Vacation Bible School 2015

It’s that time of year again. . . Just a few more weeks of school. Vacations are in the making. Kids are wondering what to do this summer. Mom is thinking about how to keep her kids entertained.

Vacation Bible School might be an answer for your family.

When I was growing up in the Chicago suburbs, my mom signed us up for at least one week of VBS every summer. Sometimes we went to our home parish and other times we joined friends at theirs, depending on what worked with our travel plans. My brother and I loved it! Not only did it give us a chance to go to “summer camp,” we played with our friends while learning more about our faith in a fun and interactive atmosphere.

My son is finally old enough to attend VBS. I can hardly wait to see how he likes it and see how it has changed. I remember making little sheep out of construction paper and cotton balls, but after flipping through my Oriental Trading Magazine, I can tell they’ve come a long way from popsicle sticks and cassette tapes!

Some key points about VBS:

1. Date. They usually are scheduled for a week long in June and July, but register early. Many registrations start the very end of April or beginning of May. Some links below are included to the registration page, otherwise contact the church directly.

2. Vacation Bible School. Also known as VBS, VBX (Vacation Bible Xperience).

3. Themes. There are many themes offered this summer! Maybe your kids would like one theme more than another, or if you decide to sign up for more than one week of VBS, be sure to check out alternative themes.

4. Age. Some start as young as 3 years old, but the average starting age is 4 and continues through grade school. I noticed one program is encouraging  families to attend this summer with an adult program coinciding with the VBS program.

5. Volunteer. Looking to get involved as a family? Consider volunteering. It takes a lot of hands to pull together an awesome week of fun for so many kids. Most programs would love to have you help in the classroom, crafting, or behind the scenes. They often have childcare opportunities for your little ones if they are too young for the program and might offer discounts for VBS as well.

Here is an updated sampling of local VBS programs offered this summer, including dates, times, ages, costs and themes, if known at the time the list was made. Please comment below with any churches I forgot or with updated information to help our readers.

Bethany Lutheran Church, June 2—5, 8:30—11:30am, 1st through 5th grade, Donations of $10 per child or max of $25, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

Camelback Bible Church, June 8—12, 9–12:15pm, Ages 4 through 6th grade, $30 per child, Journey Off the Map

Chaparral Christian Church, June 8—12, 5:30-8:30pm, Ages 4 through entering 6th grade and adults, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

Christ Church of the Ascension, June 1–5, 9-noon, Ages 4 through 6th grade, Donation, Spies Like Us

Desert Springs Bible Church, June 8—12, 9—noon, Ages 4 through 6th grade, $20 per child, $30 after May 1, Splash Camp: Discovering God’s Plan 4 Us=Jesus

Highlands Church, June 15—19, 9-12:30pm, K through 6th grade, Donation, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

La Casa de Christo, July 13—23 (9 days), 9—noon, Ages 4 through entering 6th grade, $65, Bible Blast to the Past

Living Streams Church, June 22—26, $30 per child, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

Mountain View Presbyterian Church, June 8–12, 8:45—noon, G-Force God’s Love in Action

North Bible Church, June 1—5, 8:45—noon, Age 4 through entering 6th grade, $15 per child, Journey Off the Map

North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, June 22–26, 9—noon, $45 per child, G-Force God’s Love in Action

Northridge Community Church, July 13-17, Ages 4 through entering 5th grade, Free, t-shirt $10, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

Paradise Valley United Methodist Church, July 13—23, 9—noon, Ages 3 through entering 6th grade, $35 per child, $70 max, G-Force God’s Love in Action

Pinnacle Presbyterian, June 1–5, Ages 4 through 5th grade, $50 per child, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

Phoenix First Assembly, June 22–26, 9—noon, Ages 4 through 5th grade, Free, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

St. Bernadette, June 15—19, 9:30—12:30pm, Ages 4 through entering 5th grade, $50 per child if registered by May 18, $65 after, Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus was a Kid

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, June 8—12, TBD

Saint Joan of Arc, June 8—12, 9—1pm, Pre-K through 5th grade, $35 per child, Catholetics: Training to Be Champions for Christ

Saint Maria Goretti, June 8—12, 9—noon, Ages 4 through 5th grade, $35 for one, $50 for two and $65 for three or more, Around the World with Mary

Saint Patrick, June 15—19 , 9—12:30pm and July 13—17, 9—12:30, Ages 4 through 5th grade, $60 per child, Week 1: Cross Culture: Thailand Trek, Week 2: Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

St. Theresa Parish, June 22–26, 9—noon, Ages 4 through 4th grade, $30 per child, Peter Pan: Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust

Scottsdale Bible Church—Cactus Campus, June 15—19, 9—noon, Ages 4 through entering 4th grade, $10 per child, Journey Off the Map

Scottsdale Bible Church—Shea Campus, June 8—12, 9—noon, Ages 4 through entering 4th grade, $20 per child, $60 max, Journey Off the Map

Scottsdale Bible Church—Mountain Valley Campus, June 22–26, 9—noon, Ages 3 through entering 5th grade, $20 per child, $60 max, Journey Off the Map

Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, June 1–5, 9-11:30 (K-3rd), 9:15-11:45 (3-4yrs), 8:45-11:45–3 (5-6th), Ages 3 through 6th grade, $45 per child, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

Shiloh Community Church, June 15—19, 9—noon, Ages 4 through entering 3rd grade, Donation, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

Valley Presbyterian Church, June 22—26, 8:30—noon, Ages 4 through 5th grade, $30 per child, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power