Concordia Supply | Church Supplies, Church …...Recruiting & Training DVD and VBS PRO. 2. Create a desert-themed lounge for your volunteers. 3. Quickly get kids into Tribes using

Wilderness Guide2020 Holy Land Adventure VBS

TwistWith-A-

Training

1 Copyright © 2020 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be

reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher.

Greetings, VBS Groupie! Welcome, to Wilderness Escape VBS Training-With-A-Twist! No more wandering in the

wilderness when it comes to VBS! This Wilderness Guide is jam-packed with step-by-

step decorating instructions and other things for you to consider as you plan your VBS,

no matter what that may look like.

This year, the church has an opportunity to reach families like never before. Parents

will be looking for ways to engage their kids as social restrictions are lifted. We believe

VBS has the potential to be the greatest face-to-face event of the year!

Take a breath, pause, and pray. And don’t give up.

On page 3 and 4 in the Wilderness Guide, you’ll find an activity to complete with your

team, giving you three easy-steps on how to move forward with VBS in 2020. It may

need to look different, but we’ve given you some ideas on how to strategize and

adapt. We know how creative you are, and you’ll come up with even more ways!

We’ll be hosting VBS Training Q&A on Zoom, where you can get your VBS training

questions answered. Join our caravan for fast-moving hour of sharing practical ideas

that will blaze the trail to make your VBS a time for life transformation. You’ll get time

to network and make connections with other VBS leaders. During weeks of physical

distancing, this will be an uplifting encouraging time to remember you’re not in this

alone! If you’ve never Zoomed, it’s super easy and super fun! Check out the VBS

Training-With-A-Twist webpage to register. Plus, it’s FREE!

Be sure to check out all the goodies in the Wilderness Escape Resource Center at

Group.com/WildernessEscapeResourceCenter. Navigate the wilderness like a

pro with the tons of videos filled with practical tips and tricks to keep your VBS

moseying forward.

We’re thankful that this summer, fall or maybe even winter you’ll help kids explore

how God guides and provides during these uncertain times. You’ll lead kids to trust

God—not their own strength—in life’s challenges. And remember the team at Group

is with you every step of the way. Thank you for all the love and laughter you pour

into kids at VBS. You are our everyday God Sightings!

Blessings!

The Group VBS Team

2

After watching the “Caravan & Plan” video, gather your VBS Team on a phone call,

Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or FaceTime. Take some time to discuss the

questions below so you can focus on what matters most at your VBS. Remember to be as

specific as possible, so you can make the most of the time you have with kids.

What lasting image do we want to leave with kids who attend our VBS?

What are some ways to stretch our budget so we can focus on what matters most?

How can we use our time most effectively for maximum impact?

How can we provide student resources to kids, as a way to help families stay connected

with Jesus after VBS? (See page 22 and 23 for essential student resources.)

Relationships are the difference.

Tribe Leaders are key in developing lasting

relationships with the kids at your VBS.

How will you intentionally develop relationships

with your VBS volunteers, kids and parents?

Focus on what matters most.

FPO looking for new

image while do your

part.

2

3

There’s no doubt COVID-19 came in like a sandstorm and brought a thick haze of

uncertainty over our VBS plans, routines, and expectations. No one knows what the

coming months will look like, but with some planning, creativity, and faith you can

still do your part to make VBS happen—no matter what. Gather your VBS Team,

for where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name (even virtually) he is there with

them! (Matthew 18:20)

Here’s why we should trek forward:

} VBS is a time-tested, proven effective outreach strategy that reaches millions

of kids and families. We can still do VBS, it just may look a little different

this year!

} VBS provides the unique chance to connect with kids who may never set foot

inside your church any other time.

} Typically, 29% of the kids who go to VBS are not regular attenders of the

church hosting the program, and 22% don’t attend church at all! VBS is a key

opportunity to introduce kids to Jesus!

} With all the things that seem to be taking kids and families away from church, kids

are still free in the summer, and parents need stuff for kids to do. Especially now!

} “ VBS can be a critical way to reconnect with the kids and families in

your church over the summer, after many months without face-to-face

contact. Your relationships with kids and parents in your church need to

be maintained.”

“ Wilderness Escape explores how “God—guides and provides!” On the heels

of Covid-19, it will be so important and timely to reflect on how God sustains

us in challenging times. This year’s VBS will be important, not only for kids’

spiritual growth, but also their emotional health. It will give kids an opportunity

to express their feelings about the quarantine experience and to realize how

God was with them in those difficult moments.” —Dr. Joseph D. White, Child

Psychologist

Here’s how to trek forward:

1. PRAY

2. ADAPT

3. IMPLEMENT

Nothing can replace the face-to-face VBS experience, so we encourage you and

your team to not give up! God is up to something big this year and he’s counting

on us to keep trekking and do our part.

Choose three options or add your own creative ideas. Pray, then decide on

target dates for implementation. Begin by communicating to families and your

community. Adapt plans as needed based on the current situation.

Be Ready to adapt!

4

z

Trust God to Make VBS Happen in 2020

Although some are currently wandering in hopelessness and uncertainty, the “all things are possible

Jesus” guides us to be leaders for his kingdom. With God's power, we can rise to the challenge and

reach families like never before!

While we don’t have clear direction at this time, we do have faith that God

is our guide and we’ll reach our destination. Trust God!

We Want to Stick with a Traditional VBS Schedule

Stick with our current VBS date.Date:

Plan B Date (a future VBS date, still as a traditional

week-long program)

Date:

Plan C Date (multiple sites with smaller numbers of kids)Date:

We’ll decide about moving to Plan B or Plan C by Date:

Let’s Explore Some Alternative Schedules

1-day for 5 weeks Date:

Weekend VBSDate:

Back to School VBSDate:

Evening VBS (later summer or fall) Date:

Fall Break VBSDate:

Christmas Break VBSDate:

Use VBS material on Sunday mornings, evenings or

mid-week

Date:

Other Options Using Student Materials (Bible Memory Makers, Student Books, Marketplace Shop projects, and Music CDs)

Drive-Thru VBS (families pick up packet, parents lead the

activities with student resources)

Date:

Drive-In VBS (church led with families in cars, physically

distanced by parking spaces)

Date:

Backyard VBS (small groups of neighborhood kids led by

key VBS volunteers or parent)

Date:

Online VBS (live stream led by VBS church leaders) Date:

Other Date:

Implementing Our VBS Plan

Plan A

Plan B

Plan C

“For I can do everything through

Christ who gives me strength.”

—Philippians 4:13

Compare VBS PRO Free vs. Premium VBS PROD

AY

1

Today’s announcements:

Daily Schedule

& Announcements

Group A Group B Group C Group D

Time

BIBLE POINT God is with us, so…trust God!

BIBLE STORY The Israelites cross the Red Sea.

(Exodus 14:1–15:21)

Celebration Celebration Celebration Celebration

Tribe Time Tribe Time Tribe Time Tribe Time

Moses’ Tent Fun & Games

Visit Israelite Camp

Fun & Games Moses’ Tent

Visit Israelite Camp

Moses’ Tent Fun & Games

Fun & Games Moses’ Tent

Tribe Time Tribe Time Tribe Time Tribe Time

Celebration Celebration Celebration Celebration

Permission to photocopy this resource from Group’s Wilderness Escape VBS granted for local church use.

Copyright © 2014, 2020 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO. group.com/vbs

9:00-9:20 a.m.

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10:35-10:50 a.m.

10:55-11:15 a.m.

11:15-11:25 a.m.

9:35-9:50 a.m.

9:55-10:10 a.m.

New

features

for 2020

6

Premium ($34.99/yr)Basic (Free)

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Create VBS or non-VBS events year-round

Clone past event setup

Add custom registration fields

Online Payment Button for Paid Events

Create multiple sessions

One click auto crew assignment

Customize event reports

Registration Forms Available in Spanish

Mobile-friendly registration site

Save past event setup and data

Drag-n-drop volunteer assignment

Create multiple events

Drag-n-drop crew assignment

Export event data

Export Job Interests Report for Volunteers

Add custom registration website pages

New Friend Request Features in

“Auto-Build Crews”

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Compare VBS PRO Free vs. Premium VBS PRO

1. Utilize the volunteer tools included in your

Starter Kit—The Ultimate Director Go-To

Recruiting & Training DVD and VBS PRO.

2. Create a desert-themed lounge for your

volunteers.

3. Quickly get kids into Tribes using the auto-

assign feature in VBS PRO.

4. If you’re a digital native, use the

Wilderness Escape Ultimate Starter Kit PLUS

Digital Edition!

You will need:

1. Master Supply List

2. Station Leader resources

• Audio

• “Wilderness Sounds”— Day 1 Opening Celebration

• “Marching Army” sound effect— Day 3 Opening Celebration

• “Red Sea Wind” sound effect—Day 1 Moses’ Tent

• “Reflective Music,” “Passover Wind,” and “Egypt’s Sorrow”

sound effects—Day 4 Moses’ Tent

• Printables

• “Daily Dramas” for Opening Celebration—Days 1-5

• “Commands” handout for Fun & Games—Day 3

• “Ten Commandments Tablets” printouts for Moses’ Tent—Day 5

• Download the optional Daily Dramas booklet.

3. Decorating Places Supply Lists and Step-by-Step instructions.

Find these resources on your Wilderness Escape Clip Art &

Resources CD:

• Registration Form

• Tribe Rosters

• Daily Schedules

• Marketplace Shop Signs

• Operation Kid-to-Kid Flyers

• Parent Newsletters

• Evaluation Forms

• Publicity Helps

Download these

FREE resources at

group.com/vbsTools

to make your VBS the

best under the sun!

New

features

for 2020

Humphrey's Hints

77

Create a dazzling desert without draining the bank!

Tribe Sign

Supplies

Á tape measure

Á drill and drill bits

Á safety goggles

Á black spray paint

Á plastic gloves (optional; to protect hands while painting)

Á 40'' length of ½'' PVC pipe

Á PVC pipe cutters

Á 12''x12'' piece of ¾''-thick plywood

Á floor flange

Á male ½-inch PVC adapter

Á four ½-inch screws

Á 17''x22'' sheet of foam core

Á utility knife

Á dropcloth

Á pencil

Á two 7'' zip ties

Á Tribe signs (from the Tribe Name Posters* or Clip Art CD)

Spray paint the plywood, flange, and male adapter with black

spray paint.

Cut the PVC pipe to 40 inches, if necessary, using the PVC pipe

cutters.

Connect the flange and male adapter.

Use the drill and screws to attach the flange to the center of the

plywood.

Press the PVC pipe into the adapter.

Use the utility knife to poke two small holes the width of the PVC

pipe side by side near the top center of the foam core (about 2

inches from the top edge). Thread one zip tie through the holes.

Hold the foam core against the top of the PVC pipe and tighten

the zip tie around the PVC pipe to secure the foam core to the

PVC pipe.

Use the Crew signs from the Tribe Name Posters or the

Clip Art CD.

Be sure the male adapter

fits both the PVC pipe and

the floor flange.

Holy Land Hint

Find more decorating

ideas and videos at

group.com/vbsTools.

*Available at group.com or your VBS supplier

8

Create a dazzling desert without draining the bank! Palm Tree

Supplies

Á cutting mat

Á utility knife

Á 4'' diameter carpet tube, 8’ to 10’ long

Á tape measure

Á pencil

Á sand

Á rocks or gravel to hold tree upright

Á 5-gallon paint bucket for each tree

Á 40 brown paper lunch bags per tree

Á scissors

Á 4’ x 8’ sheet of cardboard

Á industrial hot glue gun and glue sticks

Á lengths of ½'' PVC pipe (six 3’ lengths per palm tree)

Á PVC pipe cutters

Á dropcloth

Á paint tray

Á paint roller


Á paper plate (to pour paint on)

Á paintbrush

Á heat gun

Á green paint

Á white paint

Á twelve 1½'' wood screws

Á drill and drill bit for pilot holes

Á black marker

Á sand

Á safety gloves

Á stapler (if not using a hot glue gun)

Á 24 zip ties, each 7'' (if using to attach leaves to PVC pipe)

Create branches

Cut PVC pipe into 3-foot lengths using PVC pipe cutters.

Use the heat gun to heat about 2 inches from one end of the PVC

pipe. When the pipe starts to get a little discolored, it’s getting

hot enough to bend. Bend at a 90-degree angle and

hold for three to five minutes or until it cools. Heat the

middle of the PVC pipe and create a small bend, then

hold until it cools. Repeat for a third time farther down

the PVC pipe; this is to help give the appearance of

a branch.

Although you’ll see we use

an industrial hot glue gun

in Decorating Places, we

found that zip ties work

even better and are easier

to work with.

Holy Land Hint

Use leftover paint from your

set build!

Holy Land Hint

Watch for the in the

instructions—this will alert

you to steps that need to

be done ahead of time.

9

Cut the cardboard into six equal pieces lengthwise. You need six

pieces, each 16 inches wide x 4 feet long.

Draw a simple palm leaf shape on each piece of cardboard, and

cut it out.

Notch small triangle cut-outs on each side of the palm leaf to add

interest; you’ll want about five on each side.

Use the utility knife to lightly score across the width of the leaf

every 3 or 4 inches— be careful not to cut completely through the

cardboard. Bend the cardboard at the score marks.

Paint the leaves

Lay the dropcloth down and paint both sides of the leaves with

green paint. Let dry.

Pour a small amount of green and white paint onto a paper

plate. Swirl the two paints together with a paintbrush to create a

light-green color.

Dab the paintbrush into the paint and wipe off any excess. Paint

a thin line down the center of the leaf to create the stem. Paint

lines in a downward direction from either side of the stem to

create a leaf design. Repeat on the underside of each leaf, and

let dry.

Paint the PVC pipe with green paint. Let dry.

Attach leaves to branches

Á Using hot glue

Ensure that the leaf’s bottom edge is positioned above the

90-degree bend in the pipe; the pipe will not go all the way to the

tip of the leaf. Use an industrial hot glue gun to glue the PVC pipe

down the center of the leaf. Hold in place until it cools.

Drill a hole about 1 inch away from the end of PVC pipe and go

all the way through.

Drill another hole about 1 inch down from the first hole.

Á Using zip ties

Place the PVC pipe on the leaf to determine where it will sit on

the leaf. Use a utility knife to create little cuts along both sides of

the PVC pipe to mark where the leaf will need to be positioned

after you take away the PVC pipe.

Using the pre-made marks as a guide, use the utility knife to make

small cuts all the way through the cardboard leaf.

Weave the zip tie through one hole and back through the second

hole. The fat part of the zip tie should stay on the underside of

the leaf.

Repeat this process for each set of holes. You’ll use four zip ties to

secure your PVC pipe to each cardboard leaf.

Once the holes are made, place the PVC pipe back in place

and secure the pipe using the zip ties. Cut off the excess zip tie

length using scissors. At this point, the leaf should be securely

fastened to the PVC pipe.

Flip over the leaf and use green paint to cover the exposed zip tie

on top of the leaf.

Using zip ties to attach the

PVC pipe to the leaves

is a much easier way to

accomplish this!

Field Test

Finding

Although the video shows

us using hot glue, we found

that using zip ties to attach

the PVC pipe to the leaves is

much easier!

Field Test

Finding

10

Make tree trunks

Cut the carpet tube to the desired height. We used a variety of

heights ranging from 4 to 8 feet to create interest.

Open all the brown paper lunch bags and cut a slit in the bottom

center of each one.

Slip the brown paper lunch bags over the carpet tube, crinkling

them up to create a palm tree texture. Repeat until the carpet

tube is covered with brown paper lunch bags. Tuck the edges of

the last brown paper lunch bag into the top of the carpet tube.

Assemble trees

Attach the PVC-pipe leaves to the carpet tube using the 1½''

screws; use two screws for each palm leaf. Repeat until all six

leaves are attached to the carpet tube.

Dump sand into the 5-gallon paint bucket and stick the carpet

tube in the bucket. Place rocks in the bucket around the tube,

and fill the remainder of the bucket with sand to secure the palm

tree in place.

Cut 10 brown paper lunch bags down one side and across the

bottom and open them up. Make sure not to cut completely

apart.

Overlap the sides of the brown paper lunch bags slightly. Staple

them together at the bottom to create a row of bags.

Staple another row of brown paper lunch bags to top of the first

row of bags to create a double-layered brown bag ''skirt.''

Turn the skirt so that the bottom of the bags can be tucked into

the gallon bucket. The skirt should cover the gallon bucket

completely.

Stuff extra brown paper lunch bags into the bucket and

around the trunk to hold in place the bags around the rim of

the bucket.

Use brown paper lunch bags to cover the PVC pipe where

the pipe meets the trunk by wrapping and pressing the

paper bags into the crease.


set build!

Holy Land Hint

11

Rockin’ Campfire

Campfire Paper Rocks

Supplies

Á newsprint or large sheets of scrap paper (any color)

Á gray bulletin board paper or wrapping paper

Á scissors

Á clear packing tape

Á black paint

Á white paint



Á 2 foam paintbrushes

Á dropcloth

To make each rock, crumple an approximately 4-foot length of

newsprint to about the size of a football.

Cover the crumpled paper with gray paper, and tape at the

bottom with clear packing tape.

Dry-brush over the gray paper using black paint, allowing the

paint to pick up the texture of the paper.

Add short brush strokes of white and black paint, and allow

to dry.

Campfire Logs and Flames

Supplies

Á roll of masking paper (found in the paint department)


Á Electric Campfire*

Á split firewood (6-8 pieces)

Á drill and drill bits

Á safety goggles

Á twelve 3'' screws (you may not need all of these)

Á extension cord (optional)

Arrange the firewood in a tepee around the Electric Campfire.

Drill the wood together using the drill and screws.

Crumple the masking paper, and tuck it around and

in between the wood pieces.

Tape the masking paper to the ground so it remains

in place.

Place the Campfire Paper Rocks in a circle around

the fire and masking paper, spacing them about 1

inch apart.


set build!

Holy Land Hint


12

Desert Oasis Rocks and Pool

Supplies

Á roll of masking paper (found in the paint department)

Á brown paper lunch bags

Á small paper plate (to pour paint on)

Á foam brush

Á brown and rusty-red paint


Á stapler

Á dropcloth

Á Water Fabric*


To build the oasis rocks, crumple the masking

paper and the brown paper lunch bags.

Fill the brown paper lunch bags with the

masking paper.

Fold over the top of each bag and staple it

closed.

Dab the foam brush into the rusty-red paint

and dry brush on the brown paper lunch

bags. Repeat with brown paint.

Lay down the Water Fabric where you want

to create your oasis, positioning it in an oval

shape to resemble a body of water.

Place rocks all the way around the

Water Fabric.


set build!

Holy Land Hint


13

Foam Bible Memory Makers

Supplies

Á spray adhesive

Á utility knife

Á Giant Bible Memory Maker Posters*

Á foam core

Á scissors

Á utility knife

Cut out each poster, leaving an approximately 4-inch

margin around the edge of the Bible Memory Maker.

Spray the foam core with spray adhesive.

Place the Bible Memory Maker on the foam core.

Cut around the Bible Memory Maker with a

utility knife.

Make a support to hold up the Bible Memory Maker by cutting

out a triangle from a foam core scrap. Score in 2 inches on one

edge, then fold it and use spray adhesive to attach it to the back

of the Bible Memory Maker.

Roll up the poster and

then unroll it gradually

as you stick it onto the

spray adhesive.

Holy Land Hint


14

If you live in a climate

where 2” thick foam board

insulation isn’t available,

you can glue two 1”

pieces together.

Holy Land Hint

Be sure to do any carving

before painting, as foam

board can’t be carved

after paint is applied.

Holy Land Hint

Stone Tablets

Supplies

Á foam board insulation (2 pieces, each 2'' x 12'' x18'')

Á Hot Knife*


Á black and white paint


Á paintbrush

Á dropcloth

Á tape

Á ''Ten Commandments Tablets'' printout (on vbsTools.com)

Á paper towels

Using the Hot Knife, bevel the edges of the foam board insulation

by pressing the blade in a diagonal position across the edge.

Carve out notches and nicks in the surface of the foam board

insulation.

Paint the notches with black paint.

Pour some black and white paint onto the paper plate. Dip a

paper towel in both colors, then apply to the foam

board to create a marbled effect.

Allow to dry.

Tape on the Ten Commandments handout, one to

each piece of foam board.


15

Sand Tarp

Supplies

Á fabric dropcloth

Á sand

Á reddish sand-colored paint

Á paint roller

Á paint tray

Á plastic dropcloth

Lay the fabric dropcloth flat on top of the plastic dropcloth.

Roll on the paint.

While the paint is wet, spread on the sand.

Allow to dry, then shake off the excess sand.

16

Israelite Camp Tent

Supplies

Á E-Z Up canopy

Á 3 old bedsheets (any size)

Á zip ties

Á binder clips

Á scissors

Á blankets

Á rectangular folding table

Á pillows

Á pottery

Á baskets

Á greenery

Set up the E-Z Up canopy, and use zip ties to secure the bedsheets

to three sides of the canopy frame. Small holes can be placed in the

sheets to thread the zip ties through, or binder clips can be used.

Set the table low on the floor, and cover it with a blanket. Spread

additional blankets on the floor, and add pillows, pottery, baskets and

greenery to help complete the look.

17

Exclusive Giveaway: Woven Rug

If using the rug on an

uncarpeted floor, use a

nonslip mat under the rug.

Holy Land Hint

17

Supplies

Á 3 rectangular

plastic tablecloths

(1 orange,1 black,

1 tan)

Á 60'' x 40'' piece of

green plastic mesh

fence

Á scissors

Á tape measure

Á straight edge

Á black duct tape

Lay a 60'' x 40'' piece of green plastic mesh fence

flat on the floor.

Trim any spikes off the edge so that it’s smooth.

Leaving the plastic tablecloths folded, cut them each into 3-inch

strips, then unfold and separate into individual strips.

Weave the strips into the plastic mesh fence with an under/over

technique. Make sure you alternate rows with the over/under,

under/over technique. Alternate strips of colors. To make the

process go faster, pull all the way through one opening and then

pull tight.

Once the entire rug is woven, trim the edges of the plastic

tablecloth strips so they’re even.

Finishing the fringed edge

Lay the black duct tape sticky side up and measure out a length

of tape that’s the length of the fringed edge.

Press the fringed edge of the rug onto the tape, then cover the

fringe with a second piece of tape, sandwiching the fringed

edge between the two layers of tape. Make sure you line up the

top and bottom pieces of tape to finish the rug neatly.

Copyright © 2014, 2020 Group Publishing, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. ~ group.com/vbs ~ 130276

001 U

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God Sightings Footprints

18

Wilderness Must-Haves! Some stations require

specific supplies available

from group.com.

Tribe Name Posters

(Opening & Closing Celebration)

Tribe Banduras

(Opening & Closing Celebration)

God Sightings Giant Maps (Tribe Time)

God Sightings Footprint Stickers

(Tribe Time)


001 U

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001 U

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19

Mail From Moses Student Pages

(Closing Tribe Time)

Tribe Time Teaching Kit

(Tribe Time)

Bible Memory Makers


19

Wilderness Escape Carabiners


Carabiner and Buddies

20

Bitty Butter Bottles Camel Caravan Bells Simple Sandals

Triumphant TambourinesAir-Dry Clay Tiny Tapestry Loom Kits

Israelite Camp Projects (Israelite Camp)

20

Egyptian Gold (Israelite Camp) Coin Pouch (Israelite Camp)

Documents

Concordia Supply | Church Supplies, Church …...Recruiting & Training DVD and VBS PRO. 2. Create a desert-themed lounge for your volunteers. 3. Quickly get kids into Tribes using