Vacation Bible School
VBS at Oakwood Baptist is a 5-day fun-filled event each year for children ages 4-years old to 5th grade. It's filled with Bible lessons, science, fun games, missions, worship, and snacks! Our volunteers work hard to demonstrate and teach God's love for us!
June 23 - June 27, 2024
6-9pm
2024 VBS REGISTRATION (OPENS MAY 1)
The Great Jungle Journey VBS 2024
(Ages: 4 yrs. old-5th Grade)
Listen! Can you hear the howler monkey screeching and insects buzzing? Look! Do you see a sloth hanging from a tree and a jaguar crouching, ready to pounce? Smell! Is that the aroma of tropical flowers wafting through the air? Touch! Do you feel soft grass under your feet and gentle rain on your skin? Taste! Is that delicious milk from a coconut and exotic spices from the rainforest?
Join us in a world of wonder that will delight our senses while captivating our hearts and minds at The Great Jungle Journey: An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation. We will cruise through jungle rivers, making stops at seven ports of call along the way - each starting with a C. These represent seven key biblical events - the 7 C's of History.
Day 1: Creation – The first C takes us back to the beginning of time and the creation of the universe when it was all good. Did the universe start with a big bang, or did God create it?
Day 2: Corruption and Catastrophe – Next, Adam sinned, which affected his descendants who were so wicked that God sent a global flood for judgement for their sins.
Day 3: Confusion – The fourth C checks out the events that began at the tower of Babel. Can this be where all the people groups originated from?
Day 4: Christ and the Cross – At these stops, we realize once again that man is sinful and needs a Savior. Hallelujah, God provides one in his Son!
Day 5: Consummation – The last C shows the thrilling conclusion to history when all goes back to very good again, and - best news ever - God wins against sin and Satan!
1. Rain or Shine Bible Time - where God's Word is taught in creative, hands-on ways.
2. Tree-mendous Science and Crafts - kids make jazzy jungle crafts and explore God's amazing world with science experiments.
3. Canopy Café Snacks - kids go bananas, munching on tropical treats and eats.
4. Rainforest Recreation - kids rumble in the jungle with some wild, and possibly wet, games.
Finally, everyone heads back to the Jungle Jam Assembly for the closing, where there's more singing, contest results, and our daily animal pal!
So prepare to swing into the fun as we head out on our jungle river cruise. See you in the rainforest!
Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions about Vacation Bible School...
- What age is our VBS for?
This year, VBS is for children who are four years old (as of June 2024) through rising 5th grade.
- What if my child just finished 5th grade?
We understand some rising 6th graders will want to attend VBS and we are happy for them to attend. Since we group the children by age, they will be placed in a group with other similar age children.
- What should my child wear?
Casual attire is best, such as t-shirts and shorts, with close-toed shoes (tennis shoes preferred). Your child will be playing games in the gym or outside, if the weather permits, so they will need to be comfortably dressed. Also, sometimes crafts can get a little messy, so they need to wear something that you don't mind getting dirty.
- What time should I bring my child?
Come early on Sunday. Since it's the first day, it usually takes a little longer to get everyone checked in. For Monday - Thursday, we recommend arriving 15-20 minutes before VBS begins, so your child(ren) don't miss any of the opening assembly. VBS begins at 6pm each day.
- How do I drop off and pick up my child?
You will come in through the lobby and check-in your child at the Welcome Center to obtain their nametag. For pick-up be sure you know your safety word/phrase or have the label with the code that matches your child's name tag for the day.
- What if someone other than me is picking up my child?
Please tell your child's Group Leader who will be picking up your child. Also, please be sure that parent/guardian knows your safety word/phrase or has the label with the code that matches your child's name tag for the day.
- Can my child be in a group with a friend?
We will try to honor requests for your child to be with their friends. All our games, crafts, and lessons are geared towards specific ages, so if there is a large age gap between children (more than one grade) we would ask that your child stays in their age-appropriate group.
- What is VBS Celebration Sunday?
The Sunday after VBS, all the children and their families/friends are invited back to our church service that begins at 10:30AM. The entire service is focused on VBS! We provide a recap of the science and bible lessons the children learned, along with getting to come on stage to help sing the VBS songs they enjoyed all week. We hope you will join us for a morning of fun!
2023
With Keepers of the Kingdom, our kids learned how they can be part of God’s kingdom through salvation in his Son and be equipped with the armor of God to become Keepers of the Kingdom who stand strong in today’s battle for truth!
Day 1: The Two Kingdoms – We discovered that there are just two kingdoms—the kingdom of light versus the kingdom of darkness. One is ruled by the good King, Creator God. The other is ruled by the enemy, Satan.
Day 2: The Belt – We must decide our side. Those who become citizens of God’s good kingdom need to wear the armor of God daily, starting with the belt of truth that helps us have an unshakable trust in God’s Word, and live as truthful people.
Day 3: The Breastplate and Shoes – The breastplate helps God’s children put on Christ’s righteousness and grow in right living. The shoes show us we can be at peace with God, which helps us stand firm in our Christian convictions and share Jesus with others.
Day 4: The Shield and Helmet – The shield and helmet protect us from the enemy’s attacks—wrong thinking, discouragement, and deception. We learned to discern!
Day 5: The Sword and Prayer – The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, which helps us train our brains to know, memorize, love, and obey God’s Word. And as we battle, we must pray!
2022
At Zoomerang, our kids marveled at the unforgettable wildlife, culture, and beauty of Australia while exploring the wonder and value of life, from the lives of preborn babies to eternal life in the kingdom of God.
Day 1: The Beginning of Life—As we explored the Genesis account that describes the creation of man and woman, we found that people didn’t evolve from apemen. Instead, we discovered that Jesus is the Author of Life.
Day 2: The Wonder of Life—We checked out the words of King David who expressed the wonder of being formed by God even before he was born. As we looked at the special design features of our bodies, we learned that we’re fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image.
Day 3: The Value of Life—The book of Matthew tells the account of Jesus’ birth and the subsequent murder of Bethlehem’s baby boys. As we looked at this passage, we discovered that God wants us to protect and respect all life—no matter how old, young, smart, or physically fit someone is. Every life is precious to God!
Day 4: Eternal Life—As we explored the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we saw there is only one way to have eternal life with God—through believing in his Son.
Day 5: Using Your Life—When Jesus ascended into heaven, he left his followers with an important mission. We took a closer look at the truth that we are created for a reason—to glorify God through the good works he has prepared for us to do.
2021
Kids gained a better understanding of our awe-inspiring Creator God and the salvation he offers through Jesus Christ! They discovered who God is by studying his attributes as they looked to the only source of truth, God’s Word.
Day 1: God is GREAT! - As we stopped in Acts 17 and found a city full of idols, we hunted for clues about our great God and discovered we must have the right view of him. We can’t make up a god of our own choosing.
Day 2: God is ALMIGHTY! - Our mighty God knows everything, is everywhere, and has the power to do anything. As we studied the account of Jonah, we focused on the three big O's of God—his omniscience, his omnipotence, and his omnipresence.
Day 3: God is RULER! - We checked in with Isaiah and realized God is not like us. Our minds were blown away by his vastness, beauty, and holiness.
Day 4: God is EMMANUEL! - God is high and mighty, Lord of all creation. And yet, he also came to earth (Emmanuel means “God with us”) and desires a relationship with the people he has made. He is good and he loves us.
Day 5: God is TRUSTWORTHY! - With the account of David, we learned that God is great, God is good, and God is perfect in all things, so we can trust him with our lives. He is our rock.