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Last Login: 8/5/2008 1:51:33 PM
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| I'm looking for some supplies that aren't even listed on the website. I'm trying to link to them from the supply list calculator and I'm getting a blank page. I don't see them listed anywhere else. I'm looking for light and dark blue balloons and Power Lab stickers (not sad face stickers) Does anyone know what is going on? If they are out-of-stock, I wish it would just say that so I could save time searching and searching.
Thanks!
Linda
Linda
VBS Director
www.emilywesleyan.com
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Last Login: 8/6/2008 1:30:13 PM
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| | It looks to me like they are out of stock/discontinued. They were easy to find back when I ordered. As far as the balloons go, the ones they sold were nothing special. I bought some of the dark blue ones, but they had run out of the light blue. We have a fairly small VBS (around 26 kids) and we would have never filled the beaker with the balloons they sold. You probably need 300-400. Anyway, don't know what to tell you on the stickers. You can survive without them, but there are lots of times where you are supposed to use a specific one. If you want to get some, I would suggest looking on the forum where you can buy and sell supplies. Someone must have extras they could sell. |
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| Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your input. This is my first try using a Group VBS curriculum and it has been very frustrating to me. I've never had this much trouble getting a VBS off the ground. It doesn't help when they build their program around items they don't stock. Is this year an exception for Group or is it always this way?
Linda
VBS Director
www.emilywesleyan.com
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| Linda in MN (7/10/2008)
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your input. This is my first try using a Group VBS curriculum and it has been very frustrating to me. I've never had this much trouble getting a VBS off the ground. It doesn't help when they build their program around items they don't stock. Is this year an exception for Group or is it always this way?
I should say that I'm not only talking about the balloons and stickers unavailable but, so much more including crafts, mega beaker, etc. Very frustrating. If I knew I was in for this, I would not have picked Power Lab. For me, it hasn't been the "easy VBS". 
Linda
VBS Director
www.emilywesleyan.com
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| Hi Linda,
I think this year is an exception. I have done Group for over four years and have never seen the trouble like this year. The minute I heard science theme I knew it was going to be popular. I really don't think Group knew how popular it was going to be. Also I think Group should have put the Science kit with the regular items for sale and not in the outlet store. When I hear outlet I think these are things that would be nice to have but you can get along with out it and I think this threw a lot of people off. The science kit was needed in Chadder. Luckily as I looked at the catalog I saw the science kit and continued to read. The next line said these would be used in Chadder. So I ordered one. Since I have been using the forum for many years I also knew to order early. But I don't think I have seen so many back orders especially in May as there was this year..
Power Lab is great. Tomorrow is our last day. Day 4 finale is very moving. Give Group another chance as it really is easy to do.
Kathy
Riverside Kathy |
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| Linda, I too have been frustrated with ordering from Group this year....however, I have managed to pull everything together (thanks in large part to the folks on this forum). It took a little extra work this year, but I think it will be worth it (we start on Sunday), because the Group curriculum is so good. I know Group has listened to frustrations in the past, and have been willing to make changes suggested from the m (the web tool box is soooo much better this year, and will be even better next year, I bet). So, I'm guessing they will do all they can to avoid repeating this Cinema Science fiasco again next year. I hope you can make it work this year. Try the buy, sell, donate forum and I'll bet you can get some good stuff...maybe cheap or even free! There are a lot of generous folks on this forum site!
Kelsy in Kansas
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| Thanks for your answer. I never saw the science kits either in the regular store or the outlet store. (I'm confused about the term outlet....that usually means things are cheaper. I don't know what Group means by "outlet")
You say you've been using Group for many years and know to order early. Does that mean they consistently fail to have needed items in stock? If not, why would we need to order so early? It is frustrating that only 1/3 of the way through the VBS season, so many items were out of stock and some are not even listed anymore. (Not every church is able to order early.) Two items I clicked on from the VBS supply calculator took me to other items, one from Avalanche Ranch. I have just spent hours and hours of my time trying to get together this "easy VBS" and finding roadblocks at every turn. For example, how do I even know what the contents are of the sciences kits for Cinema Science and Chadder's Theater so I can try to get my own kits together. (and I don't have time for this!)
The curriculum tells us we will need less staff but, I find I need more staff. Station leaders and crew leaders add up to more staff than last year and I'm still trying to fill all my positions.
My VBS director's guide gave job descriptions for each station leader. I recruited based on those descriptions. Further study showed that the Cinema Science leader had significant other responsibilities besides what was on that list and the retired gentleman I recruited was feeling a bit flustered that he had more to do than he originally volunteered for. I was embarrassed by that.
Just some example of my frustrations with using Power Lab. I'm sorry if it sounds negative but, I so disappointed with my experience. I have directed with VBS programs from at least three other publishers and have never had these kinds of problems. It has been a huge stress for me and time is running out.
Thanks for listening.
Linda
VBS Director
www.emilywesleyan.com
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| Kelsy in Kansas (7/11/2008)
Linda, I too have been frustrated with ordering from Group this year....however, I have managed to pull everything together (thanks in large part to the folks on this forum). It took a little extra work this year, but I think it will be worth it (we start on Sunday), because the Group curriculum is so good. I know Group has listened to frustrations in the past, and have been willing to make changes suggested from the m (the web tool box is soooo much better this year, and will be even better next year, I bet). So, I'm guessing they will do all they can to avoid repeating this Cinema Science fiasco again next year. I hope you can make it work this year. Try the buy, sell, donate forum and I'll bet you can get some good stuff...maybe cheap or even free! There are a lot of generous folks on this forum site!
Thanks for your suggestions. I just wish Group wouldn't leave us in the position to have to go on a scavenger hunt for items they were supposed to stock. I have so much other work to be doing on VBS. If they can't stock something, it would be a kindness to at least list the item and explain that it is out-of-stock (some items have this, some are just "missing") It would wonderful if they could list the items in the science kit for us and possibly give us some other ideas on where to find the items. I'm just saying that if they run out of something, they could at least give us more help alternative or replacement ideas instead of leaving us hanging.
I'm going to be at our church camp and conference next Monday through Friday and I don't have hours and hours to be doing this. Our VBS is only a little over two weeks away. In my case choosing the "easy VBS" wasn't easy. I feel stuck because I'm committed to Power Lab now but, I know I have a lot of headaches ahead trying to get it all together.
Linda
VBS Director
www.emilywesleyan.com
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