and inspiring way?
• Is the program to be an outreach to the community?

A couple of months before your VBS you will want to start distributing registration forms, create daily schedules for VBS Week, start your publicity to the congregation and community, fill all the teaching staff positions and start training your team!  Make sure you have the contact information – phone numbers, email addresses and names – of the people that will be teaching and anyone who volunteers to create things.

About a month before your VBS continue to maintain your list of registered students and stay alert to any staffing adjustments needed as you finish up the details of the schedule for your VBS Week.  Follow-up with any items you have outstanding and touch base with your VBS teachers to make sure they have what they need for that week.

One week before VBS will begin your final setup up before the big event – decorations, registration tables, sorting craft and game supplies to the right rooms.  Now you should run a check of student count versus you materials.  Remember you will have some last minute people show up. Provide teachers with current information about their classes and prepare any packets you will provide to the parents.

The Day before your VBS begins run a final check of supplies (are the pencils sharpened?) and rooms.  Then take a breath and start praying for all the kids, families and volunteers that will be involved with your VBS this week.

First Day of VBS make sure you arrive early -- take time for more prayer with your teams and even in the stress remember to celebrate the opportunities to witness.  Especially early in the week, watch for rough spots needing adjustment the next day and after the children leave, brief staff meeting to catch loose ends.  And don't forget to take lots of pictures!

After you wrap up your VBS it's a good idea to collect evaluations and suggestions from the staff for future kids events at the church.  Make sure you display photographs for congregation and get a list to the Kids Church teachers, especially for families that came and are not already affiliated with the church so they can remember them when they show up for regular services. It's also a good idea to do a group thank you or send thanks yous to all the staff that helped make VBS 2012 the best ever.
If you need help, we have a great staff ready to serve you both online and in the store. You can find other supplies, like prices for games or attendance and Bibles for new believers in our stores as well. 
 
We know you will have a great 2012 Vacation Bible School experience!