OT- Non-members going to summer bible camp

[kellia]

Our church isn't doing a vacation bible school this year. My kids have been bringing home lots of flyers from local churches about their programs that they've been giving out at the elementary schools. Is it okay to send them to one of them if we have no intention of switching to that church? They want to go to one that has a lot of fun stuff planned, but I feel really guilty about it! (The church is similar to ours so I'm not worried about them getting any different information or anything like that!)

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[momof1princess]

sure, no one will think twice about it. when we were growing up, my brother and i used to go to VBS with 2-3 different friends each summer, then they all came to ours. i'm an admin assistant at a church, and we've advertised our VBS on our sign for the past 3 weeks, asking people to call to register. everyone is welcome.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Do you mean the one or two week summer bible program that most church have..in the south we call it bible school?

If yes, you can certainly send them to another church. Our church does use VBS as a tool to reach our own kids, as well as a out reach to un-churched kids but we have a TON of kids whom bring friends who belong to a church and a TON of neighborhood kids that have home churches.

Now nerviness Nelly me would want to know at least someone in the church and a little bit about the safety of the program (remember religious does not = safe) but I can not image they would not be welcome at any church. Maybe choose one where some of their friends attend church.

 

[Sagginit]

well i guess it depends. are you paying for the camp? if so then i see no problem with it. if you are sending them and not paying for the camp i see the moral dilemma as it must cost the church for the materials and any snacks/food served while the kids are there. perhaps if you feel guilty and there is no charge you can politely contact the person running the camp and say gee, we thank you for welcoming our kids to be guests at your camp, what is the suggestion donation to the church? i am sure they would appreciate anything you offered to give however if you are not able to, well as christians we do promote being generous and giving to others in need, and your kids are in need of a camp!

 

[kellia]

Yes, sorry, not camp, Vacation Bible School. Usually just a few hours a day for a week.

 

[a1tinkfans]

vbs is open to all and you do not have to feel pressured or anything to change churches. I think they are a great way for kids to spend some quality fun time in a safe environment.Hope they really enjoy it!

 

[torinsmom]

Churches welcome anyone to VBS! Our church can't afford to run one, so I'm sure some of the kids visit others. Churches see it as a way to minister to the community and maybe touch someone's heart. If your child is already a Christian, who's to say they won't be the one who puts the spark in another guest?

 

[Hannathy]

If they are advertising then yes your kids are very welcomed! I was a director for years and we always welcomed any child that signed up. Plus I think it is good for kids to be exposed to other ways of thinking about things.

Now my PSA for all VBS programs out there. Please, please sign your child up BEFORE the first day! we always had walk ups and while we loved having your children it made it very hard to have adequate craft supplies and food. We always worked with a limited budget and tried to make the best crafts we could and have decent snacks and the only way to afford some materials was to order them on line so they weren't readily available locally and would cost more! So we would guess and plan for a few extra but if like 20 kids just walked up the first morning it really led to some hair pulling rearranging. -also making sure to have enough group leaders and even chairs!

 

[christygobar]

Churches will absolutely welcome your kids to their VBS I have family who sends their kids to 5-6 different ones each summer (their church, churchs of other family members and close friends). Hope they enjoy!

 

[willowsnn3]

Our kids usually do 3 different VBS each summer. One at our home church, one at a neighboring church & 1 at a very big church close by.
All 3 churches have kids coming from all over.
The large church is very very big on community, we do a lot of activities there for the children but prefer to go to our home church for Sunday services as it is smaller and more personal.

 

[happygirl]

Of course they will be more then welcomed

 

[fakereadhed]

VBS is basically a membership drive. Having new kids there is the whole point.

 

[disneychrista]

I attended VBS as child at a Church we didn't go to, but it was the church that I had attended pres-school at. I also attended a few times at other churchs.

My kids would attended a couple different ones, during the summer. I think this is why they have them at different church's during different times.

 

[mrsklamc]

VBS is basically a membership drive. Having new kids there is the whole point.

I think that was kinda the OPs point; she feels guilty because she knows they aren't going to switch.

OP I think anyone who is doing it for the right reasons is going to want as many kids there as possible. A small donation to the church as someone suggested is a generous, lovely idea, but not something you should feel obligated to do.

 

[StephMK]

I was VBS director one year & we welcome anyone, no membership push at all. They are just happy to serve kids in any capacity! There are no questions about your current status or why you are attending. Let them go and don't feel a bit of guilt - enjoy!

 

[delmar411]

All the signs I've seen around here specifically say "Everyone welcome" so I wouldn't think it was just for church members at all. If that was the case then there is no need to advertise at all.

 

[elfbo]

My town offsets their VBS programs from the different chruches. As a kid, i would go for 5-6 weeks straight going from one chruch to the next church. And saw many of the same kids each week.

 

[Leajess99]

If they are advertising then yes your kids are very welcomed! I was a director for years and we always welcomed any child that signed up. Plus I think it is good for kids to be exposed to other ways of thinking about things.

Now my PSA for all VBS programs out there. Please, please sign your child up BEFORE the first day! we always had walk ups and while we loved having your children it made it very hard to have adequate craft supplies and food. We always worked with a limited budget and tried to make the best crafts we could and have decent snacks and the only way to afford some materials was to order them on line so they weren't readily available locally and would cost more! So we would guess and plan for a few extra but if like 20 kids just walked up the first morning it really led to some hair pulling rearranging. -also making sure to have enough group leaders and even chairs!

The Vacation Bible School my kids go to every summer actually encourages the kids to bring more friends throughout the week. It is honestly the biggest one in this area and the kids have a blast. They also raise money/supplies for different missions/programs. They have helped with the school backpack program, windows for a church in a small country, and I forget what else.

My youngest will be attending again next week and we missed online signups so we will again sign up on Monday.

 

[Leajess99]

I was VBS director one year & we welcome anyone, no membership push at all. They are just happy to serve kids in any capacity! There are no questions about your current status or why you are attending. Let them go and don't feel a bit of guilt - enjoy!

This. the one my youngest will attend (older kids are too old to attend) also does Upwards sports and different children's and family community programs open to everyone. They are not pushing for everyone to join their church.

 

[bpesch]

I'm guessing if the kids are getting flyers from school that the camps are open to everyone. I wouldn't have any problem with sending my kids if I knew the same basic stuff was being taught that I wanted them to learn.