VBS 2016 - Week Two Dollars & Cents of VBS

Today I'm sharing the Dollars & Cents of VBS Part Two  for 2016 by breaking down the cost of the VBS resources I reviewed this past week. Obviously a starter kit is the first place to begin when purchasing VBS materials, but 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 they learned. 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?

Deep Sea Discovery

Christian Standard Media (formerly Standard Publishing)

http://www.vacationbibleschool.com/

Cost of kit - 

• Super Starter Kit - $179.99

Cost per student - 

• Pass along CD - $19.99 for 10
• Discovery Wrist Bands - $3.99 per child
• Student Books - $2.99 per child

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Christian Standard does not offer a basic starter kit, so unless you purchase just the teacher books and director book, you will need to purchase the kit they offer, but I am happy to see they did not raise their price from last year. Crafts/Service projects depend on which items you choose. For children I'd buy the Discovery Wrist Bands for a cost of $3.99 per child. The music CD is another thing I would definitely give it to each child or family at a cost of $1.99 as well.

Ocean Commotion

Answers in Genesis

https://answersingenesis.org/vbs/2016/

Cost of kit -

• Super Starter Kit - $189.00
• Basic Starter Kit - $99.99

Cost per student - 

• Student CD - $19.99 for a pack of 10
• Memory verse music CD - $19.99 for a pack of 10
• Student Guides - $9.99 for a pack of 10
• Bookmarks - $3.99/$2.99 for a packs of 10 (Three different sets of bookmarks to choose from)
• Dive Log & Sticker Set - $4.99 for a pack of 10

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Answers in Genesis offers two kit options, so you are able to select the one which best fits your budget and church - and they also did not raise their prices this year. Crafts are made with items you gather. For the children, I'd definitely give them some of the bookmarks at a cost of $1.50 to $2.00 per child per set depending on which bookmarks you choose, and a music CDs at a cost of $1.99 per child/family.

Barnyard Roundup

Concordia Publishing House

https://vbs.cph.org/2015/index.asp

Cost of kit -

• Super Starter Kit - $159.99

Cost per student - 

• My Shepherd Collectibles - $3.29 per child
• House Carabiner - $7.99 for 12
• Student Guides - $2.99 per child
• Passalong CD/DVD - $4.99 per child/family

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Concordia does not offer a basic starter kit, so unless you purchase just the teacher books and director book, you will need to purchase the kit they offer. Crafts range in price from $7.99 to $13.99 for 12, so it would depend on which ones you choose. For children I'd buy the My Shepherd Collectibles and House Carabiner for each child for less than $4.00 per child. The music CD could be given to families instead of each child for additional savings. 

Joy in Jesus

Abingdon Press

http://2016.abingdonpressvbs.com/

Cost of kit -

• Super Starter Kit - $79.99

Cost per student - 

• Student Guides - $2.99 per child
• Take home CD - $3.99 per child/family

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Abingdon has just one kit, so unless you purchase just the teacher books and director book, you will need to purchase the kit they offer - but this kit is just $79.99. Crafts use items you collect. For children I'd love to see some type of wrist band, or tag they could fasten to a backpack with each day's point. The music CD could be given to families instead of each child for additional savings. 

Cow-a-bunga Farm
Regular Baptist Press

http://www.rbpvbs.org/

Cost of kit - 

• $99.99
• $146.97

Cost per student - 

• Music is not reproducible, so you have to buy the Music CD at a cost of $24.99 for 10 CDs.
• Crafts vary in cost from $7.99 for 12 children to $15.99 for 12 children.
• Student books - $2.99 per child

My Dollar & Cents Thoughts . . . Regular Baptist Press does offer a basic starter kit, so you may choose which kit you want or just buy director's guides and teacher books. For children I'd buy the Music CD for a cost of approximately $2.50 per child. Crafts depend on which ones you choose to use. The music CDs could be given to each family instead of each child at a cost savings.