Hey Marsha from PA...funny story...My Mom's name is Marsha and she too is from PA.    So I like you already!

Yes, I had bought 1 per child, and my Bible Blast person gave me a whole bunch of them back at the end.  She said they where able to reuse those and the crosses they made.  I would say purchase half of the amount you think you need.  I think I ordered 2 packages and 1 would have been more than enough.

Hope you have a great VBS!

The biggest difficulty I am having is that Harcourt tried to make it Catholic but basically all they did was add the People of Faith cards (during snack time?? who thought food and trading cards mixed??) and a Catholic Relief Services / Social Justice tie in. They also added a couple "Catholic" songs.  No mention of sacraments, Catechism, or any basic Catholic teachings.

I have received messages from other Catholic churches that are having the same problems as I am. To give you an example of what I have had to do to make it work I will show a sample schedule ....

             9:00-9:15        Gathering and opening in SCHOOL GYM

Will not do Sonic Sing and Play as it is written. I am having to write my own opening and music will be a seperate station. With the CRS connection there is no time for any songs.

             9:20-9:45        Cinema Science-Library

Elimating the buddies so had to rewrite around that.

             9:50-10:15      Music

We like to have music time. Always has been this way it is not a part of the opening. We do a performance on the last day for family that is a tradition everone looks forward to.

            10:20-10:45     Snacks-Outside weather permitting

We will not have kids preparing their own snacks or snacks for others and have a team of volunteers that will prepare for everyone. We will not be handing out the trading cards here as the Catholic version suggests.

            10:50-11:15     Bible Blast

This is the only station I have not had to change or rewrite.

            11:20-11:45     Crafts-Art room

Catholic People of faith cards will be tied-in here. Had to write my own script for that.

            11:50-12:00     Closing and dismissal -SCHOOL GYM

No faith fusion finale.. I will wrap up the day and wrote a script tying this into Catholic teachings.

We have also eliminated the special preschool program, Hyperspeed Games and the slide show.

So you can see how difficult this has been for me and why I am feeling wiped out. I would have loved to just hand out the Leader Manuals to people and just told them to go for it ya know??

Heather

Religious Education Director from Washington

Under His Wing,

Faith doesn't get you around trouble, it gets you through it!

Wow Heather, that is quiet a deviated version of Power Lab.  Just out of curiosity since I too am not Catholic...does the catholic Church put out a VBS curriculum?

I agree also with what Danielle said, and say it with respect...Does your VBS have to be focused on the fact that you are catholic?  I go to a Baptist Church and have friends at other demonitaions and none of us are making sure that "The Baptist Faith and Message", or whatever demonitational thing we have, is a part of our VBS.  VBS is a time for our kids to, in Power Labs case, Discover Jesus' Miraculous Powers.  Not the ins and outs of our particular faith.

Do you have a team of people that are working with you?  Is your priest involved or hands on in this process.  I guess I am just hoping for your sake that there is someone with you that can maybe eliviate some of the pressure and let you know that its Ok to just let VBS be what it is.  VBS!  An oppurtunity for kids to learn more about Jesus and have those seeds planted.

I hope and pray that you are able to get some of these issues resolved and truly enjoy your Power Lab experience.  I pray Jesus will show you personally some of His Miraculous Power as you plan this big event.

Our VBS is very well attended by our kids and they always bring friends.  We receive VERY positive feedback from the kids and parents who don't attend our church as well as our own parents and kids.  Our Director of Religious Ed has said to stick with Group (but I think she does want the people of faith cards next year! )

Blessings to you!

As for making it Catholic...The Catholic church has specific teachings and as DRE I am required to make sure that the program is online with what we teach. We also do not get many children from outside our church (non-Catholic's I have 3 out of over 50 registered) and people who do send their children to me from our parish are expecting their kids to have a Catholic VBS. If people want a non demonational VBS they go to one of the Community Churches.

I know it may be hard to understand and I take no offense to your questions.

Heather

Religious Education Director from Washington

In His Love,

Mama C

Romans 8:38-39

Nothing can separate us from His love.