Welcome Aboard!

For High-Seas Fun and Deep Bible Learning, Get on Board Group's New
Vacation Bible Ship!

Group Publishing

Group Publishing, prices available for components upon request

Review by Martha Sedberry

Ahoy There! VBS Ship Setting Sail

Active learning is mandatory for today's kids. Group Publishing has been championing this approach for almost 20 years, and their new curriculum for VBS, Vacation Bible Ship, definitely fits that description. With the theme, "Anchoring Kids in God's Love," it recommends putting kids in a lifeboat, giving each an assignment, and launching them on a week of Bible-centered activity.

Designed for a five-day program, all components are centered around a nautical theme. That's very obvious as you look at the Bible verses and stories, songs, crafts, games, and refreshments. Bible stories range from Noah and the Ark to Jesus' calming the storm; games include Jonah ball, and goodies come from the galley; and Bible Ship showtime is suggested each day.

We were able to review the Leader's Guide to the Brite-Tite Crafts part of the program. Supplies are provided in each Lifeboat Crew Kit, and a clear list of things needed for each activity is given. Two special features- "Port Safety Tips" and "For Smoother Sailing" provide teacher tips in short, easy-to-digest segments.

The music (and there's lots of it) includes a new Barry McGuire song written especially for Vacation Bible Ship-"Welcome Aboard." Other music includes longtime favorites, for example, "This Is the Day", "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High," and "I Believe in Jesus."

The most unique feature of the curriculum is its approach to organizing kids in mixed-age groups. A "Lifeboat Crew" might include kids from kindergarten through fifth grade, each with specific age-appropriate assignments and qualities to contribute. The suggested job duties include Reader, Travel Agent, Materials Manager, Cheerleader, and Prayer Person.

The Vacation Bible Ship program offers a wide range of materials: Chadder's Stowaway Adventure videos, Life Vests, Crews News (take-home newsletters), Bible Ship Drama audio cassettes, and Brite-Tites craft materials. Small churches will certainly want to examine this program. Jim Grogg, Group's director of marketing, cites "Bible content, a fun theme, and ease of use" as the critical factors in selection of materials for vacation Bible school. The clear instructions, careful time limits, and uncomplicated assignments for crafts and activities make it very easy to use.

The program also meets a real need in terms of teachers. It requires fewer adult volunteers than traditional VBS programs, and since many women are working outside the home, that is a huge concern for churches. It would also be good for churches that have vacation church school in the evenings and must call on teachers who have other responsibilities during the day. A teacher-training video is provided.

Recognizing that vacation Bible schools often draw children who are not regular church attendees, the curriculum provides follow-up postcards and suggests phoning neighborhood kids who participated in the program.