VBS in the evening??

VBS in the evening?? (Full Version)

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3cappuccinosmom -> VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:11:12 PM)
Ten years ago when I was a teen helper for vacation Bible school, all the ones I knew of were in the morning, and usually ended at noon. I have noticed in our town that all the churches are advertising VBS for 7-9 pm. Is this a new trend? What would the reasoning be (to avoid the heat? To avoid VBS being free daycare? to make sure parents are involved?)? I was hoping to let my kids attend several different ones over the summer, thought they would enjoy it, but those hours just wouldn't work for a 3 and 5 year old in our house! [&:]

lexie -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:14:28 PM)
I remember it being the same. Maybe it's in the evening now so more kids can attend? For example, if both parents work during the day, and they are paying for summer childcare they can't take their kids out of, or maybe they can't get their kids to and from VBS. I have no clue but 7-9 seems like strange hours for young kids. There are no programs during the day for young kids at all? Strange.

clag4christ -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:14:46 PM)
Our old church here did that last summer...We couldn't have Hannah go because it was during her bedtime/sleeping time. It would be so much easier to have it during the morning. It seems odd to me to have it so late...

PrudentWife -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:16:58 PM)
When I was a kid our church did it at night. My parents always took me. But now that I'm a mom, my kids wouldn't go to a night program until they were older because of how our household schedule works. I think our church does it during the day. I honestly don't pay much attention.

PrincessButtercup -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:23:02 PM)
For our church, having it at night is essential because otherwise, there wouldn't be anyone to work VBS because everyone is at work. I would prefer it in the morning because it's pretty late for little kids. But then again, around here, people don't care how late their kids stay up.

clag4christ -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:27:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Mandicoot For our church, having it at night is essential because otherwise, there wouldn't be anyone to work VBS because everyone is at work. I would prefer it in the morning because it's pretty late for little kids. But then again, around here, people don't care how late their kids stay up. Yes...my husband and I both figured that the people putting it on at our old church just didn't take into account parents and children with a good night time routine. [&:]

isaacsmom -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:28:35 PM)
Yes, most of them around here are from 6:45-8:45. When I grew up, it was that way, too. A lot of the times, the VBS would not have any workers (teachers, game leaders, snack organizers, etc.) because most people work during the day. Our VBS is only going to be for 3 days because we would not be able to get all the help we need to do M-F and a weekend program. I'm planning on letting Isaac attend an evening one at a small nearby church in a few weeks. He'll be up past his bedtime, but it's only for a few days and I know he'll really enjoy it. We can sacrifice for a few days.

EmilyAnn -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:35:41 PM)
Our church has had VBS M-F from 5:30-8:30 for as long as I can remember.

csl7037 -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:41:23 PM)
My church is doing this this year and I'm really not excited about it. I've worked the last three summers and I always found a way to get my kids to morning VBS. I'm dreading this evening stuff, for sure. I'm going to get roped into volunteering, I know. And my kids will insist on going so I might as well. But I'm also sending them to the morning one at the church where they go to school. I've volunteered to help with that one too.

clag4christ -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:42:35 PM)
Our church in CA had VBS for a week in the morning/afternoon...but there was no shortage of SAHM's and older women who were able to help out.

SweetLittleErin -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:44:35 PM)
We always have our VBS in the evening as do most churches here. It is (for our church anyway) because most of the church members (or at least the ones who would help with VBS) work. Our church has no during the day staff at our church at all. So we do it in the evenings, for us though, our hours are generally 6-8 or so. There are some churches here that do daytime VBS, but not many. They are usually the bigger churches. Our church is too small, we usually end up combining with other small churches to get our VBS done anyway.

bluestone -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:45:16 PM)
My church has had night VBS for over 20 years. Women who tend to volunteer are at work in the day, kids are at the sitter or day care. Attendance and volunteers increased dramatically back when we moved it to night. plus, it did not interfere with normal day to day function's in the church office, or cleaning schedules. I think it is a good thing. Reaches more people. The only churches in my town still doing day time VBS are those that also run daycare centers out of the church, and a couple of old really traditonal churches.

karlie -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:53:20 PM)
quote: I have noticed in our town that all the churches are advertising VBS for 7-9 pm. Is this a new trend? What would the reasoning be (to avoid the heat? To avoid VBS being free daycare? to make sure parents are involved?)? Our church started doing our VBS at night about 10 years ago. There are several reason we do it 1. With most parents working these days, there are fewer adults free to commit to working in VBS during the daytime, so we were having a hard time getting people other than teens that could commit to all week rather than just a morning here and there. We do a full band, drama, etc, and really need a lot of the talent from our church people who are more than willing to help at night, but work during the day. 2. Fewer kids were attending because of them being in daycare. A lot of the working parents didn't have the option of taking off work long enough to get the kids there and back, and their daycare couldn't(or wouldn't) provide transportation. 3. The most important reason, is we have really started pushing it as a family time and not just for kids. We have included a lot of activities for families and it's been wonderful seeing so many dads and moms coming and staying....even grandparents. For that reason alone, we're planning on keeping it at night. None of the parents seem to mind it being at night because they enjoy participating with the kids. We get nothing but positive feedback.

bluestone -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 2:55:36 PM)
We do full music too, and have an adult class, and serve meals as opposed to snacks. We need the help that is only available at night.

SweetLittleErin -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 3:07:43 PM)
quote: I'm planning on letting Isaac attend an evening one at a small nearby church in a few weeks. He'll be up past his bedtime, but it's only for a few days and I know he'll really enjoy it. We can sacrifice for a few days. I've found that thats the attitude of most parents about evening VBS...its one week, the kids enjoy it, and they are learning about God. We tried having an adult class but most adults wont come and stay, but we always have that option. Though, some parents stay and help out in their kids' class or help with craft and snack sessions where help is always needed.

isaacsmom -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 3:20:19 PM)
quote: 3. The most important reason, is we have really started pushing it as a family time and not just for kids. We have included a lot of activities for families and it's been wonderful seeing so many dads and moms coming and staying....even grandparents. For that reason alone, we're planning on keeping it at night. I think that is so cool. There is a church here in town doing that. The VBS is for everyone -- from newborns to senior citizens.

Auben -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 3:33:26 PM)
Ours has always been in the evening, 530-8. Children who attend have to be over the age of 4 (unless the Mom is present and working, then they can go in the nursery). The focus of Vacation Bible School, for us anyway, is bringing in children from the community. If we do VBS during the day we just end up with church families with a parent who stays home.

LaurainAL -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 4:12:05 PM)
Many churches do this because many of the people who work VBS have jobs. I know some may not like it, but it beats asking SAHMs to bear the burden by themselves.

clag4christ -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 4:20:05 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LaurainAL Many churches do this because many of the people who work VBS have jobs. I know some may not like it, but it beats asking SAHMs to bear the burden by themselves. There are lots of retired men and women who could volunteer to help so that not just SAHM's would be required.

LaurainAL -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 4:21:37 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: clag4christ quote: ORIGINAL: LaurainAL Many churches do this because many of the people who work VBS have jobs. I know some may not like it, but it beats asking SAHMs to bear the burden by themselves. There are lots of retired men and women who could volunteer to help so that not just SAHM's would be required. If only they would[8\|].

SweetLittleErin -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 4:22:34 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: clag4christ quote: ORIGINAL: LaurainAL Many churches do this because many of the people who work VBS have jobs. I know some may not like it, but it beats asking SAHMs to bear the burden by themselves. There are lots of retired men and women who could volunteer to help so that not just SAHM's would be required. In alot of churches (ours is like this) the retired men and women dont want anything to do with the stuff for the kids, VBS included. Its sad but there is quite often a division between age groups and its usually the moms that end up putting on most kid oriented events.

isaacsmom -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 4:25:40 PM)
quote: If only they would . Yup. [&o] Thankfully our church has a good mix of SAHMs and a few retirees who actually will volunteer so we'll have ours in the morning this year. But again, only for 3 days because the help is sparse (very small church) and gas prices are so high.

clag4christ -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 4:27:07 PM)
Ah, see...that's where the church leadership should step in, imo, and encourage them to be more involved in the church and it's programs. Especially older women...they are called to be mentors to the younger women on how to be proper wives and mothers, etc. If they're not volunteering in small things like VBS it's a good bet that they're not fulfilling Titus 2:3-4 which requires much more effort in relationship building and love... Pity [8\|].

LaurainAL -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 4:31:52 PM)
quote: If they're not volunteering in small things like VBS it's a good bet that they're not fulfilling Titus 2:3-4 which requires much more effort in relationship building and love... Yep.

Karaboo2 -> RE: VBS in the evening?? (5/30/2008 4:31:59 PM)
What is surprising me with the VBS' around here ... Okay, some are doing the 'traditional' morning ones ... great for us -- BUT there are a few which are doing evening ones ... AND afternoon ones ... but they seem to all be in reverse -- the ones for preteens and teens are in the afternoon, and the ones for the 4-8 age group are from 7-10pm! Now, my kids in that age range are in bed by 8 at the latest ... why aren't they doing the younger in the afternoon and the teens in the evening?!?!?!??!?

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