VBS Tree House Mat...From Outrigger Island to Journey Off the Map

I wanted to put a mat in my Bible Study Tangled Branch Tree house.  I found a bamboo mat leftover from Outrigger Island VBS.  The blue color just looked too ocean-like when I put it up against the rest of my tree house decor.  I want to share with you a quick-fix to change your ocean mat into a tree house mat.

You can see the blue trim here in this picture.

I used a green burlap duck tape to trim the edges of the mat.  SO easy!

Ta-DA!

 

Here is my mat in my Tangled Branch Tree House Bible Study.  This was taken right before I led a conference on 1st/2nd grade Bible Study.  I'll have it set up a little differently when I teach VBS.

VBS Institute 2015: Journey off the Map!

   Last week I had an amazing time at VBSI--Vacation Bible School Institute.  Even though it was in the teens outside in the mountains of North Carolina--inside was full of bright ideas, lots of VBS geeks and an excitement to teach children about God's love this summer as we take a "Journey off the Map" and learn to walk God's way!  Below you'll find just a few of the scenes from around VBSI.  There was non-stop training and activity.  I wish I had had more time to go everywhere and see everything, but I think you'll be inspired:

Craft table.  I loved the idea of cutting the longer Journey Off the Map plastic tablecloths and putting them over an orange (or brown) plasic tablecloth.  Very colorful and welcoming for children!  I'll be teaching crafts this year for the State Team...so LOTS of craft pics to come!!

This is the back of the "shop" where you could purchase t-shirts and all kinds of VBS swag.  LOVED the idea of posters on pallets and the ferns placed around it are just perfect...and super easy!!

Shady Grove Crafts.  I'm thinking about making these flowers.  Couldn't be easier.  Pool noodles on a plunger with snack trays!

Decorating Made Easy with Mr. Mark.  Go Mr. Mark's Classroom for full instructions.

More from Mr. Mark!

I think this is my all time favorite!  Tree houses made from upside down card tables and the bridge from empty fabric bolts!  Mr. Mark is awesome!

     I enjoyed my weekend so very much.  I learned a lot about HOW to do VBS.  But the best part? Focusing lots of time on the WHY we do VBS.  So inspiring.  May we never, ever forget WHY we do VBS.   We do it to reach children and their families with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That doesn't just happen.  We must be intentional.  Intentional about our outreach, follow-up and relationship building.  Will you help make a difference in the Kingdom through the wonderful gift of VBS this summer? 

Promoting VBS at Trunk-A-Treat

     Last year during a VBS clinic for Agency D3, I learned of a great idea about using Trunk-a-Treat as a creative way to promote your church's VBS.  (Last year's spy theme would have made a great trunk!)  The idea is simply to decorate your trunk in the theme of the upcoming VBS theme your church will participate in the upcoming summer.  Hand out "Save the Date" cards for your church's VBS. This year, I decided to try it! 

     Lifeway's VBS theme for this year is Journey Off the Map.  (Think Swiss Family Robinson.) There were no posters to be found, so I made my own with a transparency and overhead projector.  I covered my back seat with burlap, added tree branches and a walking stick.  Hanging from the van are fireflies.  We tried putting glow sticks inside, but it didn't show up too well.  I got the idea from Pinterest.  My dad had made a really cool shellacked stump, so that is what the candy is sitting on.  We handed out invitations for our VBS coming this summer.  

 

As a bonus....now I've got props ready for the VBS clinics I'll be teaching this winter/spring as well as for my VBS classroom!

Blog Post Find of the Day (hint: It's about VBS!)

     I've been at a church leadership training conference all weekend, so I've got preschool/children's Sunday School, VBS and the like on the brain...so how fitting to find this blog post in my inbox when I got home: 5 Things VBS is That Other Ministries are Usually Not.  Great article.  I'm with Shane Garrison--if your church did not do VBS this summer, start planning for next year.  There's nothing quite like it! 

Agency D3 VBS Snapshots

     I had grand plans of sharing lots and lots of pictures from our church's VBS...but, alas the week is gone and I just have a few snapshots.  Time sure does fly when your are teaching VBS!  I had a great week teaching 1st and 2nd  grade boys.  I had 8 in my class--they were fantastic! 

My youngest having fun after VBS...a little goofing around before skit practice begins!

Painting with watercolors to find the secret message.

A=Admit, B=Believe, C=Confess

Reading the reverse Bible verse with a mirror.  They loved doing this....this activity lasted a lot longer than I expected, and went a long way to helping them memorize 1 Peter 3:15.

Working with a friend.

My goofy spy kids! 

My preacher husband getting the pie-in-the-face since the girls won the mission challenge!  (Compliments of our Children's Director!)

Agency D3: My classroom and 3 VBS Pinterest Boards

     I've been directing VBS for the past 4 years, so this is my first time to teach VBS since Boomerang Express.  I had a lot of fun getting my room ready for my 1st and 2nd grade boys.  (I think boys will especially like this fun spy theme!) Can't wait to get the week started as we examine all the evidence and learn the truth about Jesus!!

I used silver wrapping paper for the door.

Thankful that my sons went through a "spy" phase...and that they saved all the gadgets!

An old laptop...the "screen" is printable from the director's cdrom.  I plan to change the screen each day.

An old "briefcase" I found.  I just added the D3 emblem.  Probably my favorite prop.

So awesome that I already had these "evidence" boxes leftover from our move!

Had to add some mustaches around...I could have gone crazy with those! 

My "I heart VBS" from the Big Apple Adventure VBS.  It's a keeper! 

    

 For those of you who are currently working on Agency D3, another VBS theme or preparing for next year's VBS...here are 3 of my VBS Pinterest Boards: 

Agency D3 VBS

I Heart VBS

VBS 2015: Journey off the Map

VBS Clinic 2014 (Agency D3)

     Last night was our association's VBS training.  We had over 200 teachers, directors and pastors attend!  (And 25 attend from my church!) It was a great night of fellowship, excitement and learning.  If you are doing Lifeway Agency D3 in your church, perhaps these pictures will inspire you! 

I mustache you a question, but I'll shave it for later. I have to say, I'm excited to have an excuse to decorate with mustaches!  (I even saw mustache duct tape being used last night!) 

I co-lead the director's training.  This table is all I had time to take a picture of.  This was an extra display area. My boys helped with it.  They had so much fun dragging out all their old spy gear/gadgets from years ago.  (When they really thought they were spies!)  The bigger pieces were made by someone else, but the gadgets are just scattered around the table.)

Who has a lava lamp?  Perfect for Agency D3!

Entrance to the Craft Lab. 

Displayed on the table in our room.  I used black sheets for tablecloths.

Undercover Spy Watches.  These are Lifeway Craft Packs.  I had fun making these.  By the 3rd or 4th one, I finally figured out the best way!  We used these in the training for discovering the 6 steps to recruiting and training workers.

If you are planning to make these watches, I highly recommend Glue Dots!  (They are not included in the pack.)

Evidence Boxes

Something as simple as small memo tablets.  Goes with the theme, can be used in the classroom, and adds color!

The spy glasses are going to be so much fun! (One tip: leave them off when teaching children.  Eye contact is so important!!)

Last year, I wish I had bought stock in swim noodles.  This year it's manilla envelopes!

The investigation tape as a table runner...I like it!

Brilliant idea when you don't have time to decorate everything!

Fun revolving "siren" light!  (No sound)

Glow sticks in upside down jars...brilliant and easy!

Just a thought.....

     I have noticed some pins on Pinterest showing ideas for making "bombs" for the Agency D3 Theme.  This doesn't seem like the best idea to me. There are so many other fun ideas...why have something that could strike fear in the heart of a child?  If you want to try out those "cute" ideas at your child's spy birthday party, go for it.  I just think we need to avoid it in our churches.   (A Good alternative is to make "rocket packs" that look like Rocket Pack Jack from the daily movie.)

Yes to VBS! ~~2013~~

    Last night concluded another FABULOUS week of VBS!  I have been all about "Colossal Coaster World" since November when I attended my first meeting to be part of the VBS State Team.  Every minute was worth it!  I rejoice to report we witnessed 4 children receive Christ!  Praise the Lord!

 

 

Foyer decoration

 

 

4-year-olds room

 

 

5-year-olds room
Love the ceiling!!

Kindergarten!  Fun!!

What a clever class sign!  (4-year-olds)

Colorful entrance!

Who wouldn't want to attend Bible Study here?

Missions Expo!  (My hubby's class...had fun hanging the parachute from the ceiling!)

 

Main Gate~Worship Rally

The Apostle Paul (for the week!)  and my assnt. director. 

Awesome helpers!

Me on the last night...we had a photo booth! 

 

 

Who's gonna get the pie?  ME! (But in this picture I don't know it yet!  I think my hubby looks worried...ha!!)   The Apostle Paul had the honor of telling the missions totals for the week.  The boys raised the most!  It was gross--but glad to do it for missions!