Ideas for VBS in the Summer of COVID-19
At the time of this posting, we still don't know when churches will be gathering again, or how many people will be allowed to gather at one time. This will vary state by state, and church by church. What should be true, however, is that people will be looking forward to getting back together, so it's a special opportunity to remind people of what we often take for granted about the church -- its fellowship, and the grace of being the gathered people of God.
I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel. Christian education has a lot of special event experience that can be translated into filling the need for a VBS and the loss of so many weeks of Sunday School. My thoughts are drawn toward some of the "outdoor" events I've been part of because outdoor gatherings may be perceived as safer than indoor in 2020.
Since I originally posted the following ideas, our Training Team has published Ways to Connect and Care Beyond the Classroom -- many of which could be used in lieu of a VBS to use this summer as a time of outreach, rather than "programming."
Here are two ideas based on some summer successes I've had:
1) Outdoor Evening Campfire
I've done this in two churches for summer programming. The first was a small church where we set up a fire ring at the church and invited families to join us for a hot-dog roast, songs, lesson time, and fellowship. We held three of these over the summer --splitting them up by grade group. This was especially well-received by the older adults/families. (See my PPE idea below for having everyone wear a decorated mask). The second church where we did this was held at a member's farmstead and was billed as a "one night VBS" for families. Pastor even had a 10 minute interactive message about "tending the family fire." Both were very well-received. In one locale we had to get a campfire permit, which the local firehouse was happy to grant (in another church we had to contact the city fire marshall).
2) "Meet Us at the Park"
Invite small groups to join you at the park two or three times in a row for a time of food, games, song (with elements of worship), and creative intergenerational "low contact" learning. Repeat and improve for subsequent groups. Participants could create a protective facemask to wear at these events with messages and to function like a "nametag."
I've been in two churches where we did "Meet Us At the Park." At one, we invited "kids and their friends." At the second church where we did this, we billed it as an ice cream social. No reason the ice cream couldn't be the wrapped kind. We also had "live music" of a contemporary variety at the one Park meeting. At another park meeting we included some kids Bible songs and invited some adults to come forward and learn/do the hand motions. Big smiles all around.
I like it when Bible topics and themes cross paths with big things going on in the lives of our kids. In particular, the Personal Protective Equipment we have become so used to seeing on the news (and wearing), has caught my teacher's eye. With that in mind, here are some COVID inspired topic brainstorms:
"God's PPE"


Taking Your Spiritual Temperature


BTW: reusable "forehead temperature strips" are under a buck a piece on Amazon. I wonder what a craft-made strip for "spiritual temperature" would look like 
Spiritual Health Check-up (as well as physical/mental health)
"Social Nearing" -- welcoming and caring for those in need, looking for those on the fringes around you. The woman who touches the fringes of Jesus' garment.
How Germs Spread, How Sin Spreads, How the Gospel Spreads, How you can be "infectious" (in a positive sense)
There are some interesting "spread of germs" demonstrations on the school science websites. Here's one (of many) science experiments reinforcing the importance of washing hands. https://youtu.be/djxmuDz8c3s. Here's another "germ distribution" experiment in a classroom of kids using a product called "Glo Germ." https://youtu.be/I5-dI74zxPg (UV flashlights are inexpensive.)