Camp Out

[sara2002]

My craft lady was very excited when she heard the theme for 2009. She said we should not do our traditional program like we always do but instead have a camp out the last day of VBS. The students would go home after VBS the staff would have time to set everything up and that evening it would be like being at camp. The students would sing the songs they learned during the week around a campfire type thing. After the program everyone is welcome to stay the night in the tents. The students are only allowed to stay if their parent is staying with them. In the morning we would close VBS with a pancake breakfast and goodbyes. Just a thought. I really like it and think we will probably do it as long as I can get everyone on board.:)

[TrinityJen]

Somewhere along the line a group of my church kids decided there WILL be a camp out during next years VBS. :eek: Not in my plans. A 'way-back-when' past director said they always had 1 night be a camp out w/ the older kids. Now reading you idea, it sounds like fun. :o I will gladly let SOMEONE ELSE plan it. ;)

[nana]

I have been thinking along those lines, but a lot simpler. I thought it would be fun to have our closing outside each night. There are 4 large pine trees on our church property, a perfect place to set the scene with a tent and a simulated camp fire (no fire, but have the logs laid, etc). I play a guitar and could teach them some silly camp songs, and then end with more vesper like worship songs. I think the kids would enjoy something different like that.
Nana

[angie]

We had our first campout during SonCanyon and have had 2 since then. The kids who stay absolutely love it! If the parents stay, a tent can be put out in the field. However, for those whose parents are "Chicken", we let them set up tents in the sanctuary. We run our regular program on Friday evening and then have some extra special snacks for the campout and usually a movie to get them calmed down a bit. Pancakes are the easiest in the morning and then they pack up and go. Since announcing next year's theme, I have already had several ask if we are doing the campout again this time -- definitely!!!

[Josh1]

Great idea!
God Bless,
Josh:rolleyes:

[freedom fries]

A great "campfire" themed Bible story is when Jesus (after His resurrection) has fish with the Disciples on the shore (John 21). This summer we continued the fun of VBS for another month (as promotion for our midweek program) on Tuesday nights. Out last meeting we had a western theme and told this story around a "campfire" (fan and red/yellow cellophane). It went really well.

[Judy N.]

A year ago we had a theme, "On Fire For God", we focused on Old and New Testament stories that had to do with FIRE. We used this story of Jesus cooking breakfast for His disciples on Easter Sunday... had a "fake " indoor campfire and baked Talipia fish (sea of Galilee fish) in the church oven. I used a recipe that dipped the fish in butter, then rolled the fish in parmesan cheese and corn meal??? I can't remember... anyway, the fish was very mild and tender and the kids loved it. We also baked frozen bread dough.

[jlbarwikowski]

I'd been thinking about trying to incorporate a camp out - but love the idea of using that time for the closing program as well. Anyone else have any input to this?

[smokey572]

I had thought a camp out would be great this year as soon as I saw this year's program. We're blessed to have a state park two miles from our church. We'll camp out on Friday night (last night of VBS) and then have a church picnic Saturday afternoon. Everyone from church will be invited to the camp out and the response to that has been great (most of the adults want to do that!) I've been working on a 'Scavenger Hunt' using clues from Bible verses. Will be a little difficult (wouldn't be fun unless they had to 'solve a riddle' to find the clue) so the adults as well as the children will be in on the 'Hunt'. My husband & I are divided on when to hold the scavenger hunt--I think before the picnic (after breakfast) and he thinks after the picnic. Thankfully, we have 5 months to work that out! Planning VBS--what a nice way to stay warm at heart the next couple months!

[cbankhead]

For those of you that have done camp outs...what a GREAT idea. We are a *tiny* church, so most of our VBS kids/familes don't actually attend there.

Do kids need a parent to stay with them?

Permission slips?

What is your general plan, and how do you handle liability concerns if children won't have a parent with them?

I'm a little worried about some of our more...um..."high spirited" kids sneaking off unsupervised! :)

[TrinityJen]

We are planing to having a camp out with only our teen helpers. It will be the Friday night BEFORE vbs. They will have training, learn the Bible stories and help decorate. We might even have them decorate their t-shirts. Last year we bleached crosses into bright colored shirts as a craft project. They REALLY looked cool. I am thinking the teens this year will have green shirts w/ a cross inside a pine outline....

I will really need help on this and I am sure I will go home to sleep in my own bed. Just what I need, to start VBS week exusted. :(

[cbankhead]

We are still ironing out our details, but it will be on the last night of VBS (a Friday night). I think we'll include most all of the kids and those with families can camp in tents, and those without can sleep inside the church (like a lock-in). We'll provide some fun games/activities and let them roast hotdogs and stuff.

[jamqueen]

These are GREAT ideas! And like most really simple things, they will stick in kids' memories long after we're gone! You're inspiring me!!!

[K-J]

We are also a small church, and our VBS is also an outreach program to kids in the community. We have camped out 3 of the past 4 years. On Friday evening we have our program, and afterwards a cook-out with grilled hotdogs and hamburgers and then covered dishes for sides and desserts. (this year we are roasting hotdogs to keep with the theme). We pitch tents in the church yard. Parents are not required to stay with their children. We mostly let the kids divide themselves up into sleeping groups. (girls together and boys together, unless everyone in the tent is family.) We always roast marshmallows and make s'mores. When it gets late, we run all the kids in their tents. Yell at them once or twice to be quite (of course). They usually start crawling out of tents around 7:00 once the sun starts to really beat down on those tents. We usually have poptarts for b-fast, and parents pick up kids between 8 - 9. The kids love it! We adults are always exhausted, especially after the busy week, but it is a great time.