You don’t have to serve in VBS for long to see the workload that volunteers carry to pull off the details both great and small. Showing appreciation before, during, and after your VBS experience can go a long way in valuing your team, celebrating wins, and can help with retaining volunteers for next summer!
Before VBS:
Host a kick-off party for your volunteers to decorate their classrooms. Serve special-themed snacks, do some fun giveaways (like VBS survival kits), give each team time to connect and pray for their kids by name. On a simpler note, have a drop-in party where volunteers stop in for snacks, and walk through the VBS space to pray for the week.
During VBS:
Provide a leader-only space to grab snacks throughout the day. Hang up a “shout-out” board for leaders to encourage each other during the week. Some of the best friends are made hanging out at VBS! Your older adults’ groups may love to provide the food and even the awesome service. Set up a photo booth for volunteers (especially your student leaders) to take pictures and capture the memory of VBS. Download “shout-out” award printable here.
After VBS:
Make it easy on your volunteers and have them drop by for donuts and coffee on the Sunday after VBS! Wear themed T-shirts and celebrate with the whole church. Set up a video shoot to get testimonies from volunteers about their experience serving at VBS. Use this content to help with your recruitment next year!
Announcing the ETCH 2025 Theme
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