Whatever your church situation, you will find a vacation Bible school curriculum that will fit your need. Below are some of the ones we found available. You’ll need to explore for yourselves the material and determine if it is suitable for your church.
Answers in Genesis
International Spy Academy. This five-day program draws the contrast between the true God and false gods. Children rotate through four stations blending crafts and snacks with games and Bible study (NKJV). Answers in Genesis is an apologetics (i.e., Christianity-defending) ministry.
answersvbs.com/2014
Augsburg/Fortress
Spark Summer. This is a “flexible approach to planning Bible-focused summer programming for preschoolers through upper elementary kids. You can use Spark Summer for your congregation’s five-day vacation Bible school program, midweek events, summer Sunday school, or other creative ways that fit your congregation’s needs.” Purchases are downloaded to your computer.
store.augsburgfortress.org/store/productfamily/179/Spark-Summer
Bogard Press
Cross Canyon Trail: Ridin’ Strong with Jesus. This material is written for Baptist congregations and uses the KJV for scriptural quotes. “Students will follow God’s trail in life by serving, following, living for, sharing and standing with their Savior, Jesus Christ.” The overall theme passage is Luke 9:23. vbs.bogardpress.org/CrossCanyonTrail
Cokesbury/Abingdon Press
Workshop of Wonder: Imagine and Build With God. The overall theme verse is from Psalm 77:14a, “You are the God who works wonders.” Utilizing the background of a workshop children engage Bible characters from both covenants as they explore how people “used what they had to produce something amazing with God.”
2014.cokesburyvbs.com
Praise Break: Celebrating the Works of God. At various points in life and worship we take time to offer God praise and thanksgiving, a “praise break.” “With an intergenerational game, we will celebrate how God has worked through events and people, from the Emancipation Proclamation, to the establishment of schools and businesses, to the gaining of voting rights.” The Bible story teachings, crafts, and outreach projects all work together to help participants ready for a “praise break.” 2014.abingdonpressvbs.com
Concordia Publishing
Gangway to Galilee: Amazing Grace Adventures. The overall theme is “Jesus gives amazing grace.” This rotation model has the children on a boat that stops at sites along the Sea of Galilee. The overall Scripture is from Ephesians 2:8 with a focus on Jesus calling his disciples, teaching from the boat, calming the storm, walking on water and appearing to the seven. vbs.cph.org/2014
Congregational Ministries Publishing/PC(USA)
Awesome Adventures Summer curriculum could be adapted for VBS programs. Packed with “kid-friendly lessons, take-home comics and activities, this broadly graded summer curriculum encourages children to explore Old and New Testament stories of God’s people. Teacher’s Book includes 13 easy-to-use lesson plans, reproducible resource sheets, ‘For the Home’ pages, as well as photocopiable, take-home comic adventures that enable kids to make a comic book of their very own!”
webelieve.pcusa.org/awesome-adventures
Jeff Slaughter Ministries/ Brentwood-Benson
Jeff Slaughter presents VBS Scavenger Hunt 2014. Start at Matthew 7:7 and follow a Scripture-packed path through Bible studies, worship, drama, craft activities and games to help children understand their place in God’s story. This program is for ages 3 to 11 based on a five-day plan with Scripture from Old and New Testaments (text from the NIV). Jeff Slaughter is noted for his music ministry and a few years ago broadened that to include a VBS program.
jeffslaughter.com/category/vbs
Great Commission Publications
Faith Expedition: God’s Treasure Revealed. “Students will travel across time through the lives of Moses, David, Daniel, Matthew, Paul and Silas to discover how God gives his covenant people faith to follow his plan, believe his promises, and obey his plan.” This curriculum is a joint venture between the Presbyterian Church in America and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. gcp.org/Pages/Custom/Vacation-Bible-School.aspx
Group Publishing
Weird Animals: Where Jesus’ Love is One of a Kind. Weird, strange animals are used to assist children age 3 to 11 learn about the unconditional love of Jesus for this five-day rotation model program. The daily Bible Point (New Testament passages) is reinforced in creative ways at each station, ensuring that each child understands the message. group.com/vbs
Wilderness Escape: Holy Land Adventure 2014. Old Testament passages are explored through the rotation of students through the wilderness, taking the names of the tribes of Israel. This program can be used as intergenerational or a kids-only. group.com/vbs
Blast Off: Weekend VBS 2014! Launching Kids on a Mission of God’s Love. This is a weekend rotational VBS program — two sessions and a Sunday celebrative service. The key Bible verse is 1 John 4:7. The children will explore one simple Bible truth — God loves us so … love each other.
group.com/vbs
Gospel Light
SonTreasure Island. A tropical island themed VBS where children will explore the treasure of God’s love. The overall biblical theme is 1 Corinthians 13 with a focus on New Testament characters.
gospellightvbs.com/sontreasure-islan
Lifeway Christian Resources
AgencyD3: Discover, Decide and Defend. Playing on the theme of secret agents, the AgencyD3 program leads children to explore their faith. Children will be able to answer an important question — who is Jesus? This is a five-day rotational program.
lifeway.com/n/Vacation-Bible-School
Living Waters for the World/
Synod of Living Waters, PC(USA)
Clean Water for All God’s Children. This is a mission-focused VBS program developed by Living Waters for the World, the international mission of the Synod of Living Waters, PC(USA). Children move among five stations: Bible story, mission, crafts, music and recreation (preschoolers, however, have a slightly different schedule). Station leaders teach the same lesson each day to multiple groups. Group guides stay with the same group of children for the entire VBS to build relationships. The curriculum can be used from year to year in a variety of settings — VBS, Sunday School, retreats, Wednesday night programs, etc.
livingwatersfortheworld.org/vbs.php
Regular Baptist Press
Arrow Island: Choosing God’s Way. Written specifically with Baptist congregations in mind with the background of a tropical island children explore choosing God’s way in their daily lives. Children rotate through activity stations. Scripture is either from King James Version or the New King James Version. rbpvbs.org
Standard Publishing
Jungle Safari: Where Children Explore the Nature of God. A jungle safari leads children to explore various theological aspects of God as Creator, Provider, Protector, Savior and King. Scripture is drawn from both Old and New Testaments.
vacationbibleschool.com
