RE: All things VBS

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PrincessDonna -> RE: All things VBS (7/1/2008 9:23:38 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: buckifn Does anyone charge a registration fee for vbs to help cover costs for things like t-shirts and cd's? Yes, but it's not a registration fee. We ask people as they sign up if they would like a CD and if they do, it's $4. If people don't want it, they don't pay.

zoebob -> RE: All things VBS (7/1/2008 9:44:08 AM)
I agree about not charging a registration. We don't either. We work within our budget and ask places for donations. ie If we know someone who works at the snack food manufacturing company we send them a letter asking for donations and last year got boxes of animal crackers and pretzels.

buckifn -> RE: All things VBS (7/1/2008 10:09:30 AM)
quote: No- what would happen to those children who can't afford it? Nobody is turned away. but I have a little bit of mixed feelings about charging the fee.

hjemerson -> RE: All things VBS (7/1/2008 2:11:51 PM)
NEVER NEVER < That is what the Cloclick (MIS SPELLED) I have several close friends Large families) that were of that reglion and they could never let the children take part in the activity at their church because of the cost. If you ask ,and plan your church should cover evey thing you do not have to have all the fancy extras to serv God and Teach Children about Jesus. Happy to reorber thue VBS beeing free 7 or the 9 children were saved in two summer of VBS!

buckifn -> RE: All things VBS (7/1/2008 3:45:24 PM)
I know some of the same people who would complain about a $5 registration fee are also some of the same people who go with a group I know went to Six Flags and paid over $30 for the price of admission there, plus food and drinks, which we all know is not cheap at those places..so it does make me wonder why it's such a huge deal if it is the church asking for money for an item.

hjemerson -> RE: All things VBS (7/1/2008 4:00:56 PM)
I know what you saying people will pay so much for little things But I just keep thinking of Jesus in the Temple and the money changers. When i was a child back in the 60"s a lot of church would not even allow cd and things sold. In the Church after a concert, Yes things have changed . I when to a large conf this spring and they had consession stand and eveything was as a ball game and I really do not see any thing wrong! It may it more comforable for us! But again when it comes to children and VBS many parents will not send them if it is required. We do take up a misson Offered or food for the needed,

PrincessDonna -> RE: All things VBS (7/1/2008 4:03:17 PM)
Buck, does the nominal fee turn away those who are not part of your church? If so, that is a tragedy. An absolute tragedy.

buckifn -> RE: All things VBS (7/1/2008 10:56:15 PM)
Donna Our church does not have a fee..but it is being discussed for next yr. so we are looking at both sides.

PrincessDonna -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 9:53:18 AM)
What are your thoughts so far, Buck? Just curious...and how much would you be talking about charging? Just church families or all families? A maximum per family?

buckifn -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 11:27:56 AM)
Right now a couple of options are being discussed...1. $10 fee per child for the week...max. $30 per family...or just charging $5 per t-shirt no discount for any reason...because most who want the fees are wanting it to cover costs of t-shirts and cd's.

PrincessDonna -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 12:01:53 PM)
Why do you have to have t-shirts and cds? Just trying to see the thought process... Most VBS' here do not have them, or do as ours does and have the cd as optional. Not every family/kid wants one, but they are available for purchase if they do.

Roberta_ -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 12:22:18 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: PrincessDonna Why do you have to have t-shirts and cds? Just trying to see the thought process... Most VBS' here do not have them, or do as ours does and have the cd as optional. Not every family/kid wants one, but they are available for purchase if they do. The church that I left in IN always had t-shirts. The volunteers could purchase theirs and many people would make donations so that the kids could get them for free. It helped that one of our church families ran a business where part of the business was making t-shirts like that. They would just charge us for the materials. I would usually give them $50 and that would cover 3 shirts for my family and 4 or 5 more shirts for other kids.

zoebob -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 12:28:14 PM)
Another option for t-shirts that i've seen is either give them away or have every child bring in a blank t-shirt early in the week. If the kids in a family are close to the same size they can go to DOllar General and buy a 3-pack of t-shirts for under $5. Around here ACMOore (a craft store) sells plain t-shirts for $2.50 on sale on a regular basis but the original price is still only about $3.50

hjemerson -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 1:24:57 PM)
All in all The shirt are nice but can we let the price of a shirt.cd or any thing be in the way of a child/family going to Hell? I hate to see that our churches(Mine is Baptist could be chargeing, I will strong objective) If you have fund raishers have one a few monthe before or start a special offer I think it may cause some not to come if they have to pay , A specail offer for children events (VBS etc could be take once ot twice a year) In my home church for the youth we ahad a culb 52 people would faith promise to give a 1.00 a week(could Be any amount.50) and it suppport the activities things we needed music powerpoint etc, if we neeed any thing we had a fundraisher but the people that did the club were not asked ( we also did thankyou things for are church member served at dinner for love offernd and for free as a thank you , carwash to for are adults as a thank you it worked out very well we were a church under 200)unless they wanted to help with it, Yardsale\ car wash \pie sale\s etcJ. Just and Ideal before i would ask outside or even my own menber to pay for VBS, Keep in mind who really cares for the tee shirt Do children? I worked in child devoplemnt center for 25+ years and the truth no ! It just easier for the adluts (Yes I agree lot easier and cuter! And if my children or grand children were their I would use my last dollar to buy one for them !!! ) If you have families from the poorer area it can be a hurt feeling and almost a gang thing I have worked in the inter cities if you dont have it you out cast< How many children/youth miss going to camp because of money think of that! Some parent will not let outsider know money is a problem .We would never and had to make several hard choices to have are girls go to camp etc thu the years (yes I let bill not get paied and payed the cost so my family would not be left out!) I would do it all over again So I support funraisder etc for children/yout activies !! Okay I off my soap box >

3cappuccinosmom -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 3:44:14 PM)
I'm appreciating hjemerson's thoughts. I don't mind paying a buck or two for VBS. I'm also volunteering in the kitchen (which I also don't mind, but having seen the snacks planned, I think they could cut back on quite a bit of the cost by serving simple cookies/crackers/fruit, and asking church families to sign up to bring those things). But I have to wonder whether many nominal Christians and non-believers would be willing to put money into VBS. If they're not believers, then obviously they wouldn't prioritize VBS over Six Flags or some other thing. In my understanding, one of the big draws in the VBS programs that I've ever participated in is that they are local, free, and a few hours of summer fun for neighborhood kids. Fun doesn't have to be expensive. [:)] That gives an opening to present the Gospel. I don't know many unbelievers who would really be interested in paying to have someone preach to them, yk? It's a ministry, and sometimes ministry is a little bit of a sacrifice for those doing the ministry.

PrincessDonna -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 3:51:04 PM)
I agree, Maggie. VBS should be an outreach to the unchurched in the community. In order to do that most effectively, the ideal is for the church to band together and carry the cost and not ask families to do it. Sometimes smaller churches here do VBS together, to help with costs...so that's an idea too.

lightshineon -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 9:12:10 PM)
Yes, that personal interaction is important. I was a the grocery store a few months back, and a little girl was with her grandmother. The little girl was about six or so, said to grandma " she did not even say " Hi grandmother", she had tears and her eyes. I did no not this little girl, I do not even recall seeing her before. I fiqured out, she must have been in my one of my arts and crafts groups. I said " Hi, how are you, to her, and ask her if she had fun last summer? " Or atleast, something to that effect. I have five groups of up to 50 children twenty minutes, each craft class. It is really fun, do not get me wrong, but fast moving, and you glue fast or whatever, help children. There are two helpers, but it is fast moving. There is no time between classess to clean up tables, you rip paper off some, and have some already set up. Like I said it is fun, exciting, and children love it, but, I do miss the simple one also. quote: ORIGINAL: hjemerson Lighshine YES!! I remember them! It has change thu the years as I see it helps in some ways people that have a specail calling as craft /music can help with all the ages not just the one they are in the room with. On the other side it is harder to bond with the children because they are always going from one group to another ! Some times I think we as children workers (I need) to slow down and listen to the child and have some one on one time . It really is suprising to what the children will tell you. As some say ; children tell all the things you wish they would not!! I've head it all the past 30 years!! Teens really spill the bean sometimes!!! Christ call the little children and it alway looks like he is talking to them but i really belived He listen to them to!!

lightshineon -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 9:18:16 PM)
We are doing this with two other curches, all three pretty big. This is going to be almost a circus. They are spending a tremendous amount of money. If it draws kids to Jesus that is great, I hope so, boy that would be great. I hope it is not too much though, a just having a bigger better, extravaganza. I am not trying to be negative, it just seems the more you do the more children expect. I am talking huge super-slides on the block party day, prize stations. I have mixed feelings I really do. On one hand, do what it takes. On the other hand, how much is enough 5,000 dollars ten grand? Every year it gets more, and more. I hope it is not overkill. quote: ORIGINAL: PrincessDonna I agree, Maggie. VBS should be an outreach to the unchurched in the community. In order to do that most effectively, the ideal is for the church to band together and carry the cost and not ask families to do it. Sometimes smaller churches here do VBS together, to help with costs...so that's an idea too.

zoebob -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 9:19:46 PM)
Our church has a couple leaders that travel from activity to activity with the kids plus people that stay at the stations. We help serve them their snacks, we help them with their crafts, we organize them during opening exerciss and closing, we keep them paying attention during the lesson. We do get a bit of a break during game time and can get a drink and snack but we also stand at the sides and cheer for them. During snack time we also have a couple ladies doing tattoos and face paint so they spend a few minutes talking with the kids as they work on them. They don't get painted every day but usually every other day.

lightshineon -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 9:30:50 PM)
We have leaders who lead to stations also. I am one that never leaves the craft station, I do get brought great cookies and stuff (LOL). I like the face painting idea, a breather. It is fun I am not complaining. I was just thinking of the old fashioned types were fun too. I think both are great really, and, are benifical.[:)] quote: ORIGINAL: zoebob Our church has a couple leaders that travel from activity to activity with the kids plus people that stay at the stations. We help serve them their snacks, we help them with their crafts, we organize them during opening exerciss and closing, we keep them paying attention during the lesson. We do get a bit of a break during game time and can get a drink and snack but we also stand at the sides and cheer for them. During snack time we also have a couple ladies doing tattoos and face paint so they spend a few minutes talking with the kids as they work on them. They don't get painted every day but usually every other day.

buckifn -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 9:33:26 PM)
quote: Why do you have to have t-shirts and cds? I know you don't have to have them...but we do get parent's who really complain if they are not available at the registration tables. I also hear complaints about the kids not knowing the music by the Sunday program well enough to make the program good..so their line of thinking is if the kids pre-register and get the cd's early they will learn the songs before day 1. Like someone else said it just seems more and more expectations are added doesn't it.

zoebob -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 9:43:32 PM)
We don't give CD's and the kids seem to know their songs fine by Friday night. We do give the church kids a CD so they can know the songs before VBS starts but the kids not from our church don't. We don't do a lot of songs though: 3-4 that we sang at the beginning and again at the end.

Roberta_ -> RE: All things VBS (7/2/2008 9:45:19 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: 3cappuccinosmom I'm appreciating hjemerson's thoughts. I don't mind paying a buck or two for VBS. I'm also volunteering in the kitchen (which I also don't mind, but having seen the snacks planned, I think they could cut back on quite a bit of the cost by serving simple cookies/crackers/fruit, and asking church families to sign up to bring those things). But I have to wonder whether many nominal Christians and non-believers would be willing to put money into VBS. If they're not believers, then obviously they wouldn't prioritize VBS over Six Flags or some other thing. In my understanding, one of the big draws in the VBS programs that I've ever participated in is that they are local, free, and a few hours of summer fun for neighborhood kids. Fun doesn't have to be expensive. [:)] That gives an opening to present the Gospel. I don't know many unbelievers who would really be interested in paying to have someone preach to them, yk? It's a ministry, and sometimes ministry is a little bit of a sacrifice for those doing the ministry. Our snacks were always part of the VBS theme and those of us who were "tour guides" would use them as conversation for the lessons for the night.

3cappuccinosmom -> RE: All things VBS (7/3/2008 7:10:50 AM)
quote: Our snacks were always part of the VBS theme and those of us who were "tour guides" would use them as conversation for the lessons for the night. True. But I still think it could be a simple object lesson with inexpensive snacks, rather than a big production. One year I helped as a teenager and the theme was the exodus from Egypt. One day the snack was hummus, cucumbers and crackers, and the kids got to help make the hummus as part of learning how the Israelites would have lived and eaten. That is simple, cheap, and easy, and a volunteer provided the raw materials.

PrincessDonna -> RE: All things VBS (7/5/2008 11:58:08 AM)
Our VBS float pictures... Float pre-parade...front view Float in the parade...side view They did a fantastic job! Our float won the "judge's favorite" award, and better yet...I heard many positive comments about our church and how they care for people. I hope we'll have a lot of unchurched kids for VBS, whose parents saw the float and thought...hmmm...that looks like fun![:D] ETA...they also had VBS music coming from speakers on top of the vehicle pulling the float. It was AWESOME! They had bubbles coming from all over the float and helium balloons popping out from the beaker on top periodically.

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