Backyard Bible Clubs 2012...

Our church just completed our first "Backyard Bible Clubs" this summer.  Backyard Bible Clubs is like a Vacation Bible School but instead of having it at church you host them in people's homes.  We had four clubs this year and 40 kids that participated.  We had about 10 families participate that don't go to our church.  It was a wonderful week full of games, crafts, music, skits, bible lessons, and free play with friends.  I have helped with a lot of Vacation Bible Schools and I have to say although this was a lot of work (since I directed, hosted and taught) it was by far the best I have ever participated in.  We had about 10-12 kids in each club so it was very personal and intimate.  I felt like we really got to know the kids and were able to really share the gospel with them.  We had one family compare it to a mega church VBS and said it had all that a mega church VBS would have but on a much more personal level and she preferred ours.  I was extremely exhausted after the program was over, but I have to say it was very fulfilling to see how God worked throughout the week and through the relationships we developed with our neighbors.  At the end of the week, the older kids were already asking what the theme for next year would be and could they be in the skits. :)  

 We have a very talented member in our church that made all the staging for the skits. 

 Riley played "Terry Turtle" in the skits and Regan was the "Race Director"

 Praising God in music...

We did an activity where we strung string all over the yard and a prize was attached to the end of the string.  The kids had to stay in a line and follow the string which represented the "One Way, Jesus".  If they got ahead or went their own way they got tangled up in the string, lost or even hurt.  It was a great lesson to show them what happens when we try to go our own way and not follow Jesus. 

 Riley is handing out compasses to all the kids to remind them that just as a compass helps us when we are lost, Jesus helps us when we are lost in sin.

 Riley helping the kids with their crafts.

 This was a stained glass craft we made.

 Obstacle Course...

 Music time...

 Regan played the part of the sly "Sidney Snake" in one of the skits.

 Riley was a great helper with this sweet, shy girl.

 My helpers, Cathy and Leilani. 

 Our sweet group of K-2nd graders.

Making Cross Necklaces...

 The children made "Candy Trains" to remind them to stay on track.

 The children doing an experiment to learn about the Holy Spirit.  We were showing the kids how to fill up a bag with air and then pop it, and eventhough you can't see the air, it is there and powerful.  The kids loved this activity.

The kids doing a breathing activity to feel how their lungs are working.

Prayer time...

 The last day we had a water day.  I filled up over 100 water balloons. 

 Having a water balloon fight.  This was great fun!

We found that throwing the balloons did not get the kids wet b/c they would bounce off them and then break on the ground.  So, I started to break the balloons over the kids heads.  They thought this was very funny.

 Playing "Wet, Wet, Dry" with a wet sponge.  It is like "Duck, Duck, Goose" but you use a wet sponge and squeeze it over the person's head you end up selecting.  The kids really enjoyed this game.

Ending the hot day with popsicles.