Future VBS themes

[Josh1]

As some people say it's never to early to plan for next years VBS. I know you're thinking we have a BIG job already in our hands and we do but here's a place to post the different themes that you think should be a future Gospel Light VBS.

Here's my ideas:

Egyptian/Desert
AustralianI was thinking of also an Arctic Tundra theme. Gospel Light has gone to all of the warm and hot places but what about cold? How about SonIce Expedition?
(This is what I'm like when I'm waiting for my SonForce Super Starter Pack and have nothing else to do right now.)
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[ana]

hey Josh --I understand the being bored part--it's hard to wait while everyone else already has the kit--my kit finally came in yesterday!!!
I'm sure GL already has the theme since it comes out in July but I really do like the Egyptian idea--actually my staff and I talked about it a few years ago--as for the ice thing I think it takes away from the purpose of "Son" (Sun)--and somebody else did an arctic theme last year--great thinking though--so when do you think you'll get your kit?
God Bless
Ana

[TrinityJen]

Josh!

You really need your kit. :eek:

Even I think it is too early to plan for VBS 2008! But I do like your ideas. 2006 there was an Artic theme, I thought it sounded fun. I had a friend who did it and that was the week the AC went out....in Oklahoma, in July, 95+ days. Hard to think about ice.

[Josh1]

I know that Gospel Light would have to have a theme picked out for VBS 2008 already to get the overview of the program and they have a field-test where they test the different activities.
That's cool that you say that about the "Son" thing. I didn't realize that until now but Gospel Light's saying is "Fun in the Son" so no matter where you are you can have "Fun in the Son". Even in the Artic Tundra.
I'll probably get my kit in the timeframe of the end of February - end of March. It depends if I sell my other kits (Group VBS). I'm borrowing the SonTreasure Island Director's Guide from the church that I volunteered at so I can plan while I don't have a kit.
I would like to know the theme for next year to see if it's one that I'll like. I'll probably not be able to do it because of a Missions Trip for most of the summer that I plan to attend.
What do you all think about a Circus theme? I love it but other VBS Directors don't because of the clowns.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[Alison from Australia]

Josh, I LOVE the Australian idea!!! Kangaroos, koalas and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We could have vegemite sandwiches for snacks. You could all come out and visit me for a planning meeting! As for the idea that Son = sun - remember that not everyone does VBS in Summer. Down here we do it in June/July but that is the middle of winter for us and it works just fine.

Alison from Australia:D

[Alison from Australia]

I'm interested to read your note about the clowns, Josh. I also love the Circus theme and have used it at various kids' clubs over the years. Can you tell me why some people don't like the clowns? I'd like to hear why there would be a problem.

Thanks,

Alison from Australia.

[Josh1]

This is just an opinion of people of another message board. One of the VBS Directors hates clowns and some kids are afraid of clowns but yet others like clowns. Also, some horror movies use clowns in them. Some VBS publishers have done a Circus theme and I think that they're brave with that decision. I think that some publishers don't want to do it because they don't want to take the risk of doing a circus/clown theme because they know that some churches just pick a VBS because of the theme and some stick with a publisher because of creativity in their program, etc. It's a money issue. Isn't everything noadays?
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[TrinityJen]

I have seen a few creepy clowns around. Enough to make me think twice.

I've seen nice ones too. One church I went to as a child had a youth clown ministry, it was cool, but I was too little to really know what they did. It would be fun to have all the kids paint there faces.

Alison - So if you are in Australia, and it was an Australian theme, how do you make it new and different? Just curious. :rolleyes:

I am just so deep in this theme and what I plan on doing, it is hard to think of other themes. I want to plan some decorations that I can use to permenatly decorate the church computer lab.

Now I am thinking of how to tie clowns into SonForce Kids - :confused: I think I am going VBS crazy.

[Alison from Australia]

Alison - So if you are in Australia, and it was an Australian theme, how do you make it new and different? Just curious. :rolleyes:

Hmm. well Australia is a big country and there are many different aspects that you could choose. If anyone decided to write an Australian theme, my guess is that it would be based in the Outback with Uluru (Ayres Rock), kangaroos, etc. This area of Australia is thousands of miles from where the majority of Australians live. (I live in Melbourne).

It would be like someone writing an American theme based at the Grand Canyon - not everyone lives near the Grand Canyon so it would be exciting for the majority of people to make it into something special.

Blessings,

Alison from Australia:D

[Lnelson92]

I keep hoping for an "Around the World" theme - France one day, Asia the next, etc. It would be great to share with the students what's happening with Christians in other parts of the world.

Plus, I could think of tons of stuff do to, make, and share...


Lee

[Josh1]

I'm on the fence with that idea. I like it and I don't. It would be great to show the kids what Christians are doing around the world but my biggest thing is decorating. How would you decorate? Another thing would be the music. Different types of music for one VBS. A bit different from the usual. Another publisher used this idea in 2005. I'm not sold with the idea but I would have to see what Gospel Light has up their sleeve for it before I decided.
I have a VBS Preview on Tuesday. (I can't wait!:D I'm going to wear my SonForce Kids T-shirt, sunglasses, black pants and black boots.) I'm going to ask the representative if SonIce Expedition is a possibility for themes.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[lavrn]

I like that idea too-- that would be neat to decorate for- each room could be a different area of the world-- they could sing " He's got the whole world in His hands!!!!"
lisa

[Teresa Peters]

As for decorating the general area, you could use flags from around the world. It would be alot of fun!

[cheriec]

I like the around the world theme, it would be different that is for sure! Wow you could use just about anything to decorate. Teach about disciples! Use scripture like in Acts where we are told to go out into the outermost parts and teach about Jesus.

[Josh1]

Here's a photo album from a church that did Standard's Treasures of the Nile VBS 2003. Look at the backdrop. It's VERY good but I know that Gospel Light would add alot to it if this theme is picked. Also, it would be a good idea because we could continue the story of Moses from SonForce Kids and you can use your palm trees from SonTreasure Island and anything you used for water. http://www.firstfreechurch.org/ministries/vbs/2003/vbs2003_photos.html
Here's also there photo album for Standard's Trading Places (the many places theme VBS). Alot of maps, flags and posters. Not alot to get excited about in my opinion. The kids could dress up for the theme everyday. Very plain in my opinion as well. I like a theme that is detailed and elaborate. This is not it for me.
http://gallery.firstfreechurch.org/v/CreeksideFriends/VBS/VBS2006/DSCN1336.JPG.html (http://gallery.firstfreechurch.org/v/CreeksideFriends/VBS/VBS2006/DSCN1336.JPG.html)
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[KimR]

How about going with "My God Is So Big!" Theme. I was watching "Honey, I Shunk the Kids" and was reminded of how much my 3 loved the oversized world at Disney last summer. Then my brain started thinking of how God is beyond our thinking. He is so big and we try to put him in a box to fit our frame of reference. The parables show us that regularly. Parable of the Mustard Seed, the Great Banquet.... There are many stories about God's Almighty Power. Basically, when you are looking at the world through a different perspective (shrunk) you see what you may not see otherwise. Just a new idea and direction to think about for a future GL theme. I was trying to think outside the box of what I have seen before. That is not saying it hasn't already been done.....my brain is aging and does fade at times!!!:rolleyes:
It is always so much fun to see what creative ideas all the publishers come up with for the NEXT VBS!!!

[Josh1]

Kim,
That's an interesting idea! I think that was what Gospel Light was trying to get at with their God's Big Picture curriculum. My church used that curriculum a long time ago. I still have the music VHS.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[NormaVK]

Kim, I think the BIG GOD idea is very clever. Its fun to think about.
Norma

[Josh1]

Many requests have gone out for SonCastle Faire VBS materials. Would you like to see Gospel Light do a castle/medevil theme?
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[ana]

I love the around the world--would definitely love a medieval but REALLY would like to see an Egyptian theme--we could make giant pyramids etc--that would be great!!!not sure about the music though

[maanki]

I like the castle theme alot ! Knights ,and a castle , a drawbridge , a king (Jesus of course !) , a court jester, find a real horse for the king to ride..lol, but horse "sticks" for the others to ride ! A round table,musketeers (all for one and one for all !), banners,flags, the "sword" of the spirit (Bible)that the musketeers would carry.....oh how fun !

Egyptian theme concerns me because alot of the decoration/symbols are related to a million gods that the Egyptians believed in that went along with their after death rituals, so we'd have to do alot of homework before we put something up as decoration.Egyptians were really into the death thing .

[NormaVK]

I used Gospel Light's "Journey with Joshua" for summer Sunday School a couple years ago. Since the Israelites came out of bondage from Egypt, I added several "Egyptian" ideas--we made mud bricks ( kids loved this!), mummy cases, cartouches, wrote all their names in heiroglyphics, etc. It was the best SS material I have ever used. An Egyptian theme would be great!
Norma

[maanki]

That's awesome NormaVK. I'm sorry, I just couldn't get passed the other stuff I mentioned...it's the decorating that would be the challenge for me. The projects you gave the children do sound fun and I'm sure the lessons were fantastic too. Thanks !

[NormaVK]

Yes, the lessons were so good as we followed Joshua as he led the people into the Promised Land. The whole theme of the material was an archeological dig. I published a little newspaper every week called "Dig and Delve" which let the congregation know what we were doing. At the end of the summer we set up a museum at the back of the church and displayed all the things we had made. It was a great summer. The idea could easily be adapted for VBS. I can see the opening/closing area becoming the base camp and the rooms the various dig sites.
Norma

[Josh1]

Other publishers have done Egyptian themes. One new publisher will be starting off with a Egyptian theme for VBS 2008.

Maanki-
I agree on the idols but that's the beauty of the culture. If Gospel Light would do a Egyptian theme, they could use the story of Moses and the Israelites and how God saved them from their slavery. Also, when the Israelites made the golden calf. The Bible Theme would be to turn away from the things that hinder our ability to work for God.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[maanki]

The culture is beautiful ,that's true.But I am very careful what decorations I bring into a VBS. Now the kids are probably clueless to what they all mean ,but putting up a Sphynx ,etc would bother me . Coz I know and God knows and I just couldn't do it. When we did an island theme,I wouldnt put up tiki tiki symbols because they are gods. I do LOVE the Bible stories that could be used ,and crafts ,archeological dig ,etc that NormaVK mentioned . I'm not against an Egyptian theme.You have camels,desert,the staff dressing up, music to help with the atmosphere. But the Egyptian culture is full of other gods symbolism and I,myself, would be very picky what I put up as decorations.

[winnipeg]

The around the world theme is fun - in 2003 Cook did the Jesus Expedition. We were only running camp a couple of days back then and didn't use the whole package so in 2004 we used parts of the packaged and made up our own sites for the "World Tour 2004 - Where are you going this summer?!"
We wrapped our teen room in white paper to make an igloo for the arctic (it is hard to get Canadians excited about winter);Brazilian Jungle; Mount Everest and Eygpt. It was a great time and the kids came away with God is with you wherever you go!

I have photos but I can't figure out how to get them to a decent size to post.