shinyhappypeople Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 VBS = Vacation Bible School Our church charges about $40/kid for 5 days (half-days), another church charges $20/kid. I haven't heard of any churches around here offering free or super-cheap VBS options. We're pretty broke right now, so can't send the girls. Bummer, because I have fond memories of VBS when I was a kid in the 70s. Anyway (getting back on track), all this got me thinking... Is free VBS a thing of the past or is charging unique to my area? It seems like the churches put on some really nice programs, multi-media, special t-shirts, lots of cool stuff for the kids to do. I don't begrudge them for charging, because my brain is reminding me that it's expensive to run these programs and giving is probably down (local economy TANKED in the last few years) but I do kinda wish there was a cheapo, flannel-board stories, craft-making, game-playing, song-singing, low-key, fun VBS-experience for my kids. So ... free VBS = thing of the past? Yes or no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 (edited) It's free here. I've never heard of charging for VBS. ETA: cheapo, flannel-board stories, craft-making, game-playing, song-singing, low-key, fun VBS-experience for my kids. This is usually what I've seen around here. Not that there aren't some that are much more, but I haven't been to them. Edited June 21, 2011 by gardening momma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cshell Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Our VBS is Free too!!!:D Each child just brings a snack to share with their group! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma23peas Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 All free in North Alabama! We had 2500 kids in our VBS at our church in TN...never would dream of charging!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I've seen free VBS in Texas and in Oregon. Sometimes a church that is charging will be free if the adult agrees to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in OK Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 $40/kid???? :blink: Last year I think I paid $7/kid for the week. We visited a church this past week and they were charging $10/kid for the week. It seems that around here, free VBS is a thing of the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 VBS = Vacation Bible School Our church charges about $40/kid for 5 days (half-days), another church charges $20/kid. I haven't heard of any churches around here offering free or super-cheap VBS options. We're pretty broke right now, so can't send the girls. Bummer, because I have fond memories of VBS when I was a kid in the 70s. Anyway (getting back on track), all this got me thinking... Is free VBS a thing of the past or is charging unique to my area? It seems like the churches put on some really nice programs, multi-media, special t-shirts, lots of cool stuff for the kids to do. I don't begrudge them for charging, because my brain is reminding me that it's expensive to run these programs and giving is probably down (local economy TANKED in the last few years) but I do kinda wish there was a cheapo, flannel-board stories, craft-making, game-playing, song-singing, low-key, fun VBS-experience for my kids. So ... free VBS = thing of the past? Yes or no? I"ve never heard of one that charged, IRL...just on the boards here. VBS IS expensive though. And I think some churches really go all out. Our church tries to be as thrifty as possible while still being fun. It's still an outreach though....trying to share the gospel with kids and families who don't normally attend church. Charging would greatly impede that and if my church went to charging for such a thing, I for one, would no longer volunteer or send my kids. (even if I could afford it, which I couldn't at $20 bucks a head) Maybe it's in response to VBS hoppers....kids who regularly attend church somewhere and Mom signs them up for every VBS in town. I always felt sorry for those kids when I encountered them in class. They'd be bored and rolling their eyes because they'd already done the Egyptian VBS [yawn] TWICE. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 We have a small church and have a free VBS. We had about 30 kids total. A church back in Oregon where we are from had a huge program and it was free as well. It kind of surprises me a church would charge for that. It's more an evangelistic outreach rather than a camp or daycare. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Its free at all the churches here. I had never heard of charging for VBS until someone posted about it here last summer. Our church sees it as a ministry. I don't think we will begin charging for it any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 our church VBS is free. we do it in the evenings though. Locally I can't think of any churches that charge for VBS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Just walked in the door from our free VBS. Large church, full multi media "production", tshirts, the whole thing. I will say that the thought of charging has come up, especially with all the budgetary issues of late, but they have managed to keep it free and will for as long as they can... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2jjka Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 VBS is free at our church. The only time they have ever charged was one year when they brought in a team of counselors and musicians from an actual Christian camp and ran a 'day camp' - but then it was an all day/8-3 program, not just a couple of hours. I think it was $20 a kid that year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Maybe it's in response to VBS hoppers....kids who regularly attend church somewhere and Mom signs them up for every VBS in town. I always felt sorry for those kids when I encountered them in class. They'd be bored and rolling their eyes because they'd already done the Egyptian VBS [yawn] TWICE. :tongue_smilie: I heard yesterday that all the churches on a particular road (I think of it as church row because there are about 5-7 churches lined up on either side of the road in a 1/4 mile stretch) have VBS the same week this summer. Maybe the VBS hoppers is why--not that the churches don't want to do outreach as much as possible, but maybe the moms use it for babysitting all summer long. Not that that's a bad thing, if the kids get something out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Many of the larger churches around here do charge b/c parents treat it like daycare. However, our small church doesn't charge. If you want a t-shirt you have to pay $9. Otherwise it is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlaura Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 DS4 went to his first ever day of VBS today, and it was free. Free snacks too. And there will be a free ice cream social Thurs eve after the showcase for the parents. Each family gets a free CD of the songs the kids are learning so they can listen at home. This is a LCMS church. I should mention that there is an offering each day to buy New Testaments to send with backpacks for the session's mission project. But the NT's cost $2, so not much, and not required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracieT Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I'm in Ohio and they are free around here. I, too, have only heard of charging from message boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Can you ask your church if they have a scholarship or sliding scale program? I think many churches *publish* the fee, but are willing to accept a smaller amount from families that can't afford the fee. I wouldn't certainly HOPE that most churches would do that, especially for members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I guess I'm a VBS hopper. Sigh. But its the only thing to do in our town during the summer. We really don't have anything else for the kids to do plus my girls LOVE going to VBS. Our Catholic church did VBS many years ago. They did a few times charge for it. But only because we are a struggling parish. Could that be why your church is charging? But then that puts children out that may have parents who just can't afford that. I know I couldn't. Thankfully the VBS's are free here. It got pretty tough that some of the churches have combined VBS. The Presbyterian, United Methodist and one other church combine VBS and they do it at the park for 4 days. I have noticed though that VBS in our area has gotten shorter. It used to be a 5 day thing with a picnic afterwards. I've noticed the churches have cut that out and no longer do 5 days and no picnic or presentation afterwards. So I guess the times are a changin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Our church has a free VBS. Another church in the area charges $20/kid. I think that's ridiculous. On the other hands, I have heard of daycare centers dropping their kids off at a church's VBS. I think charging is supposed to cut down on things like that. However, $20 is way too much. If you're going to charge, don't call it VBS. Call it day camp, or something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Our church sees almost 10,000 people during VBS, and it's still free. That said, it's during the evening and is NOT drop off. It's big class/craft/snack/musical deal and the children's ministry budgets for all of it. Free tshirts, everything. There are programs for nursery up through adult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila in OK Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Hmm, I don't know if any churches around here who charge for VBS. But then again, we've only attended ours for the past several years and it's always been free. You do have to pay if you want a t-shirt or music CD, though. $40/kid???? :blink: Last year I think I paid $7/kid for the week. We visited a church this past week and they were charging $10/kid for the week. It seems that around here, free VBS is a thing of the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Our church has a free VBS. Another church in the area charges $20/kid. I think that's ridiculous. On the other hands, I have heard of daycare centers dropping their kids off at a church's VBS. I think charging is supposed to cut down on things like that.However, $20 is way too much. If you're going to charge, don't call it VBS. Call it day camp, or something like that. :eek: (re: the bolded) That's just so wrong on so many levels. I'm staying positive and assuming the best about the churches around here: VBS programs are fairly expensive to run (esp. the really nice, professional-looking ones they do) and giving is more than likely down. So maybe it was an issue of either charging or not doing it at all. So, better than nothing? What stinks is that giving IS probably down (see above) because our area has been VERY hard hit by the economy. Not everyone is broke though. And paying $20-40 (x number of kids) once a summer isn't so bad, I guess. Also, I don't get the feeling that it's an outreach. I heard about it through the church bulletin. That's it. No other advertising as far as I can tell. So, I don't think it's an outreach so much as a special event for kids who already attend here. I'm just bummed (no biggie - I'll recover :tongue_smilie:) and wondering if it was just our funky area doing this or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Get this- our church doesn't have VBS, they have a "Day Camp" and it costs $60/kid. Yes, that's $60- not a typo. They also don't start until 2nd grade, so mine are still too young.....I don't know what we'll do when the time comes. We could afford it, but it's kindof the principle.....I do NOT think they should charge. (If they asked members to pay so that they could make it free for visitors, I'd be thrilled to pay- but that's not the case.) Other churches in town are free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 (edited) I've heard about this, but only online. Ours is free. And they get a t-shirt. Edited June 21, 2011 by Mommy22alyns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ours has always charged :( It's $30/kid, although they do get a t-shirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
didadeewiththree Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Free here in MO, just went today! Ive never heard of a VBS that charged a fee for kids to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Can you ask your church if they have a scholarship or sliding scale program? I think many churches *publish* the fee, but are willing to accept a smaller amount from families that can't afford the fee. I wouldn't certainly HOPE that most churches would do that, especially for members. I could, in theory, ask but I don't like discussing our personal financial situation with near-strangers... except if those strangers are on the Internet. ;) It's embarrassing to say "Hey, I know $40x2 isn't much to most people, but we're so broke it's a question of groceries vs. VBS." And, when people give you money, they tend to think they have a right to scrutinize your finances and pass judgment. I'm not up for that. Hope that makes some sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edithcrawley Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Free here. Some churches take donations, some charge for the t-shirts, it just depends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ours has always charged :( It's $30/kid, although they do get a t-shirt. Maybe it's a California thing. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna T. Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 VBS = Vacation Bible School Our church charges about $40/kid for 5 days (half-days), another church charges $20/kid. I haven't heard of any churches around here offering free or super-cheap VBS options. We're pretty broke right now, so can't send the girls. Bummer, because I have fond memories of VBS when I was a kid in the 70s. Anyway (getting back on track), all this got me thinking... Is free VBS a thing of the past or is charging unique to my area? It seems like the churches put on some really nice programs, multi-media, special t-shirts, lots of cool stuff for the kids to do. I don't begrudge them for charging, because my brain is reminding me that it's expensive to run these programs and giving is probably down (local economy TANKED in the last few years) but I do kinda wish there was a cheapo, flannel-board stories, craft-making, game-playing, song-singing, low-key, fun VBS-experience for my kids. So ... free VBS = thing of the past? Yes or no? Wow, if my church charged so much for VBS that I personally could not send my own children, I would be pretty steamed. I am not aware of any churches (and there are a ton here, in the Bible belt) that charge a fee of any kind for VBS. Our church is small and we have a very simple VBS but the kids absolutely love it, everyone pitches in and helps out as they are able, and it's just a very special time that the kids really look forward to. Probably 90% of the children who come are not members of our church and most of them are not involved in any church. I can't imagine that we would ever charge a fee for them to come... we do it FOR them, for all the kids. It is a ministry to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertDweller Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 The last few summers my dd went to VBS, which was a few years ago, they were charging $25-$35. I just checked the website of our current church, and they are charging $25. I remember growing up and going to VBS. I have very fond memories of learning about the bible and making crafts. There were four in our family. I know that if it had cost my parents couldn't have afforded it. I agree with those that suggest calling it a "Day Camp" instead of VBS if you're charging a fee. I understand $5-$7, maybe even $10, but honestly, $40?? When I was in my twenties, I attended a small church that put on VBS each summer. Most of the people in the church donated items or found ways to be creative with what was available. Each family signed up to help provide snacks and beverages or items to go towards making crafts. There was probably a fee for the lesson materials, but that was usually picked up by the church. There was no charge for kids to attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kchara Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Until now, I've never heard of a church charging for VBS. That's just bizarre to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwickimom Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Free here...they just ask for offerings or donations if you can. Ours encourages the daycares to bring the kids...I dropped off 2 of my kids and 4 babysitting kids. I was told to bring them. VBS is about getting the kids excited about God and to try and get more people to attend. I would never ever send my child to a VBS that charges. If it is opened up to the public, ALL are welcome...daycare kids included. My church wants as many kids as possible at theirs no matter what. Thats the point of VBS. Its a summer kids outreach program...why does it matter where the kids come from? I didnt "dump" my babysitting kids off at VBS, they were invited and welcome and it gave them some great Christian activities and interaction. Its the same as the free programs out community center puts on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in KS Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ours is free. Most around here are free or nominally priced, which is wonderful since I seem to live in a place where parents don't blink an eye spending huge sums of money for kid activities... :glare: I am sending my kids to a pay one right now, but it's very different. 8:45-4:40 all week with lots of classes in an interest cluster (my son is in a science track, my daughter is taking cooking/dancing/acting). It's $20. What if you offered to volunteer in some capacity at your church (snack helper, assistant teacher)? Would they offer it to your kids free then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Our church does not charge, but other area churches do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine_librarian Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ours is free. However, for the second year in a row I have been unable to sign my children up. There are only 150 slots available in a parish of about 6,000 families. I know people and I can't get my kids in! :glare: So, I might be willing to pay a small fee if they could offer it to more kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 We don't charge for ours--3 hours in the am for 5 days. We do ask for a $20 donation for snack and supplies, but it is not mandatory. We can't advertise ours, because we only have room for the kids in the parish, so it's less of an outreach than we'd like. I think we may need to change the model of presentation, so we can fit in more kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Free here...they just ask for offerings or donations if you can. Ours encourages the daycares to bring the kids...I dropped off 2 of my kids and 4 babysitting kids. I was told to bring them. VBS is about getting the kids excited about God and to try and get more people to attend. I would never ever send my child to a VBS that charges. If it is opened up to the public, ALL are welcome...daycare kids included. My church wants as many kids as possible at theirs no matter what. Thats the point of VBS. Its a summer kids outreach program...why does it matter where the kids come from? I didnt "dump" my babysitting kids off at VBS, they were invited and welcome and it gave them some great Christian activities and interaction. Its the same as the free programs out community center puts on. I had this image of someone getting paid for that time by the parents and just quietly dropping the kids off at VBS instead. I guess if the parents are OK with the whole scenario... ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosaicmind Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 VBS = Vacation Bible School Our church charges about $40/kid for 5 days (half-days), another church charges $20/kid. I haven't heard of any churches around here offering free or super-cheap VBS options. We're pretty broke right now, so can't send the girls. Bummer, because I have fond memories of VBS when I was a kid in the 70s. Anyway (getting back on track), all this got me thinking... Is free VBS a thing of the past or is charging unique to my area? It seems like the churches put on some really nice programs, multi-media, special t-shirts, lots of cool stuff for the kids to do. I don't begrudge them for charging, because my brain is reminding me that it's expensive to run these programs and giving is probably down (local economy TANKED in the last few years) but I do kinda wish there was a cheapo, flannel-board stories, craft-making, game-playing, song-singing, low-key, fun VBS-experience for my kids. So ... free VBS = thing of the past? Yes or no? Our church is free and we are the biggest VBS in our two cities. We had 653 kids this year. I have never heard of charging for VBS and honestly don't believe that is Biblical. Pay to hear God's word. HUH??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ours is free. If you want a cd of the music or a T-shirt, there's a fee for that. It's pretty elaborate. This year's theme is the gold rush, and the sets that were made are really really nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 What if you offered to volunteer in some capacity at your church (snack helper, assistant teacher)? Would they offer it to your kids free then? They knock $10/kid off the price. So it would be $30/kid. I'm not losing sleep over this, but I do find it rather odd given how VBS programs were done when I was a kid. It just seems WEIRD to me, you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 We had over 250 kids in our VBS last week. On the registration form there is a cost listed of approx $10 per child, with a family maximum cost. That cost includes a t-shirt. You can also buy a music CD for $5. That said, there are many families who are informally granted scholarships. No one is turned away for an inability to pay, but it's not announced. A list of needed supplies for food and decorations is posted at least one month ahead, and this helps offset a tremendous cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 VBS = Vacation Bible School Our church charges about $40/kid for 5 days (half-days), another church charges $20/kid. I haven't heard of any churches around here offering free or super-cheap VBS options. We're pretty broke right now, so can't send the girls. Bummer, because I have fond memories of VBS when I was a kid in the 70s. Anyway (getting back on track), all this got me thinking... Is free VBS a thing of the past or is charging unique to my area? It seems like the churches put on some really nice programs, multi-media, special t-shirts, lots of cool stuff for the kids to do. I don't begrudge them for charging, because my brain is reminding me that it's expensive to run these programs and giving is probably down (local economy TANKED in the last few years) but I do kinda wish there was a cheapo, flannel-board stories, craft-making, game-playing, song-singing, low-key, fun VBS-experience for my kids. So ... free VBS = thing of the past? Yes or no? Are you kidding me? In our part of the country VBS has always been an outreach. There is an offering taken up every day but many times it goes to a specific mission project not for the VBS supplies. How would you ever get unchurched kids to come if you sent a note home with them,"VBS, starting next Monday, be sure to send $40 with each of your children." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running the race Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Our current church's VBS is free. Our previous church's was not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 I just double-checked and it's actually only $30 not $40 and there's a family cost cap for 4+ kids. So, just clarifying, don't want to spread misinformation even though y'all have no idea which church I'm talking about. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Many local churches around here have great daytime VBS programs, for free. Donations are asked for but certainly not required. I know for a couple years there, VBS was a huge blessing for me. The children always enjoyed it, and I had a wee break. Some churches around here do night-time VBS and serve dinner and ask for money to cover that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ours is free. But I think we may be one of the few (or only) in the area that is still free. The church that hosts our co-op charges. One year there was a mom who wanted to do VBS but they hadn't done VBS in a couple years so it wasn't in the budget. They charged that year and now they charge every year. $15 per child. Volunteer children are $5 each. Then there is a nursery only for volunteer kids, that is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ours is free and in the evenings. I live in the South in the "Bible Belt" though...so maybe that is why it is that way here. I have never heard of someone asking you to PAY for VBS. Wow! What's next? Pay to get in to church on Sunday morning? Pay to use the bathroom at church? Pay extra for Sunday School? That just blows my mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquinas Academy Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Our current church doesn't have VBS. Our previous parish charged, wait for it, $60 for the first child and $40 for siblings. Plus you had to buy a t-shirt. :eek: Admittedly it was full days for a week and you got a CD. I think they were appealing to people in need of childcare ($12 per day for childcare is very cheap), since I didn't need childcare I didn't send my kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ours is free and in the evenings. I live in the South in the "Bible Belt" though...so maybe that is why it is that way here. I have never heard of someone asking you to PAY for VBS. Wow! What's next? Pay to get in to church on Sunday morning? Pay to use the bathroom at church? Pay extra for Sunday School? That just blows my mind! I immediately pictured well-dressed church ladies shimmying under the stall door because they didn't bring any change for the new coin-op stalls in the church bathroom. Thanks for the laugh :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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