It’s the beginning of the new year — time to plan a VBS! As you know, Ministry-to-Children loves Vacation Bible School and we frequently feature reviews on new VBS material. However if you’re in a financial pinch you can plan a VBS on a shoestring budget – don’t miss our free VBS curriculum downloads. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Work with another church. What a great opportunity to build relationships with other churches in your community! Contact local ministry friends and pitch the idea of sharing a VBS. By sharing the event, you can save money and give your church a big picture view of Christian ministry. I’ve even seen three churches working together on VBS and summer camps. Amazing!
Ask for donations. Need a few things to pull of a successful VBS? I say ask for help! Make a list of all the things you need from wrist bands to snacks. Get as detailed as you can. Pop a donation request list in your children’s ministry bulletin or the church bulletin. Talk about your needs and develop a spirit of camaraderie. Together you can get it done! You can also try an angel tree. Put the needs on paper decorations and hang them from a Christmas tree. Encourage the church members to check out the tree and participate.
Shorten the length of your VBS. In lieu of a full week, pare down your program to just a few days. Try a three-day VBS or a one-night kids’ crusade. A shorter program can save you money.
Plan for the off-season. You can find deals on VBS during the off-seasons. Consider rescheduling your event to a different time of year.
Keep it simple. I love all the bells and whistles but sometimes you have to cut back on the extras. Make “keep it simple” the mindset and remind all your volunteers to do the same. For example, don’t offer a full dinner menu at your VBS. Instead offer snacks. Don’t go for the full-blown auditorium decorations–just decorate the stage. Simplicity will save you money.
Of course with any of these ideas you should follow copyright rules.
Read more from Mimi by following her blog at Tools for Kids Church.
