Email
I’ve almost chosen Group’s VBS several times over the last few years, and why not? They have built a strong reputation for producing excellent Vacation Bible School curriculum. But each time other VBS themes seemed to fit our church just a little better.
This year Group has done something that might finally earn them my business. Here is my preview of the Crocodile Dock VBS for 2009. Be sure to visit my Vacation Bible school resource page and my theme reviews for VBS 2009.
Be sure to check out our new VBS forums. That is a great place to share ideas or your opinion about this year’s Vacation Bible School themes. Stop by and leave me some feedback about this theme.
First Impressions Of 2009 Crocodile Dock VBS
- Bible Content: Very promising focus on God and the Gospel.
- Theme Appeal: Not a great first impression, but it works.
- Supporting Materials: Excellent, Group makes VBS easy.
- Music: Limited samples available (as of 8/2008), but what I’ve heard so far is good.
- Overall grade: A -
Crocodile Dock Theme
The setting for Group’s 2009 Bible school is the bayou (aka the swamp). This location shows some original thinking and will capture kids attention. Don’t confuse it with Crocodile ROCK vbs – which doesn’t exist and reminds me of Elton John a little too much.
The reaction on the Group VBS forum was a little mixed. The theme is outside the box with its location, but the field test videos helped people picture the theme in action. They do admit the inaccuracy of having crocodiles instead of alligators in the bayou. But when animal characters talk, it’s easy to overlook.
Crocodile Dock Bible Teaching
[ad#kids-links]I was really excited and pleasantly surprised with the daily Bible points listed on Group’s website. Everyday offers a rock solid God-centered lesson. This is something that few major VBS curriculum publishers have been able to do. Four of the five lessons are from the book of Exodus and directly speak to God’s character. Plus on day four they jump to the New Testament to cover Jesus’ death and resurrection. Here is the day-by-day breakdown of Crocodile Dock.
- “God is with us” is based on Moses and the burning bush.
- “God is powerful” is taken from the God’s judgment plagues upon the Egyptians.
- “God does what he says he’ll do” is based on the first Passover.
- “God gives new life” recounts the death and resurrection of Jesus.
- “God cares for us” is based on the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea.
The Easy Vacation Bible School
Group has marketed their VBS materials as “the easy VBS” for several years. This is something I’ve grown to appreciate. It’s not that I want to promote low commitment ministry, rather less stress for VBS volunteers means more energy to actually minister to the children.
The Crocodile Dock VBS forum at Group is filled with practical advice and help to make Crocodile Dock even easier to use in your church. I’m always amazed at the fan base Group’s VBS has earned. You can visit Group’s Crocodile Dock VBS website here.
Music and Video From Crocodile Dock
I’ve always thought Group was ahead of the other curriculum publishers when it came to media. I really like the way they mix original VBS music with kid friendly praise songs. These repackaged songs can become a part of your ongoing mix in children’s church.
The DVD led worship rally is also appealing to smaller churches. Having the video playing, even behind your music leaders, is a great idea.
Concerns About Crocodile Dock
Too many churches doing Group VBS. This is a constant concern for churches that choose Group VBS. They are almost too popular in some towns. Since many kids make the rounds for Bible school, doing the same theme more than twice is generally a let down.
Some churches might not go for so much Old Testament. In the past I’ve been critical of curriculum publishers who seem to avoid the Old Testament. This year Group has gone the other way, which I think is wonderful. However, many theologically liberal churches avoid the hard parts of the Old Testament. The plagues, passover, exodus, and the crossing of the Red Sea are all stories that offend theologically liberal Christians. I applaud Group for their bold use of the whole Bible and am praying that Crocodile Dock VBS will help many children come to know God.
What do you think?
Please share your opinions about Group’s Crocidile Dock VBS Theme in the comment selection below. My comments are just one opinion, so let me know what you think.
Need More Help? You can find even more practical ideas on my Vacation Bible School ideas page and my Vacation Bible School crafts page.
Related posts:
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
What’s with the dig on the theologically liberal? I’ve been told that I’m liberal, but was actually interested in this curriculum. I really like how they stay with one story instead of jumping around (Except for the jump to Jesus). Anyway, we can’t do this one because we did Moses the year before last (curriculum created by a parishioner). One thing that inevitably happens with the Bible character focus is that most or more often all of the characters are male. So now I’m thinking of Augsburg Fortress’ Discovery Canyon for this reason. Although I don’t really like the canyon theme, 3 out of 5 stories are about women (although the focus is really on Jesus in several of them). Two out of five days are OT so I guess the liberals aren’t totally against the OT.
We used Group VBS last year for the first time. Our church had always used the same publisher until I took over 2 yrs ago. Everyone loved it. One of our elderly members was so excited. He said it was the best VBS he had helped with in over 30 years. It was so easy to plan and lead, everything is laid out for you.
We are in a small town and another church uses Group also. We even have some children that come to both, including my children, but it doesn’t bother them. They actually were even more excited the second time around!
We have used Group VBS for several years! It is fun and easy and the kids love it. The problem with Group is, as you pointed out, its popularity. I wish there were more than the one comtemporary theme so that maybe some of the other churches in the area would have a different VBS!
I am in charge of choosing our Churches VBS this year and am a little overwhelmed. So far Crocodile Dock and Gospel lights “Son Rock Kids camp look the best.” Has any one used gospel light before? What did you think? I sure wish the sample materials were more in detail for both. Is there another good one I am missing? Thanks
Most “theologically liberal” churches use the church calendar/lectionary, so we get plenty of Old Testament. Also, most of what conservatives call “theologically liberal” aren’t even close to being liberal.
I was part of the field test for Group’s 2009 VBS. The music was great, the stories were great, and the curriculum will be as easy to use as ever!
I think I am more excited about this theme than I have been for the past few themse from Group.
I love Group’s VBS as well. Our church did Power Lab this past summer and the kids REALLY responded well. The volunteers liked the the fact that it was easy, yes, but they didn’t have to be experts to pull off their role either. Everyone felt uplifted– that was awesome.
My concern, as you mentioned in your review, is that everyone will be doing Crocodile Dock, especially in my area (west FL). After doing a Group VBS, I’m spoiled. The other VBSs simply don’t appeal to me. HELP! I’ll be praying A LOT about this one.
I used group a couple years ago, when they did avanlanche Ranch. It was the best!!! Everything is laid out and if you do not do anything else, each week on Thursday they have a closing assembly where salvation is brought out and it is awesome!!!!! Last year we used Lifeway and after Group it was a little lackluster.
@Kim Stevens: Thanks for the feedback. I was really excited to see how much Group was pointing to God as –the point– of the lessons. I’m waiting to see more of the actual lesson plans before I commit, but for now they are in my top 3.
I’ve been reviewing 2009 vbs curriculums for the past hour and just found your review. I haven’t looked at Crocodile Dock yet, but am encouraged by what you had to say. My biggest critisism of the others I’ve reviewed is that they fail to show us who God is and point to His character. VBS reachout has done that for us the past four years, but is VERY difficult to implement and we are looking for something simpler. According to your review, we may have found it! Thanks!
Next Comments →
{ 1 trackback }