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Once your VBS has come to a close, you might be looking around wondering, “What’s next?” Here are some tips and ideas for ways to wrap up your efforts with your team and volunteers.
Host an End-of-VBS Community Celebration!
VBS Community Celebrations bring home and church together, as the kids share with family and friends about their experiences at VBS. Here are some easy ways to make it great!
Work with your team leaders to set the date, time, and style of celebration. Will it be an evening celebration? A Sunday morning service? A block party-style event? Anything goes!
Celebration programs typically take place in the assembly area where the kids have already been meeting for assemblies. If your celebration is outside of your VBS assembly area, try to incorporate as many decorating items as possible to recreate the energy and sense of familiarity for your kids.
Open the celebration with a church-wide meal using your own VBS snacks. Put craft projects and science activities on display for your guests to enjoy.
VBS Community Celebrations attract visitors, so create a safe and welcoming atmosphere with greeters and clearly marked points of interest. Allow kids to give their guests tours and show what they’ve been doing!
Remember to post a public update for your congregation on your VBS mission activities and results in your program, newsletter, social media outlets, or all of the above!
Follow up! Provide a voluntary sign-up form for future communications, and personally invite new people to upcoming events (especially back-to-school parties and fall festivals!). Be in prayer for your participants and for ongoing opportunities to serve them.
Show Your Team Appreciation!
Hopefully, you have been actively appreciating your team and leaders all along. Now it’s time for the grand finale of appreciation! Show your team how much you value them with one or more of these ideas, or come up with your own:
Hold an appreciation service for everyone involved in this year’s VBS.
Host an End-of-VBS Wrap Party just for your team!
Send a note or thank you postcards. Remember everyone who gave their time and resources during the planning and the execution of VBS.
Recognize your leadership team during your Sunday services.
List the names of those who served during VBS in your church newsletter.
Create some type of simple gift to give those who served. Some ideas are candy, gum, packages of popcorn, tea, etc.
Final Checklist
Praise God for the guidance you received and the incredible experiences you had during VBS!
Collect all materials and supplies. Return them to the correct closets or cabinets. Return all borrowed decorations and supplies to church members.
Complete your purchase record.
Report on the success of your VBS in your church newsletter and through social media. Encourage your youth and leaders to share their favorite memories.
Follow up with your leadership team. Ask them to pray about serving for VBS next year.
Publicly thank your pastor and staff for all their efforts and concern. Thank your support staff. Make sure all of the office workers, custodians, musicians, and cafeteria staff know they are appreciated too.
Share vital information you learned from your VBS experience with the Cokesbury Team.
Take a well-deserved break and rest following your successful VBS!