Training Your Leaders
A training session is an excellent way to overview the VBS program with your volunteers.
- Start with a prayer. Emphasize the importance of spending time in prayer as they prepare for the week of VBS.
- Allow enough time for introductions.
- Have everyone introduce themselves and share something fun about their summer holidays. Play an ice breaker game to help everyone get to know each other. (We suggest you use a game from the Games Guide)
- Hand out a tentative program overview and schedule.
- Give an overview of the themes and virtues of each day.
- Run through a sample VBS Day.
- Play the theme song video Champion For Christ and have everyone learn and participate in the actions.
- Give all your leaders access to the My VBS website so they can preview their station material and get familiarized with the music. You can also purchase physical copies of the Music CD or Action Song DVD.
- Explain emergency procedures and fire evacuation plan.
- Have a question and answer period.
- Give station leaders time to meet with their volunteers to organize and prepare their lesson plans.
- Have the skit team practice the skits and distribute the roles for each day.
- Begin decoration prep (ex. group banners).
- End with a prayer.
- Offer snacks and refreshments.
