VBS Director

[TRACYR]

I was just curious, are we the only church left that still includes Youth as a class in VBS? The church I grew up in always had it up till 12th grade and when we started VBS 6 years ago at the church I'm at now they laughed when we said we were having a class for the youth, but they stopped laughing when they saw how many youth came out and had fun hanging out with their friends. The first 2 years we only had 6,7 & 8th grade, but after several youth asking if they could still come after 8th grade we expanded it to include 12th grade. Our Youth class is as big as our other classes. The problem we have every year is though is that the Youth teaching manual never coincides with the theme that is being used for the rest of the children. Can somebody tell me what they do? Luckily last year and again this year I have a teacher willing to make up his own lessons based on the scripture the rest of the children are being taught, but that's not always the case.
Tracy

[houseparent]

Our church only goes up through 5th grade. We are a small church and our youth help with putting on the VBS. I try to match them with responsibilities that will be fun and work to their strengths. I would love to have something where they could just participate, but I don't have the gift or resources.

[TrinityJen]

Like Houseparent we only go through 5th grade and 6th and above are helpers.

Last year we went to 6th grade to invite back some kids not form our church. They had a non-rotating advanced class. But we decided not to do that again this year mostly because it just didn't 'fit' for our kids. And 1 really wanted to be a guide and Friday ran off to help with a pre-school class. So - for us the kids would rather be helpers. I guess it is a right of passage. If I wasn't struggling to find help for the 10 groups I have now, maybe I would think about it again.

I think that there is a post saying that in 2009 GL will have more class age levels.

[Christy]

Yep, SonRock Kids Camp includes brand-new Youth and Adult components that are based on the VBS Bible content. This is one of the things we kept receiving requests for - you're not the only one, Tracy. :)