[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a VBS leader or volunteer, you spend each day getting to know your crew and seeing each child’s faith transform throughout the week. It’s a special sight… one that I’m sure you’d love to share with the parents of each and every child. But often times, it may feel as though parents come from just a few moments to drop-off and pick up. So how exactly do you get parents involved with VBS? Keep reading for 4 easy ways to encourage participation![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
- Invite Parents to Sail Away Sendoff! What better way for parents to be involved than actively joining in on the VBS fun? As parents drop off their kids in the morning, encourage them to arrive just 20 minutes before scheduled pick-up for Sail Away Sendoff! Not only will they get to experience Shipwrecked VBS first-hand, they’ll love getting to see their child singing, dancing, and praising Jesus with immeasurable joy and enthusiasm! Plus, imagine how excited the kids will be to look back and see their mom or dad dancing right along with them?
- Have an End of VBS Party! As the week comes to a close, consider hosting an End of VBS Party for kids and parents to experience together. Set out refreshments, and allow families to explore each station with the kiddos as the tour guide for your Shipwrecked Island. The kids will have a blast reliving their favorite moments, and the parents will have a blast getting a personal tour from their little one. You can also have a station leader in each room to re-cap the lessons and activities from throughout the week. And the best part? With the stations and decorations already set up, prep should be practically nothing!
- Send Home the Parent Newsletter! In the Clip Art and Resources CD, you’ll find a customizable PDF titled ‘Parent Newsletter Days.’ Each Newsletter includes the Bible Story, Key Verse, Bible Point, KidVid Story and special announcements from your church. As you hand these out, encourage parents to talk to their kids about what they learned at Shipwrecked that day using these points as a reference for discussion. This will not only help parents understand what their kids have learned, but it will give families a great opportunity for faith building at home!
- Encourage Families to Read Their Castaway Logbook Together! This year, kids will be able to take home their very own Castaway Logbook! These unique resources include stunning artwork and stories from the Friends With God Story Bible as well as activities and stories exclusive to this student book. As parents come for the last day of VBS, suggest reading the Castaway Logbook as a family. This unique and engaging resources will help kids share the Bible learning of VBS while giving yet another opportunity for faith conversation at home.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you’re hosting an event, or encouraging faith building at home, always take every opportunity that comes your way to connect with parents! Although I’m sure the majority of parents are from your congregation, there will be families who may not regularly attend church… or even at all. Invite them to come back and inspire faith discussion with the suggestions mentioned above. Also, check out these useful tips to captivate VBS parents for more ideas!
Have additional ways to get parents involved? Share them with us in the comments below![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For an awesome follow-up to Shipwrecked, consider hosting a Treasure Hunt fall festival. Explore more at group.com/TreasureHunt.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
