Curriculum

Vacation Bible School

VBS programs are designed to be run for a week in the summer and include a strong teaching component with related drama, crafts, activities. Most are designed for 5 half days. Churches sometimes run them one day a week for several weeks, in the evenings or as a weekend program. Others adapt to use as the chapel component in full day camp programs. The VBS orientation is most attractive to the existing congregation with it’s emphasis on parental involvement, teaching and discipleship. Bringer opportunity is often limited to friends. Full daycamp programs have a strong attraction to community families who are looking for affordable programming for their kids.

Mega Sports Camp

www.megasportscamp.com

Product Information

Game Plan - teaches kids about the divine plan God has for them and how sticking to it will insure success for their lives on and off the field. Theme Verse: Jeremiah 29:11,12 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

Beyond The Gold - teaches children how athletic disciplines can make a difference in their physical and spiritual lives. Theme Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:24,25 (NIV) "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

Breaking Free - teaches kids how to overcome things that hold them back spiritually and physically. Theme Verse: Hebrews 12:1,2 “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."

Comments from those who have used Mega Sports Camp:

MEGA Sports Camp caters to the community who are very sports minded. If you are interested in raising the bar on extreme fun and awesome outreach, then this camp concept is for you. This camp provides an opening and closing rally that permits you to interact with all the kids, getting them pumped and excited to learn skills that will remain lifelong lessons learned for both - the game and life. The sports of Soccer, Basketball and cheerleading are the recommended sports. We did these suggested sports for 2 years and last summer did Gymnastics, volleyball and street hockey.

Three rotations are required where in the first one you will learn a new skill and practice it. Smaller groups are formed where you tell a modern day “hero” story as well as a bible story. Group interactions are provided as relevant questions are presented during the second rotation. We experienced incredible God moments during these interactions. The third rotation involves game time where various team play against each other.

This is a high energy, large to smaller group appropriate VBS camp. Its strength lies in the ability to reach deep into the community and bring out the boys and girls who normally would not be interested in church or traditional VBS’s. Has phenomenal opportunity for outreach. This curriculum provides awesome booklets presenting the skills to be taught. This camp format permits individuals from the community, Christians or not, to volunteer their skills and provides an opportunity for them to hear the gospel message.
Its requirements: many volunteers are required to make it all happen as well as some specialized people to present the skills and drills. You must obtain or provide large area to maximize the full effect of full out sports. (Sports more appropriate for your available space can be substituted, but work will be required to obtain or fabricate instruction for skills portion of camp). This camp is very weather sensitive unless you have a gymnasium to accommodate the hockey and basketball.

The recommended age is 7-12. A large room(s) required for the cheerleading. We have some of our main coaches from various walks of life, donate their time and resources to this camp. Their own kids participate and keep returning. Items and curriculum sell out quickly as the fame of this camp is increasing. Order early to avoid delay in shipment. Warning: investing in this camp could change forever how you view VBS and its’ potential to your community.

Written by Dan Tambeau, Children’s Pastor in Western Ontario dantambeau@yahoo.ca

Gospel Light VBS Curriculum

www.gospellight.com

Product Description

VBS Themes change yearly. Here is an example add for one of the 4 Gospel Light VBS programs available for 2008.

Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure!

Invite your students to join SonForce Kids—God’s courageous team of disciples standing side by side to serve Him. As SonForce special agents, they will follow in the words of Joshua 1:9: Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

The SonForce Kids headquarters is located on a satellite orbiting high above the earth. In this hi-tech command center, SonForce agents gather to prepare for their five Daily Missions: Trust! Unite! Train! Follow! Lead! Throughout VBS, your students will have the opportunity to grow in their understanding of what it means to serve God with courage as they advance from Level 1 to Level 5 agents.

From the courage shown by baby Moses’ family, Level 1 agents will learn to TRUST in God’s Plans. Following Esther’s example, Level 2 agents will be encouraged to UNITE with God’s People. To help them make wise choices like Daniel did, Level 3 agents will learn to TRAIN for God’s Service. Just as Jeremiah obeyed God even when it was difficult, Level 4 agents will learn to FOLLOW in God’s Path. Finally, like Joshua and Caleb, Level 5 agents will get ready to LEAD Others to God’s Promises.

So get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure. SonForce Kids—courageous kids on a mission for God!

Comments from those that have used Gospel Light VBS Curriculum:

Our VBS has certainly evolved a lot over the years as we have watched the LORD bless this ministry and draw many gifted people into ministry.

When we first began, we viewed the various curriculums that were available and decided upon Gospel Light largely due to the format which allowed us to break the kidz down into individual classes and therefore focus on developing relationships throughout the course of the week. We also found it to be more age-appropriate, especially for the older children (10-12).

We found that the curriculum was more adaptable for a larger VBS program as we generally have 250 kids and over 80 volunteers. We have continued to use Gospel Light, although we now use it primarily for the Theme, Bible Focus and some of the Decorating and Craft ideas.

We use the main theme for our morning open session, and our worship team generally puts together a crazy skit surrounding the theme for the day. The kids worship together, sometimes using the VBS music but more often than not we find our own. The entire group then moves to crafts in the gym, then spits up and rotates through bible story, snack, sport activity. Classroom time is spent near the end of the day with discussion and activity for older kids, coloring and discussion for the younger kids. Then all the groups come back together for our closing where parents pick them up.

As I mentioned, the Lord has truly blessed this ministry and we have very committed teams who work together to bring amazing worship, awesome bible stories, great crafts, snacks and very fun sports and best of all --- very happy children !!

Written by Cathy Lilly, Children’s Pastor at Cedarview Community Church in Newmarket.