Vacation Bible School in 2021
VBS in Covid-land Part II.
That’s what this feels like, right?
Hopefully, a liiiittle less restrictive for you than 2020. But still safe, guarded, different.
Different can be hard. Especially within an entire year full of different.
But different can also give us space to try something new.
So what will you try this Vacation Bible School season?
You will likely have families who will prefer their child experiences VBS mostly, if not entirely online and other families who will want things to be exactly like it always has been.
Click here for the video version of this post!
Talk to Other VBS Leaders
First things first, be in community with other Vacation Bible School leaders.
This could be other VBS leaders local to your church, other VBS leaders in your denomination, or others all over the country.
Ask the other leaders in your community what other VBS leaders they may know or communities they may be connected with. Usually someone knows someone. Even having one or two others to lean on could make a world of difference in the season ahead.
You can also check out this Facebook group of 2021 VBS Directors. It is extremely active and as of this writing there are over 6,000 members.
Listen to Your Families
When you’re trying to decide what Vacation Bible School will look like in 2021, the best place to turn is to the families you will be serving.
Whether that means the families of your faith community or the families of the community you are in, the time to reach out and ask is now.
Actually, that time has probably passed. But it’s still worth it.
Knowing the needs, desires, and comfort levels of the people you are seeking to serve will help you build the most helpful VBS possible.
Allow Multiple Pathways
If you do not get a clear answer about what your community is hoping VBS will look like, do what you can to build out multiple pathways.
If you can make this easy on yourself, do so!
If you are all in-person but multiple pathways means you record certain segments while they are happening and share them privately, that works!
If you are all online but multiple pathways means a safe one day one hour in-person opportunity to connect rather than a full week, that works!
Unless you have the help, time, and energy multiple pathways does not and should not look like hosting two (or more!) versions of the same VBS.
Just consider how you might be able to serve multiple needs if they present themselves in your community.
Don’t Burn Yourself Out
Last but far from least, don’t burn yourself out with VBS.
If you just can’t do Vacation Bible School in 2021, don’t beat yourself up.
Look at all of the other wonderful work your faith community is involved in. Look at where the Spirit is moving. Look at the other needs you are meeting, people you are loving, and light you are shining.
Vacation Bible School is just one great thing among many others.
Do what you can. Don’t feel any shame if it’s nothing like 2019 or even 2020.
And have as much fun as possible doing it.
That’s what VBS is all about, right?