VBS 2015 Top Three - Camp Kilimanjaro by Answers in Genesis & Kit Give-Away!

Today we are looking at Camp Kilimanjaro from Answers in Genesis - it is a resource well worth taking a close look at to see if it is a good "fit" for your ministry!

Camp Kilimanjaro

Answers in Genesis

http://answersvbs.com/2015/

1. Listen UP! - The Ears - I Kings 3-4; Proverbs - The Animals - Who made them so Cool?
2. Check UP! - The Heart - Genesis 1-3; Romans 3, 5, 6, 10; Proverbs - The Terrain - What environments are there on this mountain?
3. Build UP! - The Tongue - Various Proverbs - The Languages - Where did different languages come from?
4. Wake UP! - The Hands - Proverbs 6:6-11; Proverbs - The People - Why do they say the first people came form here?
5. Wise UP! - The Feet - I Kings 11:1-11; Proverbs - The Volcanoes - How did Mount Kilimanjaro get here?

Setting – An epic expedition at Camp Kilimanjaro

Message – "At Camp Kilimanjaro, kids will go on an amazing adventure while learning true wisdom comes only from the one true all-wise God, who wants us to be wise!"

Focus – Evangelism, Content – the Bible is always true and we believe it
Strengths –

• As I would expect, Camp Kilimanjaro has a strong emphasis on teaching the infallibility of the Bible and salvation through Jesus! 
• I love the “Go and Do” portion of each lesson where children have specific things to go and do to live what they learned!
• The director’s info is very complete and full of extra information, tips and trivia - love the 20 Tips for the VBS Director!
• I LOVE the science projects included in the craft time - children will love these!
• I love the Top Ten Tips for a VBS Prayer Ministry! Excellent!
• Love the idea for “Praying for you postcards”!
• The Contest portion of the closing is fun – sure to generate enthusiasm!
• Music is available again this year with a Contemporary or Traditional sound giving churches options
• The "Terrific Trivia Tidbits" are great fun!
• I'm very happy to see two kit options so churches on a limited budget are able to make this work for them, too!
• Last year I said I'd like to see, "More of a focus on intentionally engaging the kids in the teaching of the Bible lesson – less teaching 'at' them and more engaging the kids in discovering what God’s Word says with dramas or other ways they could participate more beyond just answering questions." This year I'm happy to see more engagement of the children in the lessons!
• Last year I said I'd like to see, "More engagement in the opening and closing – perhaps an object lesson/science project – I like the contest in the closing, but an object lesson to once again present the point in a way which leaves the kids saying “wow” would be a great addition" This year there is much more engagement - a science project at the end would still be a great idea or an activity from the kick-off event might be a fun way to engage children and add excitement and "wow".
• I really love the new Memory verse songs - love the sign language being used, but the song, "The Fear of the Lord" is using the wrong "sign" for "fear" - I don't think this verse is saying we have to be "afraid" of God, but the sign used is for "afraid". I'd use the sign for "respect" or "honor" - look them up on-line.
• Last year I said I'd like to see, "More children of different races in the music video and get rid of the teens - some songs had children and children of different races, but most had white teens." This year there are fewer teens and more children of different races, but I'd still like to see them use only children and no teens.

Would like to see –

• Ideas to help kids serve in their own communities.
• More options for crafts.
• A Bible lesson book for multi-ages – this would make things easier for churches where they do not use a classroom teaching model for the Bible lessons. If you use a learning station format, I'd use the Primary Teacher's Book for the lessons and activities.
• More teaching the Bible lesson from the Bible. There is a little of this, but I'd like to see more of the Bible being opened and children learning from their Bibles.

As Answers in Genesis says, “Every day our kids are faced with choices - will they choose wisely or foolishly? As they safari at Mount Kilimanjaro, your trekkers learn true wisdom comes only from the one true all-wise God, Who wants us to be wise! And He's filled the book of Proverbs with wise sayings for us!" 

I really love the focus on the Book of Proverbs with Camp Kilimanjaro! You may also want to look at this kit as a resource you could use for mid-week ministry . . . Answers in Genesis offers their materials past the end of the summer so you would still be able to find the components you need.

I am happy to say, Answers in Genesis is making available one Camp Kilimanjaro Super Starter Kit for me to give away (USA only)! If you are over the age of 18 and would like to be included in the drawing for the Super Starter Kit - which will be on January 28, 2015, please comment below to share your favorite "wise saying" from Proverbs. I know there are a lot, but one of my favorites has to be; Proverbs 3:3, 4 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

In addition if you have followed on Google Friend Connect, followed by liking on facebook with the tab in the "Find us on Facebook" box ON THE BLOG or at this link (not just liking the post) and/or have followed About the Children's Department by email you will receive one entry for each of these which you have done. Plus, if you "share" this post, you'll receive another entry (please let me know if you share). This will help me be able to draw names from among people who would like to win Camp Kilimanjaro Super Starter Kit and it gives you several ways to enter the give-away! Thank you for reading About the Children's Department and for sharing it with the people you know!