VBS Ideas, Anybody?

[Pickles]

I have volunteered to help with my church Vacation Bible School in August. We recently joined this church, and VBS will be my first clowning endeavor with this church. The lady in charge of VBS has even ordered a "circus" curriculum to tie in with my clowning. (talk about pressure!)

As I've mentioned on Clown Forum before, I am really hoping that Pickles the Clown can play an integral role in the church ministry, hopefully eventually launching a clown ministry, puppet ministry, etc.

So I sincerely want to do a good -- no, great -- job with VBS. We haven't had any planning meetings yet, so I'm not really sure what they want my role to be at VBS, only that they want me there every night.

I'm gathering ideas and would love to hear about how you all have contributed to your church Bible School programs. All ideas will be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!

[Luki Loki]

Can you do the "Jonah and the Whale balloon routine? In it the balloon whale has Jonah in its belly and then spits him out just as in the Bible.

[Jolly Well]

Outreach Ideas - Pickle Night


Also some other resources for VBS crafts and activities there... Not so much "circus" but some puppetry stuff (and the pickle activities)

[Pickles]

Luki: Is there a written routine w/ patter for the "Jonah & Whale"?

Jolly Well: The "Outreach Ideas" were great. Somehow, I have a feeling that these pickle activities will come in handy. If not for VBS, definitely later. Seriously -- Pickle Plunge, Pickle-Eating Contest, Pickle Relay -- what's not to like? This may be the best discovery since the yodeling pickle and the book "101 Pickle Jokes"!

[Ty-Me]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Luki: Is there a written routine w/ patter for the "Jonah & Whale"?

Pickles
Ralph Dewey Gospil balloons #3 has the written routian in it.

[Scruffy]

What is the Curriculum theme? I would look at the curriculum for the VBS, and Go from there. The thing to do might to "Host" the Bible School, Or go the each class room at the right time and do an object lesson that ties in with the central theme of the program.
Above and beyond ALL else? Empty yourself and allow God to work through you and to use you to communicate the Gospel.
Cheers, and above all, prayers.
Scruffy

[Waldo]

Pickles,

I just did VBS for a few years with great success. Sometimes the VBS material already has activities for the opening and/or closing that you can modify. Check and see if they have ordered a puppet as well, as he can be useful.

Personnally, I like to look at the lessons for the evening and then write a simple routine to match the material. I usually have someone play the puppet while I handle the clown duties. If the other person has the puppet, they can have a script and then only you have to know the line. If you wrote then, it will be easier to remember.

For the first night, I come in and do an introduction of what we are going to do, based on the theme. For example, the puppet could be Mr Barnum the circus owner and you are coming to work at the circus, he can then tell you what things you are going to do that week (lessons, games, crafts, music) and then talk about the first lesson. I have the clown mess up the point of the lesson and have the puppet be the straight man and get you back on track.

During the evening then I usually help out with the music or sometimes they have a science activity and I help out with that instead. I also do balloons for everybody, about 40 a night and will make up some in advance. These are only one balloon animals or you will be there all night. You can also do walk around gags as well.

You will do fine, kids are kids and will have fun with you as you have fun with them. Be prepared for some that will be afraid, but that just goes with the territory. I have complete faith and confidence you will do well.

[saphireSue]

Our VBS is the Hawiann [sp] themed one that Lifeway is putting out this year. Usually there are packets for each class with ideas for the lessons, If you can look throught them and see which lessions they are using this could help plan some illisions or mini skits that will go along with the program. If you can list some, we could brain storm.

[Luki Loki]

[quote=Pickles;47241]Luki: Is there a written routine w/ patter for the "Jonah & Whale"?

I don't have patter for it, I just tell the story as it is in the Bible as I twist it. The routing consists of making a bubble and stuffing it in the clear 260 and popping it off so it is inside. Tie off the end and Jonah has been swallowed.

Next keep Jonah in the main section of the balloon and twist a simple fish like the support ribbons. Work Jonah up to the mouth area and twist a bubble around him with a few twists through the body to get a friction tie for the original fish.

Pop the mouth and Jonah flies out and the fish remains whole.

I think I saw the routine at a GOT balloon jam. I rarely use it since I am not a ministry clown. but if I get someone who seems like they are concerned how Jesus might look at balloon art I break it out to rave reviews.

Practice it a LOT as it can be persnickety.

[Mr. Dazzle]

So Pickles... How did VBS go???