Now You Can Have The Best Vacation Bible School Ever

Ellison Research recently reported that most churches (70%) rely on Vacation Bible School for community outreach. Since it is time to start planning, I put together this list of web resources that will help you have your best VBS ever.

Use Basecamp to get your entire team on the same page

Basecamp allows you to get your whole team on the same page and eliminate miscommunication. Basecamp allows you to upload files (like schedules or release forms), post messages and attach comments, create milestones (calendar events), to do lists and assign all tasks to specific people. This tool should be the place where everything is discussed, logged and validated. So if anyone has a question, they can consult your Basecamp page.

37 Signals offers Basecamp free to manage one project or $12/mo for up to 3 projects.

Create a Skype “Hotline”

Skype is a VoIP (voice over IP) service that lets you use your computer to make real phone calls. A great idea for Skype is to use it to create a “Hotline” for the latest VBS information. Get a Skype In number and sign up for voicemail.

To create your hotline, customize your voicemail message to provide callers with VBS information: like times, places, cost and your web site address. Callers can also leave a voicemail message; during the event you can forward your Skype In number to your mobile phone.

Publish a Free VBS Blog

Visit WordPress and register for a free blog. WordPress is by far the best and most used blogging platform. Get your blog online in seconds then use the power of blogging and RSS feeds to promote and plan your VBS.

Raise Money for a Scholarship Fund with FirstGiving

FirstGiving allows your most passionate supporters to raise money to support your VBS. Not every family can afford to send their kids to VBS, so use FirstGiving to raise funds for scholarships. This site allows your supporters to create their own fund-raising initiatives.

Communicate via Email with Google Groups

Google Groups is a great tool to manage an email list. This service will allow all your parents and team members to be contacted by sending one email to the list.

Get images and graphics from iStockphoto

The coolest secret of designers everywhere is iStockphoto where you can buy images and vector graphics from $1-$10. It is high quality, great stuff.

Train your team remotely using YouTube

Set up your video camera and record 2:30 minute training videos for your team and post them to YouTube. If you start now, you will build an amazing video library of training resources.

Your ideas

Enough of my ideas, what do you think? Post your comments below.