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JSchaaf
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| Posted: May 23 2005 at 8:04pm | IP Logged
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I just returned from a VBS planning meeting at our parish. VBS was supposed to start June 6th and this was our first meeting and the director had planned for us to pull it all together ourselves and not use a purchased program! What a mess! So the decision was made to postpone VBS until the end of June AND use a purchased curriculum-which to me seems a whole lot easier than putting it together ourselves. I filled out the registration forms for my older two (5.5 and 4.5) and where it said grade level completed I put K since we just finished Horizons Math K and a K phonics workbook. I explained to the director that we homeschooled and my kids really didn't have a grade level. She wanted to know what grade they would be in "in the eyes of the law" (her exact words) I explained that neither of them were legal K age until next fall at the earliest. "Well, I don't think they will be able to attend unless they are with you the entire time" I tried to explain that my girls were very excited about VBS and would not be willing to stay with me at my assigned center and not participate with the other children. So she is going to speak with the Deacon to see if this can be permitted since I will be in the building the entire time. So I filled out the registration forms and she said to hold off on the check until she had cleared things with the deacon. Check??? They're charging $35 a child for VBS! Even for volunteers!! Is this normal? I grew up Protestant, and went to VBS every summer and there never was a fee! So we discussed the differences between Catholic and Protestant VBS-Protestant's are using VBS as an outreach ministry to reach kids and families who otherwise might not know the gospel, as well as an education for the kids in their congregation. (it was implied that this was a bad thing) while Catholic VBS was a "summer RE" program just for kids in the parish, although they will let out of parish kids attend for an additional fee.
AND THEN-we review the curriculum. It is evangelical Protestant through and through! Even has the kids each day going through the "five steps to salvation" and there's a place at the end of each day during the closing for an "altar call". So I point out my concerns about this and ask if there is anyway we will "Catholicize" it. No, can't do that. But Father has to look at the program before it's approved for use anyway. Ok, so we're in a planning meeting for a VBS curriculum that has already been purchased but has yet to be approved.???
So, long story short-I am sending my girls to the VBS at First Baptist-which includes 4 year olds and is free. However, I am still willing to volunteer at our VBS if they are willing to let my children attend. Thanks for listening. Any encouragement will be appreciated as I am very frustrated right now.
Jennifer
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Kelly
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| Posted: May 23 2005 at 11:39pm | IP Logged
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OH Jennifer, how frustrating! I know, growing up, every kid on the block, Protestant, Catholic or Jew, attended at least one week of VBS at whatever Protestant Church was offering it, and it was always free, and always fun.
Our experience with VBS has been extremely disappointing, too, though not as frustrating as yours (at least the RE director didn't chase us away)...but the program was the EXACT same program that all the local Protestant Churches were using. Some Evangelical VBS Company out there is profiting nicely off of these summer camp plans! When I mentioned my concerns about the Catholic VBS program being rather, no,make that extremely Protestant in nature, the VBS folks insisted that they say the Our Father and a Hail Mary or something at each session. Oh, THAT makes it Catholic, I see!  I did see that CHC has a Catholic VBS program that I need to send the info to our parish, but they are pretty committed to the Big Song and Dance Routine that this other VBS program provides every year. Sigh. My other complaint was that for any VBS parent to help out in any way, they must first be fingerprinted. I understand the rationale, I really do, but I couldn't HELP but feel like I should dress up in a striped suit and wear a ball and chain over to sign up. Double Sigh.
Kelly
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Michaela
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| Posted: June 23 2005 at 2:59pm | IP Logged
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JSchaaf wrote:
| They're charging $35 a child for VBS! Even for volunteers!! Is this normal? I grew up Protestant, and went to VBS every summer and there never was a fee! So we discussed the differences between Catholic and Protestant VBS- |
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I know you posted this a month ago, but I'm wondering how has this played out?
Our church is charging $65 per child.  Outta my price range for a five day program for my three children.
I've been invited to attend a free VBS at a Baptist church. My friends who are Catholic and Lutheran are going. I really don't understand it all (questioning myself...should I or shouldn't I & why or why not)
So, how did this turn out for you, Jennifer?
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: June 26 2005 at 12:18pm | IP Logged
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K4J (Kids for Jesus) has a wonderful Catholic VBS. It is very polished and fun, even has a soundtrack of the songs the children learn. After years of Catholicizing a Protestant VBS, my children went to the Catholic one last year and came home singing about Mary and the Holy Spirit.
http://www.catholickidsnet.org/vbs.aspx
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 28 2005 at 1:23pm | IP Logged
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My children were invited as *guests* to attend our very best friends VBS at a Calvary Bible Church. It was very well organized and a great theme, all based on the Our Father.
That said, it was definately focused on *saving* children of other faiths which was a tiny bit offensive if you KWIM . I will say that my kids were mature enough to not get caught up in it but I did see some very interesting attempts to get other children to accept Jesus at "their personal Lord and Savior", you know the scoop.
On a side note, our parish is hosting a VBS along with the Episcopal church across the street this week and are charging $35/child as well. It's a River rafting theme and sounds awesome, our Parish On site Leader is phenominal. We're going to *drop by* and check it out tomorrow and hope it goes well.
I am curious too Jennifer how things worked out for you??? Do tell, please 
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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: July 01 2005 at 6:57pm | IP Logged
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I am sorry for you as well, Jennifer!
We just completed a VBS and it was awesome and totally Catholic!!! The organizers used Volume #4 The Mass Comes Alive from the Cat.Chat series. I think they took the CD and then "made" the rest of the program, which would be a lot of work! But it was worth it!! Even the 4 year olds, which I was the leader of a small group of, were learning about the true presence, the tabernacle, parts of the Church, parts of the Mass, etc., etc.
We'd start the day together (200 kids, and about 100 parent and teen volunteers!) by singing (lots of hand motions), praying, reciting the Bible passage for the day, and watching a skit - all centered around the Mass. Then we'd rotate through stations of craft, lession, music, snack, and outside games. We sang more songs and said the Anima Christi at the close of each day. And, the week ended with Mass with the parents.
The cost was $25.00 for each child (after 3 children, the rest were free.) This included a CD for each family, T-shirts, and super handouts each day like Fr. Lovasik's Receiving Holy Communion, Jimmy Akin's Mass Appeal, and Catholic Answer's Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth booklets!! One per family!
What else can I share? Can you tell I was impressed!!! Tired, but impressed!
You can order the CDs at The Mass Comes Alive, vol. 4 or Ascension Press
Volumes 1-3 are about Mary, Jesus, Angels/Saints.
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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Marybeth
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| Posted: July 01 2005 at 7:12pm | IP Logged
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We love Cat Chat. I heard about it last fall at a Catholic Family Conference. What a great idea to base your VBS around their cd.
I thought the give aways were wonderful.
What an awesome parish!!
Marybeth
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: July 01 2005 at 7:45pm | IP Logged
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Well, my older two went to VBS at First Baptist here in town. And had a wonderful time! I ended up not volunteering at all for our parish's VBS...I had to miss one planning meeting and then I think I was "dropped" from the volunteer roster!! I'm already "wierd" because we homeschool, I think. Next year I will approach the DRE/Deacon about VBS early in the year and volunteer my services. I'm making notes about the Catholic versions of VBS to have for next spring. So...we'll see how next year goes!
Jennifer
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MaryM
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| Posted: July 11 2005 at 3:31pm | IP Logged
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Last week's National Catholic Register had a story on Catholic VBS (Faith Based Fun in the Summer Sun). In addition to some of the programs already mentioned in this forum it had one from Liguori Publications
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Molly Smith
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| Posted: July 11 2005 at 6:15pm | IP Logged
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My three olders went to VBS at our parish last week and loved it. It was the first time we've participated. It was only $15 per child, $30 max per family and that included a t-shirt for each child and all the snacks and crafts. I thought it was an excellent deal. The theme was Serengeti Trek and the soundtrack is so much fun! It is definitely upbeat/pop/rock. We were all very happy. I haven't looked at the website, but here it is.
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Molly Smith in VA
Mom to seven beautiful children, ages 1-14
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Marybeth
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| Posted: July 11 2005 at 10:07pm | IP Logged
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Oh, I so wish our parish had a VBS. What a wonderful time the children must have!
Marybeth
PS Maybe I can try to help organize one for next year. Am I crazy??
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Vacation Bible School rant
