VBS at a church other than your own?

[binny]

Would you send your kids to a VBS ( Vacation Bible School) at a church you didnt attend?

We recently moved close to a church we used to attend. We know some of the people that are still there and the kids were invited to attend their VBS next week. I doubt they actually know of the kids anymore ( Cam was still little when we left) but I still think they would have fun.

The doctrine is similar but we have no intention of going back to that church for other reasons, mostly that we are so happy with our current church.

So would you send your kids to a church for something like this if you had intention of attending that church?

 

[SC Minnie]

Our VBS is open to all children in the community. If you think your children will enjoy it then send them. The church will not have a problem at all.

Some parents plan their children in VBS all summer- from church to church.

 

[Bob Slydell]

As a kid, I remember going to a VBS at our neighbor's church (completely different denomination). I had a great time -- can't say I remember anything about the religious aspects of it, but I remember having a lot of fun.

 

[pumba]

first off....we are catholics. Our grandkids and members of our catholic school were invited to attend the Baptist VBS ...and there were three different religions that were asked to attend......Now they alternate to different churches and this is great. We also have social gatherings with the Baptists and the Methodists and have even had the Jewish synagog come too.....I love this

 

[alabamaalan]

Yes, it is a pretty common practice from what I can see.

I realize you are hoping to cater to your "own" kids, and to children who may not have a church home but I usually send my girls to 2 a year.

In fact, this year we have attended the one at our current church, but are also going to let them attend one at our former church, as much to see old friends as anything else.

Since I live in a city with lots of churches having VBS there may be some people who abuse it by sending their kid to multiple churches as a form of child care. I wouldn't want to feel like I was using resources of churches I had no intention of supporting.

When we attend any from another church, it is always to attend with a friend from that church. We don't just go to that "nice church down the road" because they may have a fun program.

However, if the church doesn't mind...no harm done

 

[horseshowmom]

Our VBS is open to all children in the community. If you think your children will enjoy it then send them. The church will not have a problem at all.

Some parents plan their children in VBS all summer- from church to church.

I agree. We always have kids from other churches - the more the merrier. When DD was young, she used to go to other VBS programs at her friends' churches (and they would come with her).

 

[ozarkmom]

Yeah when mine were little they hit several VBS. Our church always has kids from other churches too. I thought that's how it was everywhere.
Also most of the churches advertise their VBS and some offer transportation I think most churches plan on having kids for all over.

 

[Stitchfans]

Yes, DD has been to many VBS at several different churchs beside our own.

 

[discernment]

Yes, as long as it wasnt an Episcopal (sp) church

 

[musclecar_72]

My daughters sunday school class (3 & 4 year olds) usually has 5-7 kids each sunday. Her VBS class last night had 14 so their are many people in our area who send their kids to other church's VBS.

 

[binny]

Alan, that was my concern as well. I havent ever sent my kids to another churches program for that reason. I dont want to "abuse the system". When we did VBS at our church we welcomed all kids no matter if they were from our church or not. Nobody ever said anything about it either.

I guess it just feels different now that I have my own kids. This is the first year we've really done the VBS thing outside of our own home church.

 

[SeeDisney]

Yes, I do it every time, year after year, I usually send my kids to three different VBS'. One in June, one in July and one in August (if there's one).

 

[Nancy]

been there, done that. We are Catholics. We live 1 house away from a Presbytarian Church. They have a VBS every year and my kids went for a long time. They also went to their teen nights every week and did all the lock-ins and feild trips until they were 14 years old. The church welcomes any and all to attend and the kids loved it. All the neighborhood kids went to it.

 

[disykat]

I would if it were in the neighborhood or knew people there and I felt comfortable sending my kids. It would be weird because I've never sent my kids to VBS without also being a volunteer though. I'd probably ask if there was a way I could make a contribution or send in snacks, etc.

 

[phillybeth]

Our VBS is open to all children in the community. If you think your children will enjoy it then send them. The church will not have a problem at all.

Some parents plan their children in VBS all summer- from church to church.

Yup! When I was a wee girl (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth ), VBSs at the churches in my neighborhood were held in the evenings and the churches had alternating schedules. I, and all my friends, were sent to a different VBS every week! I fondly remember the bug juice and pretzels

 

[Buckalew11]

I would if it were in the neighborhood or knew people there and I felt comfortable sending my kids. It would be weird because I've never sent my kids to VBS without also being a volunteer though. I'd probably ask if there was a way I could make a contribution or send in snacks, etc.

While I wouldn't just send my child to any VBS, if I knew the teaching s of the church and knew she'd be safe, sure. I loved going to the Catholic VBS with my best friend when I was a kid.

 

[Libby X 3]

I have sent mine to another VBS. She went with one of her friends and ended up knowing lots of kids from her school and had a blast. This church has a larger program and has an open enrollment after their church members have their enrollment process. It was a good experience.

 

[Disney Ella]

We were United Methodist and went to VBS at the Mennonite Church across the road every year. It was the highlight of the summer! And yes, I would send my child. From what I remember of VBS, it was basic bible stories, nothing about the tenets of that particular denomination.

 

[curiouser]

Oh sheesh, VBS might as well have been day care as far as my mom was concerned. In the summers as a kid I went to VBS after VBS after VBS. I know my mom had my best interest at heart, she wanted me to have a good environment for summer activites, but it was crazy! I'd go from catholic VBS to nondenominal VBS to baptist VBS, etc, etc..

Let me tell you, after all those VBS in the summer we had a lot of craft projects sitting around!

As a rather humourous aside, after all those years of VBS I am now pretty much agonostic.. I know enough that I know I don't know enough!

 

[KirstenB]

Yes, as long as it wasnt an Episcopal (sp) church

So what's the inside joke I'm missing?