How to Plan VBS (From a Director of 13 Years) | Budget, Volunteers, Snacks & Systems

Vacation Bible School planning can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time VBS directors. In this video, a children's ministry leader with 13 years of experience shares practical tips for planning VBS, recruiting volunteers, budgeting, fundraising, and organizing a successful Vacation Bible School program. In this conversation, I sit down with Kaci Jumper, a children's ministry leader who has directed VBS for 13 years, to talk about the real systems that make VBS successful. We cover everything from choosing a VBS theme to recruiting volunteers, budgeting, fundraising, snacks, and outreach strategies that actually connect with families. If you're a children’s ministry leader, VBS director, or church volunteer, this episode will give you practical ideas you can start using right away. You’ll learn: • How to choose the right VBS curriculum • The budgeting formula for estimating attendance • Volunteer recruiting strategies that actually work • Fundraising ideas (including a simple $5,000 envelope fundraiser) • Creating a VBS volunteer handbook • Snack ideas that work for allergies and large groups • How to involve parents and reach new families • Prayer strategies that spiritually cover your entire team Kaci also shares the systems she’s developed after over a decade of directing VBS, including leadership structure, youth volunteer placement, and how to reduce stress year after year. If you’re planning VBS this year, this conversation will save you time and help you build a stronger program. 👇 Resources mentioned in this video are linked below. VBS Volunteer Booklet: https://tikkidschurch.com/products/vbs-volunteer-booklet?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web ALL THE VBS GOODS THAT KACI MADE!!! https://tikkidschurch.com/search?q=VBS&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Connect with Hannah: Website: https://tikkidschurch.com YouTube: More children’s ministry resources and ideas 00:00 Intro 01:00 Meet Kaci – 13 Years of VBS Experience 02:16 How to Choose the Right VBS Theme 04:21 Changing Curriculum to Fit Your Theology 05:47 Writing Your Own VBS Curriculum 07:47 VBS Themes Kaci Has Used 10:01 The VBS Volunteer Handbook System 14:18 How VBS Planning Gets Easier Over Time 17:20 Building a VBS Budget 19:39 Estimating Attendance (Kaci’s Formula) 21:07 Should Churches Charge for VBS? 23:35 Easy VBS Fundraising Ideas 25:37 Amazon Wishlists for VBS Supplies 28:49 Snack Ideas for Large Groups 32:34 Why VBS Matters for Church Outreach 34:51 A Powerful Prayer Strategy for VBS 37:49 A Family Discipleship Class During VBS 46:23 How to Recruit VBS Leaders 51:16 Why the Youth Pastor Leads 5th Grade 53:06 How to Use Youth Volunteers Effectively 56:04 Final VBS Preparation Tips Topics covered in this video: VBS planning Vacation Bible School budgeting Recruiting volunteers for VBS VBS fundraising ideas Children’s ministry leadership Kids church volunteer training