VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Monday through Friday
July 21-25, 2008
9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Open to kids who will be in grades K-5 in the Fall of 2008
Registration begins in April, 2008
COST:
$30 per child or $70 per family before 6/15/08
$40 per child after 6/15/08 if space is available
Voice mail: (651) 288-3290
Email: vbs@stjohnsoflc.org
Webpage Hyperlinks:
Downloadable Documents:
VBS Highlights & Schedule
VBS Registration & Cost
VBS Operation Kid-to-Kid™
VBS Volunteer Position Descriptions
VBS Donations
Volunteer Registration Form
Informational Flyer
VBS Overview
Bible adventures, fun crafts, team-building games, great songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the activities that help faith grow into real life. Kids will even choose a daily challenge – an exciting way to live out at home what they’ve learned at VBS. At the end of each morning, parents are invited to join us at 11:30 in the main church for the closing where they can experience VBS fun for themselves. During VBS, we plan to have the kids participate in a program called Operation Kid-to-Kid ™ that encourages VBS participants to think about children in need and take action in their lives.
Teenagers, parents, grandparents and friends are invited to be part of the fun by volunteering their time and talents. You can help shepherd a group of children through the daily activities or help at one of the many stations we will have set up. We will need help with preparations, crafts, snacks, games, singing, skits, technical support, set-up and clean-up. You can download the volunteer registration form from this site or pick up a copy from the kiosk in the church gathering space. *Note: A background check is required by the Archdiocese for all volunteers.
Vacation Bible School at Saint John's is a self-funding project. In an effort to keep the tuition that we must charge for this program as low as possible, we are accepting donations. If you would like to volunteer or can help us with a monetary or material donation, please contact us.
Now, please continue reading on this site to learn more about our program. And then join us at this summer's Vacation Bible School.
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Each day at VBS, the kids will hear a Bible story which will reinforce the day's message - our BIBLE POINTS. They will also be introduced to BIBLE TREASURE VERSES which will reinforce the day's message and help them remember these very special things about God.
These wonderful Bible messages will be presented to the kids using ...
Music – kids will learn the words and motions to 10 fun songs
Craft – a new craft each day will remind kids of the daily message
Mission – kids will learn about helping other kids by doing a service project
Games – fun games will teach cooperation, sportsmanship and teamwork
Video – kids will follow fun characters on an adventure which reinforces the daily message
Bible Story Skits – kids will see a different Bible story come to life each day
Snack – kids will receive a tasty mid-morning treat
People of Faith – kids will learn about 5 important people from our Catholic history
Daily Challenge – kids will be challenged to live out what they learn during VBS
Memory Buddies – kids will meet five fun friends:
DAILY VBS SCHEDULE (all times are approximate)
8:30 Child care opens & station prep begins
8:50 Check in
Kids will gather in “crews” with an adult leader and an assistant who travel with them from station to station. The leader’s main job is to help kids understand the daily message as they visit each station. They'll also discuss Daily Challenge choices & accomplishments.
9:00 Opening
SING & PLAY-- Kids will learn the words & motions to several songs each day (pre-recorded music and lyrics will be projected). Leaders introduce the day's Bible Point, Bible Treasure Verse and Bible Story. We will see a fun skit each day. Crews will celebrate their Daily Challenge accomplishments.
9:30 – 11:30 Stations
While traveling in their crews, the kids will spend about 20 minutes at each of four different stations plus take a break mid-morning for a snack.
CRAFT & MISSIONS -- Kids will create one-of-a-kind crafts and work on an Operation Kid-to-Kid™ service project.
GAMES -- Kids will play two or three games each day which reinforce lessons in cooperation, sportsmanship and Jesus' love for all of us.
SNACK -- All the kids will come together for the snack and hear about some special People of Faith (heroes from our Catholic history).
BIBLE ADVENTURES -- Kids will experience each day's Bible story in a live and dramatic way by watching a skit. Afterward they’ll discuss the Bible Story with their crews.
THEATER -- Kids will meet our Bible Memory Buddies, and watch daily segments of the Chadder’s Adventure video. Then they'll discuss the video adventure with their crews & talk about the day's Bible message. Some days they'll also play fun games which reinforce the message.
11:30 Closing
FINALE'-- We will review with the kids what they saw, heard, felt and talked about each day using more games, more music, and more skits. Kids will select a Daily Challenge to work on the rest of the day. Parents are invited to join us for this activity.
12:15 Clean up & prep for next day
After the kids leave we will clean up and get ready for the next day. We'll pre-pack crew bags with cards, treats & activity sheets, prep crafts, snack & games, and change sets & practice skits. On Friday we'll tear down the sets, clean up and put everything away. Lunch will be provided for those volunteers and their kids who can stay and help clean up on Friday.
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VBS Registration & Cost
Cost:
$30 per child or $70 per family before 6/15/08
$40 per child after 6/15/08 if space is available.
You can download the registration & volunteer sign-up forms from this site or pick up a copy in the kiosk in the church gathering space.
Please make your check payable to SAINT JOHN'S OF LITTLE CANADA and designate VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL in the memo field. Return the completed form & payment to Saint John's parish office or place it in an envelope marked VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL & drop it in the basket at Sunday Mass.
Saint John's Parish Office Mailing Address:
Saint John's of Little Canada
Attn: VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
380 East Little Canada Road
Little Canada, MN 55117-1699
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VBS Operation Kid-to-Kid(tm)
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VBS Volunteer Position Descriptions
Sixth through 12th graders, who like to sing or act or would like to help with one of the stations, we'd like to hear from you! Maybe you'd like to help lead a crew of students through the VBS stations, or help a special student get the most out of their VBS experience by being a buddy. Read on and then sign up to join the VBS GOD SQUAD!
You can download the volunteer registration form from this site or pick up a copy in the kiosk in the church gathering space. Return the completed form to the Saint John's parish office, or place it in an envelope marked Vacation Bible School & drop it in the basket at Sunday Mass. All volunteers must complete the standard background check required by the Archdiocese.
We will host training sessions for all volunteers Tuesday, July 15, 2008. During the training we will lay out the entire VBS program in an understandable format. Scripts are provided for the Station Leaders, making the job of delivering the daily message simple and fun. Crew Leaders will also receive instructions and daily guides which will make their job enjoyable and rewarding. Everyone who attends the training will receive a copy of the music CD so that they can become familiar with the music & lyrics prior to the start of VBS.
During the VBS week, volunteers are asked to arrive by 8:30 to help set up and then greet the VBS kids as they arrive. Volunteers are also asked to help clean up their areas each day and in some cases prepare for the next day before they leave. Child care will be provided from approximately 8:30 am until 12:30 pm each day for volunteers’ children who are age 2-4 and are toilet trained. These kids will get their own little taste of Vacation Bible School during their week in the child care nursery.
Please continue reading for descriptions of all of the volunteer opportunities we have available. If you have any questions, please contact us by leaving a voice mail message at 651-288-3290 or send us an email. We'd be happy to answer all of your questions.
STATION LEADERS
There are seven VBS stations which the kids will visit each morning. Each station will have a team of leaders made up of adult and youth volunteers. All the kids will begin and end their mornings together in the main church with the opening and closing stations. Mid-morning they will come together again for a snack. During the rest of the morning, the kids will travel in small crews and visit the Craft & Missions, Games, Bible Adventures, and Video Theater stations. Read on for a description of the STATION LEADER teams.
OPENING & CLOSING LEADER(S)
We will have one adult and 2-5 youth volunteers who will learn the music & motions for 10 fun songs and practice a few short skits prior to VBS. During VBS, they will teach the kids the words & motions to several songs each day. Each day during the Opening station, the leader will introduce the kids to the day's Bible Point, Treasure Verse and Bible Story. Volunteer actors will perform the short 2-5 minute skit. During the closing station, they will review with the kids what they saw, heard, felt and talked about all morning using fun games, activities and more simple skits. They'll also direct the kids in selecting a Daily Challenge and then ask the kids to share their Daily Challenge accomplishments the following day. Detailed scripts are available for each day's program. All of the VBS songs will be accompanied by pre-recorded music and the lyrics will be projected so everyone can read along.
CRAFT & MISSIONS LEADER(S)
We will have one or more adults and 2-3 youth volunteers lead the Craft & Mission Station. They will collect supplies, prepare a sample craft, and set up & clean up the craft area each day. They will also give the kids simple directions and help them create their one-of-a-kind crafts. And they'll talk to the kids about helping others and then help the kids carry out their Operation Kid-to-Kid™ mission project. They will assist with the closing station when needed.
GAMES LEADER(S)
We will have one or more adults and 2-3 youth volunteers lead the games station. They will collect supplies and set up the games. Each day the kids will play two or three games and the leader will need to clearly explain each game (text prepared) and then help the kids have tons of fun and watch them learn lessons about cooperation, sportsmanship, teamwork and God's love for all of us. These volunteers will also assist with snack service when needed and with the closing station if necessary.
SNACK LEADER(S)
We will have one or more adults and 2-3 youth volunteers to help with the snacks each day. They will prepare and serve snacks to the VBS participants. Also, during snack time volunteers will talk to the kids about some special People of Faith (text prepared); some heroes from our Catholic history. The snack team will clean up after the snacks are served and then assist with the closing station when necessary.
BIBLE ADVENTURES LEADER(S)
We will have one or more adults and 5 or more youth volunteers to help the kids experience each day's Bible story in a live and dramatic way by performing simple roles as Bible characters. The leader will assist the team of actors practice the skits ahead of time, following prepared scripts. During VBS, they will collect supplies and set up props each day at the Bible Adventure station. After the day's skit, they will help Crew Leaders discuss the Bible Story with their crews. If needed they will assist with the closing station at the end of each day.
VIDEO THEATER LEADER(S)
We would like one adult and 2-3 youth volunteers to staff the Theater station where the kids will watch daily segments of "Chadder’s Adventure Video". They will set up the TV & DVD player each day and cue the video to each day’s segment. During each of the four sessions of Drive-In Theater, they will help the Crew Leaders discuss the video adventure with their crews. They will also talk about the day's Bible Point, play fun games which reinforce the day's message, and introduce the kids to our Bible Memory Buddies. You may also assist with the closing station if needed.
CREW LEADERS
VBS crews will be made up of elementary-age kids. Each crew will have a high school or adult leader and an assistant leader. Training will be provided which will give these teams some tips on how to talk to the kids about the wonderful Bible messages that we will be presenting. During VBS, a daily guide is provided which outlines each day's message and helps the leaders prepare for the adventure. As the crews visit each of the stations the station leader will deliver the day's simple Bible message in a unique and creative way. The crew leaders' job will be to help the kids in their crew understand that message in their own way and talk about how to apply it in their lives.
ACTORS
There are short skits scattered throughout the VBS week that we will need help with. We would like to put together an energetic group of volunteers to learn one or more parts to perform throughout the week. We'd also like at least one adult to supervise. They will need to practice each day's script ahead of time. Each morning during the Opening Station, there is an optional 3-5 minute skit with two or more characters. During the Bible Adventure Station, we'll need one or more actors to dress as Bible characters each day. Here the actors will meet the crews in character as they come to your station and then live out the day's Bible story for them. Occasionally, they may be called upon to play a simple role during the Closing Station.
SINGERS
We will need a group of young volunteers to assist in the musical portion of the Opening & Closing Stations by learning the words and motions to the 10 VBS songs ahead of time and then sing & demonstrate the motions during VBS week. We will provide copies of the music and lyrics prior to our VBS week. Rehearsals will be scheduled by the Opening Station leader as needed.
PRE-PRODUCTION HELPERS
We would like a group of adults & youth who can help during the weeks leading up to VBS. No training is required and times will vary based on the availability of volunteers. Help is needed in the following areas:
* copying & sorting
* decorating
* set design & construction
* snack prep
* craft & crew prep
* and many other tasks yet to be identified …
During the VBS week, we will need help setting up crew bags and station supplies each afternoon in preparation for the next day. You may be asked to:
* make copies
* sort supplies
* prepare snacks
* prep crafts
* fill water balloons
* stock crew bags
VBS GREETERS
We will need two or more adult volunteers to check the children in at the registration table the first morning. The rest of the week we'll only need one volunteer to register any late-comers. We would like all our crew assistants and station assistants near the doors each morning to welcome the children as they arrive and direct them to their crews in the Opening Station area. If available, these volunteers could also say good-bye to the kids as they leave each day.
HEALTH CARE
We would like one or more volunteers who have first aid training on site each day. We will call on them only in case of emergency.
We would also like a few volunteers who can help special needs children enjoy their week at VBS. They would escort a child with his or her crew from station to station and help them get the most out of their VBS experience.
PHOTOGRAPHER
We would like someone to take photos during Vacation Bible School. We will use some of these photos in souvenirs for the kids and in future parish and VBS advertising. Also, there is an optional "Spotlight Drama" segment that may be used to feature photos of the children in a daily slideshow. Note: the children will never be identified by name in any parish publication.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
We would like someone to cue, start and stop the music during the Opening & Closing Stations each day. They would need to be familiar with the audio visual & sound systems in the church as we would like to use the projection system to project the lyrics on the walls to all our fun songs. This will involve using a computer and the projection equipment currently in place in the church. These volunteers would work closely with the Opening & Closing Station leaders to coordinate the music and lyrics. Training and rehearsals will be arranged as needed.
CHILD CARE TEAM
We would like two or more adults and 2-3 youth volunteers to take care of our volunteers’ children who are too young to attend VBS – children ages 2-4. We'd like to give these kids their own little taste of Vacation Bible School. They will attend the Opening, Closing & Bible Adventure stations with the big kids, enjoy their own tasty snack, play fun, age-appropriate games, and work on simple little crafts. They will also participate in the Operation Kid to Kid mission project.
CLEAN-UP CREW
We would like as many volunteers as possible to help clean up on Friday after the VBS Finale'. Lunch will be provided.
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VBS Donations
If you would like to make a cash donation, you can send a check to St. John's Parish Office. Please make the check payable to SAINT JOHN'S OF LITTLE CANADA and specify VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL in the memo field.
In addition to cash, we are in need of many, many other items ranging from snacks and treats to props, costumes and construction materials. We will also need blankets. Whenever requested, the props & decorations will be returned. In the months leading up to our event, we will publish a WISH LIST. If you can help us by donating or loaning us any of these items we would be most grateful.
We would like to thank all of the businesses and organizations that have already contributed to the past successes of our Vacation Bible School program.
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