Over the River…

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img_5318Over the river (Little Pigeon River) and through the woods (Mt. Pisgah National Forrest) to VBS 2013 Events we go! It is going to be a COLOSSAL week!

This is the week we (LifeWay’s VBS Events Team) look forward to all year – the first in a series of awesome fun events – where VBS groupies from all 50 States, Canada, and Mexico (and sometimes even a groupie or two from Great Britain or Korea) join together for two days of exciting VBS sights and sounds!

Over 1200 VBS leaders will be our guests at Ridgecrest Conference Center later this week for worship with Dr. Shane Garrison and Austin Adamic, teaching by some of the best VBS practitioners in the country, inspiration and creativity of LifeWay’s VBS Graphics and Publishing Team, and a performance of the Colossal Coaster World Musical by a great children’s choir. AND if all this is not enough, how about 60 degree weather (we typically have ice) in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

If you are not registered for the Ridgecrest event, there is still time to join us January 18-19 in Fort Worth, January 31-February 1 in Nashville, or February 8-9 in Kissimmee. Like I said before, these events are going to be COLOSSAL so don’t miss out.

To learn how you can be part of a one of these awesome Preview events go to lifeway.com/vbs/events.

We’ll be looking for YOU!

Four Weeks and Counting…

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Hopefully it is looking a lot like – and sounding a lot like – Christmas where you are today. It certainly is here in the VBS office! But it is also looking and sounding a lot like four weeks until the first national VBS Preview at Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina.

We are in perpetual motion putting the finishing touches on a not-to-be-missed event! We have now hit capacity at Ridgecrest and the Nashville Friday/Saturday events, but there is still room at Fort Worth, Nashville Thursday/Friday, and Kissimmee.

A complete list of breakout sessions is now available at lifeway.com/vbs/events. Check it out today!

In addition to the basics for Colossal Coaster World and Club VBS: Jungle Jaunt, you will have the opportunity to explore decorating options with Mark Jones and the VBS Design Team, be introduced to LifeWay’s newest VBS resource Backyard Kids Club, be challenged by the preaching of Dr. Shane Garrison, and participate in worship with the Austin Adamec Band.

I’m looking forward to seeing you soon for the Colossal Coaster World Experience!

New for VBS 2013

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Good morning from VBS Headquarters – aka Nashville, Tennessee!

Since I know some of you are already busy planning for VBS 2013, I thought I would share a few of the changes you will find when resources are available for order December 1.

Here goes…

The Administration Guide for Directors has been changed from “chapters” to “steps.” First page is an overview of the six steps directors need to follow in planning, conducting, and following up a VBS.

Snack Rotation Recipe Cards include a Bible story related option for each day. (These are my favorite snacks for 2013!)

Missions rotation includes two short (2 to 3 minutes each) video segments per day, and two missionary families that will be followed all week. Missionary families are the Flooks, who have six kids and minister in Bolivia, and the Pillays, who are originally from South Africa and now minister in Connecticut.

Mission project is Colossal Care Kits which can be distributed to local homeless individuals and shelters.

Decorating Made Easy has undergone a complete redesign with decorations on an easier and smaller scale.

Worship Rally DVD Set now includes two DVDS for the same price. One is a DVD that includes music motions and drama. The second is a DVD-ROM with printable resources.

Bible Study Leader Guides include “Start Here!” on page one of each guide with “what now” steps.

Bible studies include a “Christ Connection” for each day.

Watch for more info in the coming weeks. Also beginning next week I will start sharing information about the exciting changes we are making and the additions to VBS Previews. As of today we are just 80 days away from the first event at Ridgecrest, North Carolina. Sure hope you are planning to join us.

2013 VBS Planning Advice

Have you started planning for VBS 2013?  If you haven’t, no worries– you aren’t behind just yet!  Some of the VBS pros have already ordered their Super Sampler or Backyard Kids Club kits and have begun collecting ideas to make this year’s VBS a success.  If you are coordinating VBS for the very first time this year, planning can seem intimidating!  Know that we are here to help you every step of the way.

For you pro VBS planners, what’s some advice you’d share with those who may be coordinating VBS for the first time?  

How early do you order your Sampler/Super Sampler materials?

When do you begin building a team of volunteers?  How do you train them?

When do you start working on decorations?  

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Looking for 2013 Club VBS resources? 

Coming with VBS 2013 – Backyard Kids Club™

 One of the most exciting things about my job is watching God put the pieces together to make something great happen. That’s what it has felt like as the plans for a Backyard Kids Club resource have come together. Here’s a sneak peak at the why, what, and who of Backyard Kids Club.

Why offer a Backyard Kids Club option? 

Many churches are looking for ways to take VBS outside their church and into their communities. Whether those communities are down the street or around the world, our Backyard Kids Club Directors Guide and Backyard Kids Club Kit provide portable resources that can be used easily wherever you can gather a group of kids!

What will be available to help organize and conduct a Backyard Kids Club?

The Backyard Kids Club Directors Guide is designed for the person or team who will be coordinating and planning the Backyard Kids Club or Clubs. Based on expert advice from folks who have held successful Backyard Kids Clubs, this guide gives easy, step-by-step instructions.

The Backyard Kids Club Kit is an all-in-one box designed for a club of about 25 to 30 kids. The traditional VBS curriculum is simplified to fit a limited outdoor setting. The kit includes leader resources for worship and music, Bible study, crafts, and recreation. A special “Host Folder” even includes snack ideas. Music CDs and a choreography DVD are included!

What if a church wants some of the “extras” that go with a traditional VBS?

Because our Backyard Kids Club uses the same Bible content, music, and theme as our traditional VBS, all the fun accessories used for a large scale VBS will coordinate with your Backyard Kids Club!

Who will be able to benefit from the Backyard Kids Club resources?

  • Churches who are looking to take VBS outside the church walls and into communities where kids are
  • Mission groups who need a pack-and-go VBS option for local community centers, campgrounds, or mission locations in other states or around the world
  • Small churches who may have twenty or fewer children, but wish to provide a summer VBS experience that will reach the kids and their families

I know there are even more ideas about how this resource could be used. What are some of your ideas? Have we gotten your wheels turning? We’d love to hear from you!

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Today on Kids Ministry 101, learn more about LifeWay’s Kids Ministry Conference! 

Easy Peasy 2012 VBS Director's Evaluations

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I know you’ve just seen months of planning come to fruition and all you really want to to is sit back and relax. But if you could, do one more thing. Just one and I promise to make it as easy as possible.

We want to hear from you. Please fill out the VBS Director’s Evaluations online here or you can complete a paper copy from the 2012 Administrative Guide and mail it in to the address on the form. That’s it! Easy peasy, right? And I promise I will read every one and pass along all your comments, thoughts, and suggestions to the VBS team to help us evaluate what you need for VBS to be easy for you.