What does a day at VBS look like?
Take a look at this sample of a daily schedule for a medium-sized VBS (about 80 kids) with four Group Clusters. One cluster includes about 15-20 kids and their Guides. Note that only four out of the five possible activity sites are included.

What does VBS look like if my church offers a full-day program?

Discovery Canyon works as a full day VBS program, too! Additional time during the day allows for more in-depth exploration of the day's theme. Time at activity sites can easily be lengthened. Choose from plenty of activities to accommodate the longer schedule. Opening and Closing Celebrations can be extended as well, enabling the kids to learn more songs that connect to the day's theme, as well as increase their participation. Kids will also build strong relationships within their Small Groups and with their Guides. A full day program also helps families by making it easier to work with day care and caregiver schedules.

Here's a sample schedule of an all-day VBS using all five activity sites:

What does VBS look like if my church offers VBS during the evening?

Are caregiver, day care, and volunteer schedules difficult to work with during daytime VBS? Do you have better luck finding participants and volunteers when you offer VBS in the evening? Or do you want Discovery Canyon to be an event families can enjoy together? Discovery Canyon is flexible enough to meet your evening VBS needs! The activity site guides offer many creative activities for your VBS program that can be tailored to suit your time frame. Share snacks from the Snack Guide (Refer to the Director Guide) at the beginning of your VBS time each evening. Youth and their leaders could run a concession stand throughout the evening, serving up hot popcorn and cold drinks!

Here's a sample schedule of an evening VBS:

What if our space is limited or we don't have enough kids or leaders for VBS?

Talk with other area churches about hosting VBS jointly. In addition to increasing the number of kids and volunteers, cooperative VBS programs are great ecumenical opportunities in your community. Cooperative VBS programs often lead to future events among different churches that can strengthen individual congregations and the entire community.

How do we set up our church for Discovery Canyon?

Discovery Canyon can be set up in a variety of ways, depending on the space you have available and your VBS enrollment.

Small VBS programs (up to 50 kids)

• Gather in the church worship space or another designated area for the Opening and Closing Celebrations.
• Have Small Groups meet within the larger worship area just after the Opening Celebration. Tables and chairs are not necessary for this group gathering time.
• Activity sites may be set up in one large area such as a fellowship hall, gymnasium, or outside space.
• Designate a separate, contained space for your Preschool VBS kids to meet.

Medium to large VBS programs (more than 50 kids)

• Gather in the church worship space, fellowship hall, or another large area for the Opening and Closing Celebrations.
• Small Groups can meet within the larger worship area or find a spot close by to gather just after the Opening Celebration. Tables and chairs are not necessary for this group gathering time.
• Activity sites may be set up in separate rooms or designated areas within your church building or outside.
• Designate a separate, contained space for your Preschool VBS kids to meet.

What if we want to use an outdoor setting for VBS?

• Gather in a grassy area, in an outdoor amphitheater, or under a picnic shelter for the Opening and Closing Celebrations.
• Small Groups can gather on blankets on the ground or meet under the shade of a tree just after the Opening Celebration.
• Activity sites can be set up under one or more shelters, tents, or canopies in a large, open area such as a church lawn or parking lot. Seek permission ahead of time if meeting in public spaces.
• Designate a separate, contained space for your Preschool VBS kids to meet.

How can we adapt Discovery Canyon to the classroom model?

Planning to use a classroom model for Discovery Canyon? No problem! This link provides you with helpful hints and outlines a Day-at-a-Glance for setting up Discovery Canyon in the classroom.

The steps outlined here are for general use of the classroom model. Modify them as needed.

1. Determine how you will group your kids. The easiest way is to have one group per age/grade level: Ages 3-4, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and each grade from 1 through 6. You can also combine groups: Pre K-K, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, and Grades 5-6. Recruit staff based on the number of Small Groups you anticipate. You'll need one Guide for each Small Group, as well as a Worship Leader, and other support staff as needed.
2. Assign classroom space for each Small Group.
3. Determine your large group gathering space(s) for the Opening Celebration and Closing Celebrations.
4. Order your Leader Resources:
   • Director Guide
   • Age-level Leader Guide (one for each classroom leader)
   • Bible Story Poster Pack (one for each classroom)
   • Bible Memory Verse Poster Pack (one for each classroom)
   • Sagebrush Storytelling (one for each classroom or leader)
   • Cavern Crafts (one for each classroom or leader)
   • Shadow Science (one for each classroom or leader)
   • Red Rock Rhythm (one for each classroom or leader)
   • Gully Games(one for each classroom or leader)
   • Discovery Canyon Storytelling DVD
   • Discovery Canyon Songbook, Song CD and Music Video DVD
   • Enrichment materials for publicity and special VBS activities
5. Order your Discovery Canyon Kid Resources:
   • Kid Packs: includes the Bible Book, Canyon Critters, and Pouch (each also sold separately)
   • Trading Cards
   • Copies of the Song CD
6. Decorate your classroom Canyon style!

Classroom Model Day-at-a-Glance:

Here's an example...

How can Discovery Canyon support faith formation at home?

Discovery Canyon supports faith formation in the home by providing resources for families to play, study, share, and serve together.

Discovery Canyon Kids' Bible Books feature:

Discovery Canyon at Home – a family activity for each day.
Daily Discipleship – questions to ask over dinner and family time that focus on faith in daily life.
Dive Deeper – the driving questions kids looked at each day at VBS.

Adult and Youth Bible Study – allows parents and teens to study the same Bible texts as the kids attending Vacation Bible School, either in their own Small Groups or at home.

Discovery Canyon Trading Cards provide opportunities for families to gather each evening and review the daily Bible memory verse, learn fun facts about the daily critter, and play online games that reinforce each day's theme, Bible story, and Bible memory verse.

Discovery Canyon Mission Project – encourages families to support a mission project that kids of all ages can identify with.

Small Group Activities help kids build trusting relationships through activities and conversations within a small group.

Large Group Opening and Closing Worship provides kids the opportunity to praise and worship God in an inviting high-energy large group.

Reproducible Discovery Canyon Song CD connects VBS worship with the home. Hand out the CDs when kids register for VBS, and they will already know the songs when they come to VBS!