Charge for Vacation Bible School?

[ajk912]

Has anyone ever heard of a church charging for vacation bible school? There is a church about 2 miles away from my house, and I have been meaning to check it out for about a year now. I like my church about 20 minutes away, but it doesn't have a lot of kid programs and with an 8, 7, and 4 year old that is a big concern of mine. I figured, Vacation Bible School might be a good time to start! Well, I went to register the kids, and it's $15 a kid for VBS! That would be $45 for my kids! Wow! I know VBS is a costly venture..but I always thought of it as a community outreach type of thing. Thoughts? Has anyone else heard of this? Makes me kind of not want to visit the church..charging for the kid programs doesn't really suit too well with me.. I don't know.

 

[WDWFAN9]

I think I paid that much per kid back when mine were little, and my youngest is now nearly 22. I don't think that is unreasonable at all.

 

[JVL1018]

I've always paid for VBS, and the other churches I see advertising it, also charge.

Ours is next week- it is $20 for the first child, $10 for each additional, with a max of $40 per family.
However, if you can't afford it, you do not have to pay.

 

[Rachie0507]

I pay $15 a kid for our VBS. It was $12 for awhile but went up last year. The kids are there from 9-12, do crafts, get workbooks and CD's of the music, and eat a snack...I think it is a bargain!! I taught at the June session actually, there is a lot more that goes into it than $15 a child and the church covers the rest. It has never bothered me that we have to pay--my kids enjoy it so much and learn a lot over the week. I'm happy to pay for that experience.

 

[kidzmom3]

I don't know about the VBS but CCD is $65 for up to grade 8 and the 9th/10th confirmation years are $100.

 

[minkydog]

Our church has done this, with mixed results. Some people really got bent out of shape about it. Of course, most of them were the same people who take their kids from VBS to VBS all summer for free day care

 

[loco4dis]

Of course they should charge. Good grief. They provide supplies, often refreshments, and the venue which requires electricity, etc. Why would you expect it to be free? I think $15 is a great bargain!

 

[DizneeMommy]

DH is a pastor, and none of the three churches he's been at have ever charged. VBS was viewed as a sort of community outreach program and funded by the church. Many of the children who attended ours this year could not have come if we had charged--especially the ones we picked up from the low income housing units and the homeless shelters!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Ours is $5 per kid with a $10 maximum per family.
Robin M.

 

[cabanafrau]

Well, as the craft coordinator for our VBS which wraps tomorrow, we do not charge, but suggest an amount based on what all of the supplies cost per student as a free-will offering. Some people give generously, some people can't afford to give much or anything, and some people are just out for what they can get for free. Whatever -- the kids have fun & we have fun spending the time with them.

 

[TwinsinCA]

Last year was the first year we went and I couldn't believe they did this kind of thing for free! This year they are charging $20 per child which is completely reasonable considering they get a snack, do a craft, and basically watch my kids for 15 hours. The kids always have a good time.

 

[PaDisney02]

I've never heard of paying for VBS! I even get postcards in the mail from surrounding churches inivting the neighborhood kids to their VBS. I guess ever area is diffrent. if i had to pay I probly would have sent my kids because they go to Sunday school 4 free.

 

[Stewy]

Our local VBS just wrapped up tonight. They did not charge but asked families to bring food for the pantry they keep for needy families. Our VBS feeds our kids a hot dinner every night and then they have activities/crafts. We live in a tightknit rural community and all of the local churches combine resources to put VBS on. My kids had a great time. We would pay if asked but we like the way they handle it.

 

[ElizK]

I have never heard of a church charging for VBS. I have worked VBS every year for the past 12 at two separate churches, plus sent my kids to other churches. It's used as a community outreach program.

 

[castleview]

Our is $15.00 for one kid and $10 for additional siblings. So the most I'm paying is $1.00 an hour. I'm not complaining. There given supplies for crafts, snacks, and adult supervision.

 

[koalababy]

Well half day camps around here go for $100+ per week per kid. You're getting 3 kids for $45. Not too shabby. My mom's church asks for a $30 donation per child. Another church nearby was about the same, but that was just a charge, not donation. I have no problem paying that. Supplies cost a lot and I can't even imagine the amount of volunteer work that goes into it.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Our charge and it is more that $15 a kid. Why would you not expect to pay for a camp/school thing?

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Ours is a $45 donation per kid. No one who chooses not to or cannot pay is turned away. This year we had over 2,000 kids a very large number of whom were bussed in from low income neighborhoods (where we have partnerships with specific streets or schools for rejuvenation projects) at our expense. The kids love the VBS and seem to get a lot out of it.

 

[Gagirl69]

My church has VBS every year. We have never charged a fee. That's the first I've ever heard of charging for it. I personally do NOT believe in this. I volunteer my time to help during VBS so children who are not normally in church may come to know Jesus as their personal lord and savior. If they don't get saved, at least the seed has been planted. If the church can't afford to have VBS w/o charging then they shouldn't have it. IMHO

 

[Caleb's Mom]

My DS recently attended a week long VBS that was more like a VBS day camp. It was 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. each day for $25. He loved it and I would have paid even more for his wonderful experience. Of course, they phrase it as a suggested donation and would certainly not turn away a child for non payment but how else do they pay for craft supplies, snacks and the facility etc. if they don't charge?