What is VBS?
VBS is different than normal church, as it is set up like a day camp with different activities at various stations throughout the building.
Who is VBS for?
VBS is for children who are age 4 up to those who just completed the 6th grade.
We attend another church or do not attend church. Can we come to your VBS?
Our VBS is open to anyone who would like to participate. We get a significant number of kids every year who attend other churches in the area and some who have never been to church. Everyone is welcome to attend our VBS.
Is there a cost to attend VBS?
There is no fee to register or attend our VBS. All activities are provided for free. There are some items available for purchase – t-shirts and music CDs – but these items are completely optional.
What should my child wear?
Casual attire is best (shorts, t-shirts) with close-toed shoes (no flip flops please; tennis shoes preferred). Your child will have game time outside every day, and they will need to be comfortably dressed. Sometimes crafts can get a little messy, so wear something that you don’t mind getting dirty. Since they will be outside, please put sunscreen on your child before dropping them off.
What should my child bring?
As little as possible. They will be moving from room to room, and unnecessary stuff can get lost easily.
What do I do if my child leaves or loses a personal item during VBS?
We keep a VBS Lost & Found box for all misplaced items throughout the week.
During the week of VBS, you can stop by the VBS Information Booth to check it out. After VBS, you can contact the Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Becky McLeod, at 740-695-0971.
Is a snack provided? How will my child’s food allergies be handled?
We do provide a daily snack. Make sure you indicate any food allergies on your child’s registration form. We also offer bags of Skinny Pop popcorn as an alternative to the daily snack for those with allergies. We make sure that the daily snacks we provide are nut-free (our most common allergy). Each day we provide water and lemonade to drink.
If what we provide doesn’t work for your child, you are welcome to provide your own snack. Please give it to your child’s group leader at drop-off and make sure it is labeled with your child’s name.
How do I know what’s going on throughout the week?
We send out an email to parents the week before VBS starts with all the info you will need for the week. Unfortunately, spam filters can catch these emails. Please check your spam filter and add bmcleod@eastrichlandfriends.com to your safe senders list.
How much are t-shirts? Does my child need one? How do I pay?
T-shirts are $10-$12 for adult volunteer sizes and $8 for child participant sizes. You can pay for your shirts when you register here. They are not required, but most kids buy one. It’s fun to see a sea of kids wearing their VBS shirts.
T-shirts will be available in the Grand Concourse during the week of VBS and will be sold until gone (cash or check accepted). Priority will be families who have pre-paid online.
How much are music CDs?
The VBS music CDs are $1 (cash or check) and will be available at the VBS Information Booth.
Why do you collect money and food during VBS?
During VBS week we collect food and money for our Bountiful Backpacks Ministry. This ministry provides food to local children who might otherwise not have enough to eat. Click here to read more about the Bountiful Backpacks Ministry. To find out what kind of food items your child can donate to this ministry, click here.
What time should I bring my child?
Come early on Monday. Doors open at 8 a.m. for walk-in registrations. Since it’s the first day, it takes a little longer to get everyone checked in. Tuesday through Friday the doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Our opening sessions start at 9 a.m., so make sure you arrive in time for them to get checked in for our opening. Your kids won’t want to miss it!
Where do I park for drop off and pick up?
Participant Parking: Turn onto Friends Church Road from US Route 40. Drive past the main church building, and turn left into the parking lot in the rear, which will take you to the Main Entrance of the Grand Concourse. Enter and exit the building only through this Main Entrance in the rear of the building. All other doors will be locked during VBS for security. (If someone else will be dropping off your children for VBS, please share this information with them.)
Volunteer Parking: Please park in front lot off of Route 40. This lot is for church staff and VBS workers only. Volunteers and their children may enter through the Foyer doors from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. each day. After this time, the Foyer doors will be locked for security. Please do not enter at the steeple doors.
How do I drop off/pick up my child?
We ask that you park in the parking lot at the back of the building by the main entrance, walk your child(ren) into the building, and drop them off at their group (in the Sanctuary for grades 1-6 and at the KidZone hall for 4 years – kindergarten) each day. You will be asked to sign them in. If someone else is picking them up today, please tell the leader at that time.
For pick-up, return to the same location(s) where you dropped off, and sign your child(ren) out. If the closing session is still in progress in the Sanctuary (12:00 – 12:30 p.m.), you are welcome to have a seat at the back to watch the fun!
What if someone other than me is picking up?
Please let your child’s leader know at drop-off if someone other than you is picking up your child.
What do I do if I need to pick up my child before dismissal at 12:30 p.m.?
Enter through the Main Entrance, and go to the Registration booth. Let them know who you need, and they will locate and bring your child(ren) to you.
Can my child be in a group with a friend?
If you would like your child to be on the same team as another child, there is a place to note that on the registration form. We try to honor requests for your child to be with their friends. Children are divided up into teams within three departments – Preschool (4 years – kindergarten), Elementary (1st – 4th grades), and Pre-Teens (5th – 6th grades). All of our games, crafts, and lessons are geared toward specific ages, so we do not move children from one department to another. Also, if there is a large age gap between children (more than one grade) we ask that your child stay in their age-appropriate group.
Can we still come if we miss a day of VBS?
While we would love to have your kids with us for all five days, we understand that sometimes families have other commitments, or things can come up when life happens. We often have kids who miss a day here or there, and that is not a problem. If you know ahead of time which days you will be missing, please let your child’s leader know.
What safety measures do you take?
Safety is very important to us. All volunteers have been screened with a background check per our policy. Additionally, we have a security team monitoring the campus and making sure that everyone is safe and healthy.
Can I stay with my child during VBS?
Due to our safety policies, we are unable to allow parents or anyone not a pre-screened VBS volunteer to remain with the classes.
Can my teenager volunteer for VBS?
Yes!! We depend on our student helpers to make VBS run smoothly each year. Students currently finishing 7th through 12th grades can serve as volunteers. All student helpers need to attend a training prior to VBS.
For more questions and information, please contact the VBS Director, Becky McLeod, at 740-695-0971.