Once again, I'm happy to see in many of the director's materials some fun ideas of ways to raise money for VBS, but again, when so many people are unemployed and living pay check to pay check, there just may not be additional dollars for them to give to VBS. Obviously a starter kit is the first place to begin when purchasing VBS materials and from there you'll need to determine what - if any - student materials you will also utilize. As I mentioned last week, when it comes to student materials I like the idea of being able to give children something each day that will remind them of the Bible lesson. I especially like the objects/cards that can be clipped or pinned to a backpack as they make great reminders! I also like the idea of being able to give children their own copy of the music . . . of course these things take money and your budget just might not have room for them. So, what will it cost and what are my "Dollars and Cent's Thoughts" about how we can move ahead with VBS on a budget?
Answers in Genesis - Gold Rush! -
- Starter Kit - $99.99
- Super Starter Kit - $189.99
- Recommended Student Materials - Student Magazines - 10/$9.99; Name Tag Lanyards - 10/$6.99; He is Risen Cards - 5 sets/$4.99; Stickers - 10/$7.99; Bookmarks - 10/$2.99; Name Tags - 60/$3.99; Sing-Along Songs Student CD - 10/$19.99; Photo Frame - 10/$7.99
My Dollars and Cents Thoughts - If you plan to use all the posters, DVD's and extras, then the Super Starter Kit is a good buy. If however; budget is an issue, get the Starter Kit and the music DVD - $14.99. You will be able to plan and present an excellent VBS with those materials. For the children get the He is Risen cards and the music CD for a cost of $2.99 per child.
Group Publishing - Pandamania
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-- Ultimate Starter Kit - $154.99
- Recommended Student Materials - i-Openers - $3.90 per child; Bible Memory Buddies - $3.90 per child; Miniature Me Buddy Clips (Day one craft/buddy holder) - 10/$14.99; Banduras - 10/12.99; Name tags - 10/$3.99; Name Tag Holders - 10/$15.99; Bookmarks - 50/$1.99; Photo frame - 10/$9.99; Stickers - 10/$6.99
Cokesbury - Shake it Up Cafe' -
- Starter Kit - $79.99
- Smaller Church Kit - $49.99
- Recommended Student Materials - Student Activity Cards - $1.99 per child; Scripture Treasures - 12/$14.99 per child; Shake it Up Cafe' Carabiners - 12/$7.99; Big Refrigerator Magnets - 12/$10.99; Name tags - 24/$3.99; Name Tag Holders - 12/$15.99; Student Take-Home CD - $3.75 per child; Stickers - 12/$8.99
My Dollar and Cents Thoughts - If you plan to use all the posters, DVD's and extras, then the Starter Kit is a good buy. If however; budget is an issue, get the Smaller Church Kit and the music DVD - $24.99. You will be able to plan and present an excellent VBS with those materials. For the children get the Scripture Treasures and Shake it Up Cafe' Carabiners for a cost of roughly $1.92 per child - I'd send one CD per family.
Group Publishing - Hometown Nazareth
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-- Starter Kit - $119.99
- Recommended Student Materials - i-Grow Chart - $3.29 per family; Bible Memory Markers - $3.09 per child; Carabiners - 10/$5.99; Banduras - 12/12.99; Name tag stickers - 60/$4.49; Name Tag Holders - 10/$15.99; Foto frame - 10/$9.99; Stickers - 10/$6.99
My Dollar and Cents Thoughts - Group doesn't provide a basic kit - which I'd really like to see - if however; budget is an issue, get the Ultimate Go-To Director's Guide - $14.99; Mary's House Drama Leader Pack - $9.99; Shopkeeper manual - $9.99; Hometown Huddle Leader Manual - $9.99; Celebration Leader Manual - $9.99 and the music DVD and Cd for $14.99 each and come up with your own games for $85.00. You will be able to plan and present an excellent VBS with those materials. For the children get the Bible Memory Markers and Carabiners for a cost of $3.69 per child. I'd also get the i-Grow Chart . . . which I really like; one per family.
Standard Publishing - Inside-Out & Upside-Down on Main Street
- Starter Kit - $69.99
- Power Pak - $199.99
- Recommended Student Materials - Student Book - $2.99 per child; Bible Pin Pals - $3.99 per child; Name tags and Lanyards - 10/$6.99; Stickers - 20/$5.99; Photo Frames - 5/$6.99; Pass-Along Music CD - 10/$19.99; Bookmarks - 25/$5.99
My Dollar and Cents Thoughts - Once again, if you plan to use all the posters, DVD's and extras, then the Power Pak is a good buy. If however; budget is an issue, get the Starter Kit and the Sidewalk Celebration music DVD - $19.99. You will be able to plan and present an excellent VBS with those materials. For the children get the Bible Pin Pals and the Music CD for a cost of $5.99 per child - or you could get just the Bible Pin Pals for a cost of $3.99 per child and then one CD per family.
As I said last week, when it comes to student materials I personally would love to see publishers make their student pages reproducible - this might make it more affordable for churches to utilize a page for children to work through and think about the application in class, while still allowing churches to afford to purchase the daily take home reminders!
Of course most publishers offer craft kits and if you use them it will increase your per student cost; as will purchasing craft supplies to make crafts in the craft books. When it comes to deciding which VBS resource is the best "fit" for your church, the Dollars and Cents can make a difference; but be assured, if your church is experiencing a very tight budget situation, you can plan and present an effective Vacation Bible School for the children in your church and community with just the basic starter kits. Please do not let the Dollars and Cents of VBS discourage you from having a VBS ministry in your church. Next week we will look at additional ways to use VBS!
Of course most publishers offer craft kits and if you use them it will increase your per student cost; as will purchasing craft supplies to make crafts in the craft books. When it comes to deciding which VBS resource is the best "fit" for your church, the Dollars and Cents can make a difference; but be assured, if your church is experiencing a very tight budget situation, you can plan and present an effective Vacation Bible School for the children in your church and community with just the basic starter kits. Please do not let the Dollars and Cents of VBS discourage you from having a VBS ministry in your church. Next week we will look at additional ways to use VBS!
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