Is Vacation Bible School - Page 2

lamby248 · 07-17-2006, 09:55 PM

Well, that does sound a bit odd for VBS. I don't believe that it should really be like that. It should be fun for the kids, not work.

I wouldn't send her back, especially if she doesn't want to go.

Starlite · 07-17-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (scruggle @ July 17 2006,20:45)]The church my ds went to last year was a Baptist Church too. Hmm.. that must just be a weird church! What does the friends mom think? Have you talked to her?

My friend is Korean and speaks very broken english. *She's a sweet person, but we've never had a full, complete conversation about anything. *Our conversations usually consist of a lot of "huh's" and repeated words. *She seems to love this church and is constantly inviting me to attend. *I don't want to say anything negative about her church and hurt her feelings, but if she asks me why dd's not returning to VBS, I'm going to tell her that I feel that the long list of bible verses seems to be a bit much for the kids' ages. *It almost sounds like boot camp, not VBS.

My dd told me that there are 30 kids in her class. *Perhaps she has that number wrong -- I'm not sure. *Is that the normal size of a VBS class or does that seem a little large?

desertmom · 07-17-2006, 10:07 PM

Personally, I would complain. I just sent my son and he had a blast! They did songs and dances and crafts, along with watched a kid's christian movie, got to run around and roughhouse, had a snack and learned about Jesus. I'm sure the church would like to know about those that aren't happy with it. This church actually hired an outside crafts company to teach the kids. Plus they got a free T-Shirt. Not bad for $25 for the week, when all the other camps, for the same hours, are $150!

Jillypoo · 07-17-2006, 10:14 PM

We are currenly having VBS at our church and that is nothing like we are doing either. Our kids are broken into 4 groups and they rotate between crafts, snack & recreation, a bible lesson, music (learning really cool songs) and a short video segment at the end of the night with a little character whom is basically on an adventure and each night leaves you hanging so you want to come back the next night just to see what happens to hime (he is a little chipmunk). We have a small bible verse that they memorize and get a small reward for (tatoos, pins, etc.) But certainly not 25 of them and they just do the one for the night.
I am sorry that your dd's experience was not a pleasant one! I hope that you would be able to find a different church for her to attend a VBS just so she knows that they are not all like that.

Jillypoo · 07-17-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Starlite @ July 17 2006,23:01)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (scruggle @ July 17 2006,20:45)]The church my ds went to last year was a Baptist Church too. Hmm.. that must just be a weird church! What does the friends mom think? Have you talked to her?

My friend is Korean and speaks very broken english. She's a sweet person, but we've never had a full, complete conversation about anything. Our conversations usually consist of a lot of "huh's" and repeated words. She seems to love this church and is constantly inviting me to attend. I don't want to say anything negative about her church and hurt her feelings, but if she asks me why dd's not returning to VBS, I'm going to tell her that I feel that the long list of bible verses seems to be a bit much for the kids' ages. It almost sounds like boot camp, not VBS.

My dd told me that there are 30 kids in her class. Perhaps she has that number wrong -- I'm not sure. Is that the normal size of a VBS class or does that seem a little large?

our groups only have 10 - 15 kids in them

Starlite · 07-17-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (desertmom @ July 17 2006,23:07)]Not bad for $25 for the week, when all the other camps, for the same hours, are $150!

Ah ha! There's the problem -- this VBS is free. I guess you get what you pay for.

Come to think of it, most VBSs in my area are free. I've never heard of a church charging for a VBS. However, I do think $25 is very reasonable and I would pay for something like that if I was sure dd would have fun.

ruby1988 · 07-17-2006, 11:34 PM

i think vbs and church camp are two different things...but i agree that they're supposed to be fun. most vbs programs follow a particular theme for the week. last year, the church we went to did a tropical island theme. they had snacks, skits, stories, songs, games, crafts, etc. each parent helper had a group of 5-8 kids and 1 teenage helper. it was a great time for everyone--and it was free. could be that the vbs your dd attended was inexperienced with vbs programs or maybe they didn't have a lot of adult help.

stephpook · 07-18-2006, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Ah ha! There's the problem -- this VBS is free. I guess you get what you pay for.

Our VBS (as far as I know) was free. It was entirely staffed by volunteers. They did do a "Sponsor a Kid" thing for the congregation asking for $25 donations to cover the cost of sending a kid to VBS though.

maoftwinboys · 07-18-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Jillypoo @ July 17 2006,23:14)]We are currenly having VBS at our church and that is nothing like we are doing either. Our kids are broken into 4 groups and they rotate between crafts, snack & recreation, a bible lesson, music (learning really cool songs) and a short video segment at the end of the night with a little character whom is basically on an adventure and each night leaves you hanging so you want to come back the next night just to see what happens to hime (he is a little chipmunk).

This sounds like our VBS. My kids love it and are wore out afterwards (we have ours in the evening). My DS will even "talk me into" finding and buying the CD because they usually love the songs so much. They usually have a big "concert" at the end to show the parents the songs they've learned.

I am sorry your daughter had a bad experience - the VBSs we've been to have been nothing but fun!

braegan-beads · 07-18-2006, 10:03 AM

our VBS is completly free, the kids don't pay a thing and we actually have a van and bus ministry that goes to the kids home to pick those up who's parents don't drive or don't or won't take them to church...