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 “I Want Your Autograph” or “Have you Ever?” from the Games Leader Guide.
- Hand out a program overview.
- Run through a sample VBS Day.
- Give an overview of the themes and virtues of each day.
- Play the action song video Radical Ride and have everyone join in the actions.
- Encourage your leaders to listen to the VBS songs at home before the week starts.
- 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.
Dealing with Emergencies
- Have a few first aid kits available.
- Have the registration forms accessible for each child’s parent contact information.
- Be sure to note allergies or medical conditions of children reported on registration forms. Make sure snack leaders are aware of any food allergies.
- Make a fire evacuation plan and make sure everyone is aware of it. Discuss the procedure on the first day during the opening assembly.
- For the safety of all children, ensure that each child is signed in when they are dropped off and signed out at the end of each day.
