Vacation Church School
Variations,

         Even though we have been considered a small church until this part year when we passed into "medium-sized," we have designed and produced our own Vacation Church School.  We use a format that makes preparation fairly easy, requiring a minimum of staff.

            Using the secondary model where instructors stay in place and students move from class to class, we have four class periods.  Bible Study and Crafts are constants.  The other two have been Drama, Music, Scripture Memorization, Recreation, Nature Study, and Special Guest Conversations.  Two people prepare each of the four class periods with activities for those entering Kindergarten through those entering seventh grade.  (This basically means we are serving preschool through sixth grade.)  The two work together but one may lead with the youngest group and the other with the oldest.  Using the secondary model gives the instructors a chance to teach in their strengths rather than having to prepare the whole curriculum.  It also allows for more flexibility.

            The children are grouped by age such as entering Kindergarten through entering first grade, entering second through entering fourth, entering fifth through entering seventh.  If we have more, we could go to four groups but three groups gives each teaching team a class period off.  It works especially well for Crafts as they always have the fourth period off.  This gives time for cleanup and for projects to dry more thoroughly before being taken home.

            Youth are involved as Group Leaders.  One person entering eighth grade or above is assigned to each Group.  They lead the Group to each class location and assist the instructors during the period.  This way they have leadership training in each area and get to participate as well.  Some earlier involved as youth are now serving as instructors.

            Our schedule usually runs something like this:
                        Opening                     9:00-9:15 am
                        First Period                 9:20-9:50 am
                        Second Period             9:55-10:25 am
                        Snack Break              10:25-10:35 am
                        Third Period               10:40-11:10 am
                        Fourth Period             11:15-11:45 am
                        Closing                      11:50-12:00 pm
The Opening agenda has included prayer, offering for special project, music, announcements, synchronization of watches, a special guest or mission story relating to the special project.  The Closing includes music, announcements and prayer.  Sometimes the mission story or guest are featured here.
           
            When we have had an evening Vacation Church School, the schedule and length varies.  Sometimes it starts with dinner.

            Once we have the format and schedule planned, all we need are four periods of planned curriculum.  Usually what is chosen for study guides the emphasis of the other periods so they are supportive.  We have used chiefly scrap or nature crafts.  Purchased projects aren't needed due to being blessed with crafty people who enjoy leading children in making simple, but fun, projects.  Of course, there are materials to purchase even the simplest crafts.

            All Vacation Church School events culminate in a short program presented on the next or following Sunday morning in lieu of the Children's Sermon.  Children reached through Vacation Church School publicity or those brought by another family usually come and have a chance to experience the warmth and friendliness of our people.  Some return.

            Here are some topics we've developed:

            Class A - Choral Music - The Music Director and Accompanist or others who can lead a children's choir give voice training, introduce, and rehearse music that will interest children.  The one used in this Vacation Church School was a contemporary version of the Lord's Prayer.

            Class B - Instrumental Music - Each day musicians were invited to introduce children to instrumental music and to demonstrate band and orchestra instruments.  A type of rhythm band instruments, stringed instruments (guitar, banjo, harp, violin), brass (trumpet, trombone, etc.), percussion (drums), and reed (saxophone, clarinet, etc.).  Children were allowed and encouraged to try the instruments and be actively involved in the music.

            Class C - Bible Study - We featured the "Lord's Prayer" taking a portion to study and work on memorization, if not already known, each day.  The excellent resource we used was "The Lord's Coloring Book" from Focus on the Family.  A phrase from "The Lord's Prayer" is used at the top of each page in sequence.  At the bottom are notes which help the teacher prepare to lead a discussion on that portion of the prayer.  Consulting a commentary or other resources is also helpful.

            Class D - Crafts - The Craft Instructors knew what portion of "The Lord's Prayer" we were emphasizing each day and reviewed it while the crafts were being completed.  Nature crafts emphasizing birds were constructed.  An emphasis was made that if God is concerned about birds and makes provision for them, He will do the same or more for us who trust in Him.  A bird feeder made from a small pine cone on which peanut butter is spread and then rolled in birdseed, and hung from a tree; a heavy-paper bird shape with holes punched along the bottom was strung with loose pieces of yarn for nest making; and a bird mobile with several birds colored and decorated with feathers were several projects used.

"GOD HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE" VCS/DAY CAMP

            In Opening and Closing - Choral Reading of verses for memorization.

            Class A - Special Guest telling about how God has worked in their life to show them His plan for them.  They tell how they found their life's work, how they prepared, and how God has been with them and others because of this choice.  Each day a field of work is featured.  Our schedule was: Monday-Ministry with our pastor as guest; Tuesday-Medicine with a nurse; Wednesday-Trades with a plumber and a mechanical engineer; Thursday-Business with a business executive and a secretary; Friday-Public Service/Education with a teacher.  All guests were members of our congregation.

            Class B - Bible Study.  Scriptural basis for the occupation of the day and what it could mean if we made that choice: preparation, opportunities, ways we can serve God now in preparation for adulthood and our life work as well as stories of people God is using in this field.

            Monday: God loves us and has a plan, John 3:16.  He calls us to ministry, Matthew 28:18-20.  Ministry now, future, and what would happen if we chose ministry as our life work.

            Tuesday: 1 Peter 2:24 and Psalms 103:3, Luke 10:30-36.  Information about our denominational commitment to medical help in this country and around the world coupled with the story of a missionary doctor.  Children are encouraged that whatever field they choose, God will be with them and use them so they are actually in ministry.

            Wednesday: The emphasis is on Food, Clothing and Shelter, providing basic needs.  Matthew 25:31-46, a verse-by-verse study.  Various people who God uses through their work to provide these basics are profiled.  Millard Fuller who founded Habitat for Humanity and members of the church who use their trade skills to help others are some so described.

            Thursday: Coupled with business, the emphasis is on caring about peace and justice.  Matthew 5:9, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 9:6.  Using the learnings from these verses, we talk about how we can bring justice and peace where we are each day.  Then, stories of how various missionaries and groups within our church and denomination are seeking to bring peace and justice to our nation and world.

            Friday: II Timothy 3:16, Luke 2:46-47, Ephesians 4:11-13 are studied.  Stories of missionaries and people in our congregation who God uses to teach others are told.

            Class C - Crafts.  Pom pom chicks, vases using baby food jars, masking tape, and shoe polish, yarn design, and several current craft techniques known by the instructors can be used.

            Class D - Recreation.  Board games and volleyball.  Volleyball is popular but when it is especially hot, board games under the trees are a good choice.

DISCOVERING GOD'S TREASURES

            Class A - Bible Study.  The Shorter Catechism published by John Knox Press.  We purchased a copy for each student so they had it as a keepsake as well.  The study was called "Questions About God."  The Shorter Catechism divides well into five general lesions: Q1-20 (God), Q21-38 (Jesus Christ), Q39-66 (Ten Commandments 1-5), Q67-90 (Ten Commandments 6-10), Q91-107 (Prayer and Sacraments).  Not every question is covered but a representative sample is so there is a good overview.  It is always amazing how much even the youngest children grasp if a small portion is used in language and illustrations they can understand.