2010 SMS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

High Seas Expedition

Exploring the Mighty Love of God!

Kids entering kindergarten through Grade 5 next fall are invited to our 2010 Vacation Bible School program: High Seas Expedition. Each day kids will hear Bible stories, learn new songs, play fun games, participate in a project that will help children show Jesus' love to others, collect Bible Memory Buddies, and create fun crafts to take home and use all summer long.  Vacation Bible School will give children a wonderful experience of fun and faith this summer.  VBS takes place at SMS the week of July 19-July 23 from 9am -12 noon. (If afternoon care is needed, let us know, we may be able to give you some contacts for paid afternoon care.)  Children do not have to be members of SMS parish to attend.  We hope your children can join us!

Registration Information -

1. Preregistration is necessary. Please use the attached form to register.
2. Fee: $30 - 1st child; $25 – each additional child
( cash or check made payable to St. Madeleine Sophie Church) Fee includes a T-shirt with the VBS logo, one cassette or CD per family of the music we’ll be singing, daily crafts, and program supplies.
***No family will be turned away if fee is a hardship.***
3. Family Participation: Vacation Bible School is completely run by parish volunteers. The attached registration form lists areas where we need help to make the program run smoothly. Please indicate which area your family will be assisting with. Every family with children attending VBS must sign up to help in some way with VBS.
4. Put completed registration form and applicable fee in an envelope and mail to:
          St. Madeleine Sophie Church VBS Program
          c/o 4110 Stonefield Way
          Schenectady, NY 12306
5. ****Although the deadline for Registration has passed; there are some spots available.  Please call 356-4504 to check on availability.

Opening Day
          Vacation Bible School begins on Monday, July 19 at 9 am. Each morning we will gather in the Parish Center for an opening ceremony. Children will be divided into groups by grade level. At the end of each day we will gather again in the Parish Center for a closing, so please plan to pick your child up in the Parish Center at 12 noon.
Please have your child bring the following things each day to VBS:
1. Bag or backpack to carry things in.
2. Snacks-Please have your child bring a drink and a snack each day.
3. Offering- Each morning the children will be invited to share an offering for our mission project. We will also collect canned goods for our food pantry. You will receive more information about this on the first day of VBS.

Closing Celebration and Luncheon
          We hope that you and your family will be able to join us on Friday, July 23 at 11:45 am in the Parish Center for our Closing Celebration and Luncheon, as we end our week-long journey and share with you what we’ve learned.
          All parishioners are cordially invited to assist with Vacation Bible School and we need lots of help.   Please see Section III of the attached sheet for volunteer requirements and ways to help. If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Kelly, VBS Director, at 356-4504 or dkellyii@nycap.rr.com. We look forward to seeing everyone this summer!

St. Madeleine Sophie Church Vacation Bible School Registration Form 2010
Fee: $30- 1st child; $25 – each additional child
(Preschool children of parents volunteering to help as staff members during VBS week may register.)

I. Children’s Registration          Grade entering                         T Shirt Size           Music preference
          Child’s name                                                  in Sept.*                 Age            (see below)           CD or cassette

1. _____________________________              _______            _______            _______              _________

2. _____________________________              _______            _______            _______               N/A

3 ._____________________________              _______            _______            _______               N/A
*Copy of birth certificate required for children entering Kindergarten and parent is not volunteering as a staff member.

PARENT NAMES: _________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________E-mail__________________

HOME PHONE: _______________ WORK OR EMERGENCY PHONE: ________________

If your child would like to be with a friend in the SAME GRADE, please indicate friend’s name:______________
Important Medical info: My child has: (circle) Autism; ADHD; ADD; .PDD; Peanut Allergy; Asthma; Diabetes, Hearing Problem; other: ____________________________________________________________________________

II. T-Shirts: Please use the following information to select a size.
YS(size 6 – 8 ) YM (size 10 - 12) YL (size 14 - 16) AS, AM, AL AXL, AXXL,
III. ADULT and TEEN VOLUNTEER(grade 6 and up) REGISTRATION :
VBS volunteers age 16 or older and adults(including parents) must have attended a Virtus class as well as completed a Catechist/Youth Ministry Application and a Background Check form (age 18 and older) and Code of Conduct form in order to help during VBS week. If you have not yet taken Virtus please go to www.rcda.org and search "Virtus" for a complete schedule or call the Diocese office at (518)453-6635. Teens entering grade 6 through age 15 do not need the Virtus class but do need to complete a Catechist/Youth Ministry Application. Please complete and return the form below; upon receipt we will send you the applicable application and forms. Thank you for your cooperation.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES- PLEASE CHECK ONE (1) of the TEN (10) SPACES BELOW:
I CAN HELP DURING VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WEEK AS A STAFF MEMBER: (you don’t have to volunteer all five days; just let us know which days you can commit to.)
_______ Crew Leader-adults and older teen leaders for a small group of campers. Responsibilities include overseeing your small group and getting them to their scheduled activity on time – no teaching involved! (grade preferred ______).
______ Activity Assistant (Adult or teens) - Please circle all activity areas of interest to you:
                                               Outdoor games,   Crafts,   Daily Bible Story,   Skits,    Music,   Miscellaneous Helper
______ Offering/Mission Project - prepare containers to collect daily offering, count coins daily, make poster to chart our progress. 9am-approx. 9:45am daily. Great job for a teen or senior citizen!
______ Photographer- Adult needed to take photos daily and mount them on a display board for Friday closing.

I CAN HELP WITH OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Many hands make light work!!!.
______ Parish Center Set Up and Decorating- (a huge help even if you can’t come VBS week!)
______ Decorating Ideas, Props, Artwork, Banners- complete prior to July 17
______ T-shirt Coordinator- pick up shirts, sort , label individually, and group into Crews
______ Word Processing and Photocopying- program, camper lists, etc.
______ Closing Celebration -Friday, July 23 - Coordinator;   Donate food items,   serve,   set-up,   clean-up,
                                            Please circle all areas where you can help.
______ Parish Center Clean Up- Friday, July 23, immediately following Closing Celebration.
ADULT VOLUNTEERS:
Name:______________________________________ PHONE_______________EMAIL___________________
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS:
NAME____________________________________ AGE _______ PHONE ___________EMAIL____________
***All VBS staff will be provided navy vests to wear daily to distinguish them from the children. If any staff members would also like a T-shirt to match the children, they may order one for themselves for $8. Please enclose this amount with this form. Thank you!
Staff T-shirt Order: Name ______________________________________ Size _____ (see Section II above)