This year 2004 vbs was the first year we really had any followup. Every year during resgistration for vbs I have the children/parents addthe childs date of birth (DOB) that way I can mail them a birhtday card. I also send them any information that our church will be doing. I also teach a C,I.A. class (children in actions) I also send invitations to all our outings. but I believe nothing beats a good old fashion vbs training from the association I have gone to one every year I taught vbs it is great.

There are so many things you can do WHILE you follow up! The important thing to remember is that Follow up is continuing the VBS experience to review what was learned and the decisions that were made during the days on your calendar you called "VBS".

At our church our follow up begins before VBS begins. There is a class scheduled for the following Sunday night which is a crash course on basic Christian skills that every New Believer needs to know about. We utilize the materials and theme of VBS to create repitition and encourage the children to always want to remember the time at VBS when they became a Christian--surrendered to the ministry, etc.

I just wanted to share what we plan on doing for follow up, we will be taking pictures throught the week and will make up a newsletter as to what went on and things like that, we will also include a write up about what our church has to offer(awanas, childrens church,youth activities,ets..)we will send to each family as well as a picture of their child in the stand up car that lifeway sells. I thought putting a personal touch to it would grab peoples attention-hope this gives a fresh idea-good luck all...

We do some of the same things, but we have "G.R.O.W " teams in our church.Each team (Green,Red,Orange, and White)have 1 day(or more if needed)of the week each month to do visitation.It could be note writing, phone calling or physically going to someones home to visit.When we receive knowledge of a child who has accepted Jesus as their Savior, we personally cousel them right there.We then talk to the parent(s), and then one of the team members begins the process of visiting that family.Church news letters and a tri-fold of church info goes out.Sunday School teachers are notified of such families and THEY get involved it the witness.

Irisgirl,
how do you all organize all that so that the teams aren't doing repeats?
Shanshe

A great idea was suggested at our VBS Institute this year. Enlist a Follow-up Director as you enlist a VBS Director. This person would be responsible to begin follow-up beginning on Wednesday in preparation for Sunday. Ask every person not enrolled in SS to enroll and encourage participation the first Sunday after VBS.

I'm trying a new idea for follow-up this year in addition to our usual follow up. Will let y'all know if it works. We're planning a VBS Reunion on either a Wed. or Sun. evening the week before school starts. We will pull out all our old decorations, sing the songs, review the memory verses, and bring back a few of our favorite snacks. It will basically only be about an hour, but will give us another opportunity to make contact with the kids and to reinforce the VBS message. We've always had trouble getting the VBS kids into Sunday school because summer is when they go out of town, their not in a routine, or they're just feeling lazy. Once school starts, they're used to getting up earlier and their routine is more predictable. I hope that by contacting them as school is starting, they will be more inclined to join the various regular ministries of the church. I'd love any suggestions that y'all think would add to this Reunion experience!

We also are thinking of doing a vbs "reunion" before school starts.
I really have no new ideas to offer than what you have mentioned so would be interested in anyone else who might have done this.
I think it sounds like such a good follow up plan!

We have asked Sunday School classes to provide extra offerings to fund follow-up. Two reasons: It creates awareness of the follow-up plan and involves them at the beginning, and it also saves the main VBS budget for other things. With the money collected we have bought enough kid's VBS music CD's and Parent brochures to take to each home after VBS. The free CD is a gift that creates a "reason" for us to come by for a visit. We will visit each home that had kids in our VBS to "thank" them for coming, share with parents what the children learned via the parent brochure, investigate their church affiliation, and share the gospel with them. We are enlisting follow-up volunteers just like we did VBS workers. We are calling it our "second week" of VBS.

Mike Stover

The VBS Reunion is such a good idea and we are planning to do the same just before school starts. We are also doing a scrapbook in Souvenir Crafts and will probably continue a page on the night of our reunion as suggested by Lifeway. At the reunion/scrapbooking we will provide a pamphlet or such telling our visitors more about the activities of our church.

Our church has a rotation-type Sunday school. We typically hold a VBS reunion during one of the winter months that has a fifth Sunday in the month. We ask them to wear their VBS t-shirt on that Sunday and to invite friends. The children like to watch the drama video, eat VBS snacks, sing VBS songs. At the end we introduce the upcoming VBS theme and do a little promotion. Then the children usually perform the theme song from the past VBS for the congregation. You'd be surprised at how many will remember the hand motions! It is a fun time for us all.

Teri

Trying something new. Made cards that will serve as registration card, attendance card, and visitation card for each child.

I made cards to place in small notebooks (like the ones for Sunday School records) for each class. I use card stock and can make 2 cards from 1 sheet (print it landscape) and make copies using the feature on a copy machine that copies 2 sheets to 1 sheet, that is printed front and back. Could use a different color for each class.

OR, you could just print it on 1 sheet of paper, fold it in half, punch holes, and they are ready to insert in books.

On the left half, I type lines to enter the child's name: ____, age: ____, church member: ____, Sunday School Member: ____, Church Name: ____, Address: ____, Parent Name: ____, Emergency Phone: ____, and Alleries: ____. Use underscore key to make lines for the info. At the bottom, I made blocks for each day to be checked for attendance.

On the right half, I type on separate lines "1st Contact:, Date: _____, Visited by: _____, Remarks: _____, 2nd Contact:, Date: ____, Visited by: ____, Remarks: _____. Joined SS: _____"

These cards will be used for registering each child. Then, they will be used as attendance cards for each class (and reminds teachers of allergies). After VBS, the cards of church or Sunday School members can be removed (or moved to back of book). Those remaining (or in front of book) need to be visited. Addresses, etc. is right there, and, on the back of card are lines to add info on visits and whether they joined Sunday School.

Hope I explained it okay!