“When decorating, think big - one large focal piece of decor has more impact than dozens of little party store type decorations.” Joy Feemster

“Combine snacks with small group time, they relax more and their hands are busy!” Megan Frederick

“Print a label of the schedule for the back of the leaders’ nametags. They really appreciate it!” Bethany Cameron

“Have a plan! 160 days out. 90. 60. 30. Week of. Week after for outreach.” Jack Henry

“Put the songs in your preservice playlists in the months leading up to VBS. The songs will get in their subconscious and sound familiar when you go to teach and lead them!” Yancy

“After 13 VBS programs, my best tip is to not do it all yourself! Have a great team working with you... and let them lead their areas. They may not do things exactly the way you would do them, but that's okay!” Lisa Ware

“Do the gospel Presentation every day. When you do VBS or whatever you want to call it, it’s about sharing Jesus.” Kathryn Wagner

“It's all about relationships with your volunteers and most of all with the kids.” Shannon Teague
“If you are a bigger church or just a well-funded church, share with a smaller church. We pass on our decorations and materials to the same church every year.” Renee Hazlewood

“Start and end with prayer... for the right leaders to plan and orchestrate, for the kids who will attend, for salvation and growing faith, and for opportunities before, during, and after to be intentional about outreach and follow up.” Melinda Madison

“Our church gives parents a folder for their kids at registration. It includes an invite to family night, stuff on activities for the church, etc. It also includes some things the kids will learn about. The most logistical thing though is a decal to put in the car for pickup.” Mistie Shoemaker

“Take the time to pull all the little projects that need to be completed for VBS into a big list (the 200 "boats" you need to cut from paper plates, the squares of tissue paper you need cut for that craft, the 50 tightly rolled bulletin paper vines, welcome packets, things that need to be cut/laminated/stapled/painted, etc.) Then print each project on its own slip of paper complete with a list of supplies needed to complete it, instructions on how, and where it goes when it's done. This is SUPER helpful if you have a lot of people who want to help and have time to work on stuff at home (my older volunteers LOVE being able to come in to the resource room grab a project and the supplies, sign it out, take them home, and then bring them back done and swap for something else). It also works well for VBS workdays so you don't have to constantly answer questions or give people jobs.” Sara Jones