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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 6/1/2008 1:01:11 PM
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| | How do you guys handle the adults/parents that are not volunteers? Do you offer an adult class whaile the kids are in their cl? What about the teens? I am very confused abut the issue. I thought I was in charge of the kids 3 yo through 5th grade. Am I supposed to handle the whole community? |
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| | | Forum Guru
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Last Login: 8/3/2008 8:31:39 PM
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| If you do not have a program for adults or teens, just make it clear that it is only for the children. As long as everyone knows what to expect, in advance, it should be okay
Lisha
Mulder Church |
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Last Login: 9/30/2008 1:05:57 PM
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| | The best thing to do with them: Sign them up as volunteers!!!! You can always use a few floaters or fill ins too. Youth often help as assistant station leaders or mature youth can be crew leaders. You could also have assistant crew leaders. Group does offer an optional leader book for a youth program called Oozology you could offer during VBS. I have heard some churches do morning VBS with teen helpers and then the teens have their class in the afternoon. Some churches do offer cl for adults but I think that is less common these days. We did it one year when I was in California many years ago. It was mainly church families that stayed but it was nice to have something because the travel times were so long there it didn't make sense to just drop them off. Hope all that helps! There is no right or wrong way to do it.
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| | | Junior Member
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Last Login: 6/20/2008 5:52:36 AM
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| | I always seem to have many children who are too old for VBS show up. Some parents I think feel that it's babysitting service and send their children anyway. I try to put them to work. I am running extremely short on supplies though so I can't let them have buddies or crafts. I would like to but I am afraid I won't have enough for everyone as it is. |
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Forum Expert
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| | Thanks rap for your idea on the teen VBS curriculum. I should remember this for next year. I could have the teens come the week before and do the teen program so they know the Bible Points and other ins and outs of Group's VBS so they can be better volunteers. Thanks! To answer the original question, you can have a teen and/or adult VBS incorporated into your traditional preschool/elementary age VBS if you'd like. Most churches don't do this because they need their teens as volunteers for VBS. This year Group didn't write a curriculum for an Adult VBS. Group, Will this be back for Crocodile Dock? God Bless, Josh T. in Ohio
 Group's Crocodile Dock VBS 2009  June 15-19, 2009 |
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| | | Forum Expert
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Last Login: 7/23/2008 10:15:38 AM
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| | You can't just sign them up as volunteers if you know nothing about them (especially if you require background checks. You would be asking for major trouble. We do not use anyone who isn't a church member and had training. It's a safety thing for us and the kids. |
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Forum Guru
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Last Login: 8/21/2008 7:06:40 PM
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| You could always encourage the adults to join in & go through the program w/ their children.
You can't do background checks (as far as I know) on those under 18, but with Group's program, there are plenty of areas to help out where volunteers aren't w/ kids by themselves or 1:1. No, I wouldn't want someone I don't know walking a child to the bathroom, but they can certainly help run snacks to rooms or clean up after snacks or help clean up the games area or reset it after each rotation. They can run supplies to stations, help pass out craft supplies & clean up that area after each rotation. But, if it's a matter of them wanting to stand around & visit w/ each other, perhaps a room could be provided for them to do that where they're not distracting. Perhaps someone else in the church could offer a class for them - a parenting class, maybe? There are some good DVD series. Ideally, though, I think you'd want to have them learn the songs & motions & see what the "new VBS" is all about & they'll be volunteering before you know it!
Lori in Central Florida |
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Last Login: 6/23/2008 1:24:08 PM
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| | My experience is that I have twice as many children attend as teen helpers and adults. The ratio seems high but it becomes a week of intergenerational learning. The 6th grade and up young people learn as much in a week of VBS as the little ones. I am very clear to those in Gr 6 and up that there are not enough crafts, etc for them to do...they are there as helpers. I do make sure to have enough of the food though!!! I am always clear that no one just shows up. Everyone needs to have contacted me or registered ahead of time. I understand that some programs have walk-ins but there is no time during VBS to pay attention to the walk ins and that is when you experience difficulties. Helpers without a role can cause disruption. The helpers need to have attended the trainings or met with me. Young people that have clear cut responsibilities and understand that they are there to have organized fun with the children are a wonderful asset and it provides great life lessons for them. The helpers also feel very empowered that you are respecting their abilities and it is a win win situation for all. It may create a little friction the 1st time that you "organize" it all and put your expectations out there but the benefits for everyone involved are tremendous. No adults ever help out without going through the proper background checks and trainings. When you explain that it is for the safety of the children and the adults they are usually appreciative. Those that cannot understand the safety issue....oh well; better safe. |
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