When I went to VBS way back in the 70's, it was fun. *I don't remember all the details, but I seem to remember that we sang some songs, listened to some bible stories, talked about God and Jesus, learned a bible verse or two, and just had a fun, relaxing time.

Last week, my neighbor asked me if my 7 y/o dd would like to go to VBS with her dd. *I talked to my dd about it and she decided she wanted to go. *I informed my friend that dd couldn't go the entire week, only a few days, and my friend said that shouldn't be a problem. *Here is my dd's recap of what happened today:

They went into a big gym-type facility and listened to a pastor give a speech. *Then some of the kids (my dd didn't get chosen) got to play a version of 'Deal or No Deal'. *In lieu of money, they used food and toys. *Then they went back to individual classrooms and my dd said they listened to part one of a bible story. *Then the teacher tried to teach the kids some bible verses. *Somewhere intermingled in here was a potty break and a snack. *That was pretty much it.

My dd came home with a sheet of paper and 25 bible versus she had to learn and recite in front of the class. *There's also going to be a written test on these where they have to fill in missing words in the verses. *Apparently they're going to do these tests on Wednesday. *My dd told the teacher she wasn't going to be there on Wednesday, and the teacher said she needed to try.

My dd said she didn't have very much fun. *Unfortunately, this was overshadowed by my dd losing a watch she liked, but that's for a separate post. *My dd doesn't want to go back, and I don't think I want her going back either. *Is it me, or does this sound like some heavy-duty work for 2nd grade VBS?

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"Everything happens for a reason, but there may not be a point." ~ Kinsey Millhone

WOW! That's entirely too much! My ds went last year and they made crafts and learned some songs. Then on that Sun, they sang the songs and did a little skit for the parents. It was NOTHING like that! I don't know what denomination the church that your dd went to, but that may hbe part of it.

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Alicia (Tree-hugger wannabe)
mom to Shawn, Jake, and Toad
"Chick" out the Scrapbooking Forum for great handcrafted Occasion Ideas!!

Our VBS is nothing like that!!! Our kids sing songs, do crafts and learn Bible stories in fun ways. There is always a swim party in there too. I don't think I would send your dd back either!

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~Happiness is a large family~

Gosh thats crazy. I don't blame you either if you don't send her back. I remember it was a blast growing up. Nothing like that.

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When Jesus returns, will you be ready???

Our VBS is divided into like 6 sections a day...they go to each section about 30 mins each..
snack
bible story (acted out by the youth)
missions
recreations
crafts
music

Gosh i thought you were going to say your daughter was a teenager!!!!!
I probably wouldn't send my boys back either. What happend to the fun???

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

Thanks for agreeing with me that it sounded like too much work. *I realize it's been awhile since I'd attended VBS, but I didn't think it changed that much! *I can understand them learning a bible verse or two, but that list of 25 is a little steep.

Also, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with the kids playing 'Deal or No Deal'. Maybe I'm thinking too much here, but I don't think imitating that game show is appropriate in a church setting, even though they're substituting food and toys for money.

Someone asked what denomination this church was -- it's a Baptist church.

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"Everything happens for a reason, but there may not be a point." ~ Kinsey Millhone

My church just had VBS last week (it's also a Baptist church). I was helping in the nursery until my son got sick and I had to pull out. The "curriculum" was NOTHING like what you're describing! We had a bible lesson, singing, game time, snack, craft, etc. There were bible "memory" verses for each day - but they were just one line and there certainly weren't any tests. I wouldn't send my kids back either. That sounds insane.

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8-27-2003), Ian (9-28-2005), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

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?

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Alicia (Tree-hugger wannabe)
mom to Shawn, Jake, and Toad
"Chick" out the Scrapbooking Forum for great handcrafted Occasion Ideas!!

ok we go to a baptist curch as well and our VBS was like 1 month ago, anyways, it was so much fun, the kids started in the aditorium and heard a 10 minute service did a penny offering with boys against girls. they raised over 2500 in pennies, all the money went to a a pastor in Mexico who has no place to live, he is living with different families spreding the word. there was games based around the bible, crafts, snacks, they had a state trooper come in and talk to the kids about drugs and alcohol, then a race car driver came and spoke to the kids about following Gods plan and making good desions then they all go to go outside and look in the race car.. my son had a blast... they did it more based around games to hold the kids interest.. he had 2 verses to remember all week and they were small like 2 liners... and Logan is 6...

so i have no idea what kinda baptist church she went to but that to me is crazy...

oh and because the girls beat the boys in the penny offering at the end of the week, the big guy who was in charge of the boys offering had to stand in a big kiddie pool and all the kids got to dump slime on him....

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IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT CAN MATCH THE HEIGHTS OF A MOTHERS-LOVE...

IT'S THE DEPTHS OF A MOTHERS GUILT!!!