Last week we asked how many churches were doing some sort of Vacation Bible School program for kids this summer. The majority of churches are, with 72% saying yes.
It’s kind of amazing so many churches do some sort of program, though I suppose it makes sense with kids being free from school and running amuck through the lazy hazy days of summer. Though I can’t help but agree with the oddity of pairing vacation and school.
This week we ask about the most overused symbol in church logos.
Roland
July 17, 2006
My kid is free from school, but then there’s vacation and camp and visits to Grandma and sleepovers with friends, etc. etc. And these events all book early, before we know when VBS is going to be.
One trend I have seen is toward one and two day schools. It’s already tough on parents to find childcare during the summer while they work, without adding in ferrying the kids to and fro VBS.
Of course, I never really enjoyed VBS and just went because I had to, so that probably colors my response. It’s usually based on an adult’s idea of what is fun.
It would be very interesting to know what % of kids would attend absent any parental pressure. In the teens, I reckon. As you point out, school is incongruous with vacation in the first place.
Michael
July 14, 2007
Good post, worth a lot of discussion. Beyond conventional VBS, I wonder what people have seen or even think would work in reaching children & youth. What if budget were not a big issue, a church actually prioritized reaching the next generation (considering they are next boom gen), and was committed to complete holistic solutions.
btw, check out a video we made to frame the challenge: Breakthroughchurch.com (http://youtube.com/watch?v=nModrpMfQS0 on YouTube.com)
Michael