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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 8/4/2009 9:57:26 AM
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| We have a new Children's Ministry Director and that person wants to "break even" so wants to charge more for kids attending VBS. We currently charge $15 but give a $5 per kid discount to anyone helping out during or before VBS with prep. We do have a family maximum and we also have scholarships. This price includes a professionally done t-shirt, Bible buddies, and most crafts from Group. Just wondering what other churches do. Heidi VBS Director when not a 3rd grade teacher!
Heidi
3rd grade teacher
(alter ego VBS director)
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 8/30/2009 9:20:52 AM
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| We do not charge for VBS. We have a couple of fundraisers in the months before VBS as well as an offering competition between our crews. Each crew leader is in the running for a "prize" which is usually something funny & related to our theme. This year the Crocodile Dock winner received a mud bath The crew that brings the most offering over the entire week is declared the winner and their crew leader gets the prize. If we have small crews we will combine a couple of them to even things out as much as possible. The kids love it, the parents really get into, and since it is a group effort no one feels left out if they are unable to give. We are careful to point out to the kids that by giving to God everyone wins because we are then able to share His love with more children. Christy
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: 11/8/2009 3:46:24 PM
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Charging a registration fee seems to be geographical. In Central Texas, we don't charge a fee, but I have seen $15 - $30 listed for other locations in the past. It may depend on what all is offered for the cost too, like you mentioned buddies and a t-shirt. Some offer dinner (or lunch), and it's reasonable that the cost be recovered. Our Kids Camp is a huge outreach to the community, so if we charged anything, it would eliminate some from attending. In locations where it's popular to have many activities to choose from, cost is only a small part of the decision to attend VBS, so pray about it, check your budget, ask adults who would be paying, and then make the decision with confidence. Something you might consider is to charge for t-shirts and any other purchases like CDs, but make your actual VBS registration fee low enough to include as many kids as possible. I guess I have the evangelist's approach, but you just do what God directs you. He'll bring all those He wants there anyway.
Shawn Parker
Eddy, Texas
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: 8/29/2009 10:12:45 AM
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We don't charge a fee for VBS. We have fundraisers and if we need it the church helps us buy what we need. We also ask for donations from the church people. We are a small church and the Lord always supplies our needs for VBS.
Angela in NC
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: 10/27/2009 3:09:04 PM
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| We don't charge either. Church totally funds it in their budget.
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Forum Expert
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| Its an outreach at our church and free for the kids . God bless Doreen
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 9/28/2009 4:40:20 PM
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| We charge $10/child. For adults that assist, there is no charge. We've had many people tell us we undercharge. Our crafts/Co-director told that mom she should put the rest in the offering. We don't do this to make money...the number of children we touch is remarkable. Many people in our community plan July trips around our schedule. Our offering is split between our church and our mission project. This year our mission was the OK2K program. What an amazing thing to see the little ones present their offering of a stuffed turtle.
LOVIN' VBS! JULIE, SOUTH LYON, MICHIGAN
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 11/12/2009 7:00:04 PM
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This is going to sound completely outrageous compared to the other replies, but we charge $50/child for our VBS. We do not have any budget from the church, so our entire program is funded through registration fees (every child received a screen printed t-shirt, Bible Buddies, Group's craft each day, Bible book, snack). Station leaders receive a 1/2 price discount for their kids. Our church is very supportive of the program, however, we do not have the budget to support the program. Until about 5 years ago, we charged $25 a child and I had many parents approach me saying that they would be willing to pay more. In our area, many parents pay much more money for camps at the park district and are happy to pay this for 3 hours a day for 5 days. Our enrollment was at 100 this year (only down from 110 last year), but every year before that our enrollment has grown. If a family is unable to pay, they will receive a scholarship. On our last day this year I even had several families say to me that they could not believe we were able to make $50 stretch that far! I know it wouldn't work in all areas, but it works for us and we are happy to have such a successful program that does not cost our church any money! Stephanie in IL |
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: 11/9/2009 3:16:58 PM
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| VBS is an outreach at our church and we do not charge and fees. The church has a VBS budget & we have a donation can. God Bless Thelma in Canada
Gramma4him
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: 10/20/2009 7:55:10 AM
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| Each VBS is different in accordance with their church. The mojority of people in our community would not be able to attend VBS at all if there were a registration fee. Ours is absolutely free funded by a very small budget, usually buying just the starter kit. The supplies are picked up by various church members and where we can cut money without losing content we do it for sure. It is not neccesarily the easiest way of doing things, but creativity, effort, and help from the forums goes a very long way! Muchas gracias to all the forum idea experts!
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