Scheduling:
we have included a sample schedule, which accommodates the areas of our
curriculum. Most VBS’s use a format in which one teacher accompanies children to various
activity areas, and each activity area is directed by a teacher who stays with that activity all of
the time. This is the format we have used in
Clean Water for All God’s Children
. This
means that you will need a teacher for each activity area, and a teacher to stay with each age
grouping of children. In addition, you may want to have other leaders manage the opening
and closing times. You may need additional helpers for areas like recreation and snacks.
However, if you have a smaller number of children, teachers and leaders can take multiple
roles. There are 3 scheduling options included in this curriculum:
1.
Option 1: 5 age groupings and 5 activity stations
2.
Option 2: 4 age groupings and 4 activity stations (mission & crafts combined)
3.
Option 3: 3 age groupings and 3 activity stations (mission & crafts combined,
music with all groupings together)
Larger VBS’s may choose option 1, smaller ones will likely do better with three; or feel free
to create your own schedule!
Note:
because very young children may do better in a more contained, constant environment
than in this rotation model, there is a special section for pre-schoolers (3- and 4-year olds)
which uses the same materials in a simplified format.
Preparation of parents and congregation
: a letter to children and parents before the event
serves to introduce this mission opportunity and the water purification project. A Children’s
Moment in Sunday worship can create interest and preparation. The fact sheet entitled
“Water: A Crisis in our Time”, as well as the Bible School poster, can be displayed around the
building to generate interest. A very graphic display can be made by filling a large water
bottle (such as used in a water cooler) with clean water, and another with dirty water, with
signs reading: “This is the water
our
children drink” and “40% of the World’s Children have
only
this
water to drink!” After VBS is concluded, you may want to display some of the
colorful creations (e.g., “Healthy Hands” banner) that the children have made in a prominent
place, with a large ‘Thank You’ note to the congregation for their support.
Advertising
: we have included a poster that you can enlarge and post in your building,
advertising the date and time of your VBS.
Clean Water for All God’s Children
For the Director:
Here are some things that, as director, you will want to consider:
Living Waters for the World
is pleased to offer you this Vacation Bible School Curriculum. It
is designed to help children experience God’s love while exploring scriptures that refer
particularly to God’s use of water as an agent of creation, salvation, healing, blessing, and
health. It will also give them an idea of the world water situation (which is in crisis!), and
some suggestions about ways they may help. If your congregation is currently engaged with
Living Waters for the World
, this curriculum will help all of you become more familiar with
what that means. If you are not currently active with
Living Waters for the World
, we hope
that this week will inspire you to become one of our partner congregations! Either way, we
thank you for participating with us by using this material.
Rev. 1/06