Vacation bible school?
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Anonymous
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Our church offers vacation bible school for a week and I'm debating having my 4 yr old DS son attend. I'm a little hesitant since he takes a while to warm up in new situations (very good chance of him clinging to me and crying for me not to leave) and since there's so many kids of different ages attending I worry it will be much more hectic than preschool. I'm fine trying it out, I just don't want him to then have a bad impression and not like going to church at all in the future.
I wasn't raised with much religion so am not familiar with VBS and would love to hear about other people's experiences, if your kids liked it, etc. I know it will of course vary from church to church but there has to be some similarities I would assume. Thanks for any advice! |
Anonymous
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At VBS, the kids are usually broken down by age; our church goes by grade level, beginning with pre-K, and goes through 6th. VBS is usually a lot of fun and the kids love it. Most churches use prepared materials around a particular theme, and there are stories, music, crafts, and games that go along with the theme. There are usually lots of moms and teens working as helpers (our church asks that the parent of any child who attends volunteers at least one day).
With a 4 year old, it would not be unusual to have a little clinginess at first, but there is usually so much activity going on, chances are he'd quickly recover. If a child is having too hard of a time adjusting, the director might let you stay for a while. I have many fond memories of VBS growing up. My kids loved going and one now helps with it every year. Your child will probably love it, OP!! |
Anonymous
| My kids are going, youngest went last year at 5 loves it! |
Anonymous
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I still have memories of VBS -- I loved it!
My parents were not religious at all, and I did tend to come home proslytizing a bit.  But we did tons of crafts and music and outdoor activities. It was easily the best week of the summer.
I think 4 is time for kids to start breaking free. Like I said in the sleepaway camp thread - they'll cry when you drop them off, then they'll cry when you come to take them home.
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Anonymous
| I never did VBS growing up, and so far I haven't sent my kids. One thing that I was a little nervous about was that it is staffed almost 100% by volunteers. And then my one dd has a food allergy, so I was concerned about how careful people would be and how much experience they had being in charge of a group of kids and things like that. It seems like the pps have fond memories. Maybe I could go observe or something one year and see how well run it is? |
Anonymous
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I think they are pretty harmless and most kids really love it. It's so low stress and people are very patient.
At 5 years old, our son absolutely loves it. I asked him about his day and he said, "Art, snack, play outside, some stuff about God, music and then you pick me up." |
Anonymous
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Does your DS have a friend who might like to go too? I find new situations like this are easier for my DD with a friend. I have volunteered many times for various VBS programs and all have been a lot of fun.
On the other hand, it's likely a short program - just a few hours a day for a week and may not be worth the anxiety that it will cause for both of you. I know at our church VBS is usually free or very inexpensive. Maybe you could have him try it for two days and then re-evaluate? (Careful to be up front about this though, otherwise you might set up a situation where DS feels like he can get out of staying at camps/school by crying or saying he doesn't want to go). |
Anonymous
| I went to VBS with a friend from my neighborhood when I was about 5. It wasn't my church. I remember doing a lot of crafts and playing, but my parents remember when I came home and told them we passed a golden bull around....I think I actually meant bowl. They still laugh about that. |
Anonymous
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I went to VBS for years and loved it. Fond memories of crafts, singing and a snack of graham crackers and apple juice. My biblical knowledge is pretty poor considering how many years I went, though
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Anonymous
I've always wondered about this so I hope no one minds if I ask it here in this anonymous forum. Is VBS a predominantly Protestant "thing"? I am Catholic and grew up going to Catholic schools but never remember having VBS, but I now hear it when other moms mention it or in forums (fora?) like this. Thanks! It's just something I wondered about! Or, maybe other Catholic parishes/schools do have VBS and I am just out of it!!!! 
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Anonymous
Yes, to my knowledge it is a Protestant thing. I live in upper MoCo, and we have lots of Catholic children who attend my church's VBS program because there is nothing like it at their church. |
Anonymous
| I grew up Catholic as well and never really heard of it, but I know some Catholic churches in this area do it. I used to live in Chicago, then WI, moved to TN, then here. It seems to me that VBS is more prevalent the further south you go, but I may be wrong. In IL/WI, I don't remember ever hearing of VBS at all growing up. |
Anonymous
| I grow up going to VBS every summer. It was a lot of fun...basically an affordable mini-camp at a church. |
Anonymous
Hi! I'm also Catholic and never heard of Vacation Bible School growing up (mostly in Massachusetts) either. As a teen, and for most of my early adulthood I lived in California, and that's where I first heard of it/saw signs on Protestant churches. About 6 years ago we moved here to Northern VA, and I've noticed in the past few years the local Catholic churches getting into it as well...I know a lot of Catholic families were sending their kids to the Protestant VBS, so I guess the Catholic churches felt they better get on it too!
My son will be attending our Catholic parish's VBS for the first time this summer, but it's our parish's 3rd summer offering it (I think?) |