VBS 2013 - the Dollars & Cents of VBS - Part 2

Today I'm happy to share the Dollar and Cents of VBS, part 2 for the five VBS resources I reviewed this week. 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 utilize. As far as student materials, I like the idea of being able to give children something each day which will remind them of the Bible lesson. I especially like the objects/cards which can be clipped or pinned to a backpack as these things 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 how can you move ahead with VBS on a budget?


Top Pick VBS 2013 - #1 - God's Backyard Bible Camp 
Standard Publishing

Under the Sun
Under the Stars

Standard Publishing

http://www.vacationbibleschool.com/

Cost of kit - 

• each kit is available for $199.99 - Standard will be making the lessons for the other kit available to churches who purchase one kit

Cost per student - 

• Music is not reproducible, so you have to purchase CDs to give kids at a cost of $19.99 for 10 CDs.
• Student books - $2.99 each
• Backyard Bible Pals by Floppet - $7.99 per child
• Craft kits range in price from $3.99 to $37.99 for 12, but there are 15 to choose from.

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Standard does not offer a basic starter kit, so unless you decide to purchase just the Director's book and individual Station Leader guides, you will have to buy the kit they offer. For children I love the Backyard Bible Pals by Floppet, but at at cost of $7.99 per child, you might find this is too expensive. If this is the case, consider getting the "It's Your Serve Stickers" at a cost of $1.99 for six students, and then make zipper pulls by putting them on cardboard and laminating them so children can receive a daily reminder. Depending on which way you go with the Floppets, I'd give children the student books and Floppet - or stickers - at a cost of approximately $11.00 or $3.30 per child. The music CD is very affordable at $1.99 per child or could be given to families instead of each child for additional savings.

2013 Top Three VBS Countdown - #2 - Kingdom Chronicles

Answers in Genesis

http://answersvbs.com/2013/

Cost of kit - 

• Two kits are available - a basic kit at $99.99 and a Super starter kit at $189

Cost per student - 

• Music is not reproducible, so you have to purchase CDs to give kids at a cost of $19.99 for 10 CDs.
• Student guides are $9.99 for packs of 10
• Armor of God cards are $4.99 for 10
• Carabiner - $12.99 for 10

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Answers in Genesis provides a basic kit option, so if dollars are tight, consider this kit for your 2013 VBS. They do offer Armor of God cards which you could give the kids each day or use some of the artwork - or your own - or the stickers to make daily "tags" with the point and then give the tags and a carabiner to children. (make tags on cardstock and laminate them) This would cost approximately $1.80 to $2.60 per child depending on if you use stickers. The music CD is very affordable at $1.99 per child or could be given to families instead of each child for additional savings.

2013 Top Three VBS Countdown - #3 -  Tell It on the Mountain

Concordia Publishing House

http://vbs.cph.org/2013/index.asp

Cost of kit - 

• One kit - $129.99

Cost per student - 

• Music is available at a cost of $4.99 per CD
• Student leaflets - $2.99 per child
• Tell It! Collectibles are $3.29 per child
• Carabiners - $6.99 for 12
• Crafts run from $7.99 to $9.99 for 12

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Concordia does not offer a basic starter kit, so unless you decide to purchase just the Director's book and individual Station Leader guides, you will have to buy the kit they offer. For children I'd get the Tell It! collectibles and a carabiner at a cost of approximately $4 per child. The Music CDs are a bit pricey  but if you gave one to each family instead of each child it may make them an affordable option.

2013 Top Five VBS Countdown - #4 - Colossal Coaster World

LifeWay

http://blog.lifeway.com/vbs/#.UPVHaSfonLw

Cost of kit -  

• Two kits are available at a cost of $69.99 and $199.99

Cost per student - 

• Music is available this year - $11.49 for 5.
• Collectible Daily Buttons - $8.49 for 10 children
• Crafts range in price from $3.99 to $6.99 for 10 so most of these are very affordable.
• Student Park Guides cost $2.29 per child

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Lifeway does offer a basic starter kit, so you have the option of the basic kit to help you save money and make VBS more affordable. For children I'd buy the Collectible Daily Buttons and the Student Park Guides at a cost of approximately $3.15 per child. The music is available on CD which you could give one to each family at a cost of approximately $2.30 per family to again, find a cost savings. 

2013 Top Five VBS Countdown - #5 - Everywhere Fun Fair

Cokesbury

http://2013.cokesburyvbs.com/

Cost of kit - 

• Two kits are available for $39.99 and $59.99

Cost per student - 

• Music is not reproducible, so you may buy already recorded CDs to give kids at a cost of $3.99 per CD.
• Student books are available at a cost of $2.99 per child
• Scripture Treasure Tokens are available at a cost of $14.99 for 5 children
• Treasure Cuffs are available at a cost of $9.99 each
• Craft kits are available and vary in price from $6.99 to $19.99 for 12

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Cokesbury does offer a basic starter kit, which gives you the option of buying the basics at a cost savings. For children I'd buy the Treasure Tokens for a cost of approximately $3.00 per child. I'd consider making zipper pulls with the artwork for each daily point or the Craft Theme stickers as well. The music CDs could be given to each family at a cost of $3.99 per family.