Vacation Bible School Preschool Crew Leader Training

You are a Preschool Crew Leader This is the most interactive volunteer opportunity at VBS! We are so excited that you are here! Please continue through the training to see what adventures VBS will hold this year…

What is a Preschool Crew Leader? A friend and a helper Someone who helps children complete activities Someone who gets down on the floor to interact with the children Someone who loves and encourages kids Someone who supports Preschool Play Staff

What do I wear? Shorts of respectable length, Capris, or Pants Comfortable Shoes VBS T-shirt- can be picked up prior to VBS or it will be in the kitchen on Monday morning and MUST be worn everyday Crew Leader Nametag- found in station envelope

Where do I start? Arrive on time 8:30 on Monday 8:45 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday You will report to your assigned pew in the sanctuary. Sit on the end near the middle aisle. If you have an assistant crew leader they will sit on the other end near the windows. If you do not know your assigned crew prior to Monday, you will find your name on the pew sign for the crew that you are assigned. Change into VBS t-shirt (Allow extra time)

Daily Materials In your pew you will find a crew bucket. This will be used to carry any items you may need- such as your schedule, crew member medication or crafts. Inside your crew bucket you will find a rope. Have your Crew hold onto the rope and use it to lead them from place to place. This will help you keep them together. You will also find a crew envelope. This will contain nametag labels for the crew leaders and members for each day. This should remain in the pew throughout the day. Please do not carry it with you! It will also contain…

Crew Attendance Sheet (example) Each day place a check mark in the columns to mark that the child was present. Please do this during the opening, so that total attendance can be taken. Once completed, leave entire crew envelope in your pew.

Snack Slip Write the Crew Name AND Number on the ‘Crew’ line (i.e. Panda #1) Write the number of children in attendance that day. Only Children. Crew leaders have different snacks. Your envelope will contain 5 snack slips. You are to fill one out each day during the opening. VBS staff will be around to collect them for the kitchen. Cave Quest VBS Snack Sheet Crew:____________________________ # of Children:______________________

Daily Schedule (example) Friends are listed in case you have a child that is having a hard time. Knowing his/her friend may help get the through. Allergy or Medical Info- this info MUST be kept with you at all times. The Snack Team also has a copy of allergies, but sometimes an opportunity for a treat may arise at games or during the lesson. You need to know what your crew members need to stay away from. This is also where we will note if a child is not to have his/her picture taken. It will also be noted on his/her nametag. Crew activities, rooms, and times will stay the same for all days. Note the day and time that you are to report to the sanctuary for crew pictures. This will only occur one time during the week.

Opening This is where kids worship by singing upbeat action songs. Your job is to… Greet your Crew Members as they arrive. Give them their nametag- found in the crew envelope. Follow the motions and sing out loud! Be enthusiastic and participate! Remember that if you get involved, the kids will too!

Bible Adventure This is where the kids experience the Bible story. Your job is to… Listen carefully to hear how Crew Leaders should help out. Keep your Crew together and encourage respectful listening to the Bible Adventure Leader as well as other crew members. Participate in the experience and encourage participation.

Craft & Play This is where kids make crafts. Your job is to… Listen carefully to the instructions. Repeat them to your crew members if necessary. Keep your Crew together and encourage respectful listening to the Craft Leaders. Help kids make their crafts (if they need help). Help clean up your area before leaving.

The Kitchen This is where Crews come for a tasty snack. Your job is to… Seat your Crew at their designated table- look for a placard in the middle. Larger crews may have 2 tables, if so, they will both contain a placard. Help your Crew get started on their snack. Drinks will be pre-poured and waiting for you. Trays will be delivered to each table by the Kitchen Crew. Refill drinks for your crew as necessary. Pitchers will be on every other table. Crew Leaders will take turns going to a break area to have their snack. You can spend about 5 minutes each in the break area. Please finish your snack in the break area- Do not bring it out to eat in front of the crews. Please do not stand in from of the kitchen door. Once your crew is finished eating their snack take them to the parlor lot on the sanctuary side of the church. Here they will get their Bible Buddies each day.

Playtime As soon as your crew is finished with snack, please head to Playtime for the remainder of the time. Your job is to… Keep your Crew together. Have fun and burn some energy! Free Play will be held at the outdoor playground, weather permitting If it is raining, playtime will be held in Rooms 10 and 11.

Games This is where kids play team-building games. Your job is to… Listen carefully to the instructions so you can help your Crew follow them. Perform any tasks the Games Leader assigns to you. Participate in each activity and cheer on your Crew as they participate.

Closing This is an exciting review of the day’s lesson. Your job during Closing is to… Lead kids to your assigned pew. Participate in singing and other activities. Pass out anything that should go home with the Crew Member from that day. Remind your Crew to participate without being rowdy or disruptive. Be enthusiastic and participate!

When it’s time to say Good-bye Keep children in your pew until their caregiver arrives to pick them up. All children will be dismissed in the middle aisle. NO ONE SHOULD LEAVE FROM THE SIDE AISLES. Make sure children leave with their craft(s) Leave your crew bucket and crew envelope in your pew. Have a fantastic day!!!

Picture Policy Please refrain from taking and/or posting pictures of any children attending VBS, other than your own. If a child has “No Pictures – Media” on his or her nametag, please remove him/her if a newspaper, etc. approaches your crew. If a child has “No Pictures!” on his or her nametag, they are not to be in ANY pictures. Please let the VBS photographer know when he/she approaches your crew.

What to do if… Most of the time, things will go smoothly for your crew, but every once in a while, you may run into a dilemma. Here’s some advice on how to handle different challenges. If my Crew won’t stay together? Come up with creative ways to travel like skipping, hopping, or making waves with arms. Come up with cheers to say as you travel. If my Crew Member won’t participate? Help a shy child feel welcome by calling them by name and asking them questions directly. Respond to their questions with a smile. Try giving the child special jobs like finding a place for your crew to sit at each station. If people in my Crew don’t get along? Quietly take the children aside. Tell them you’ve noticed that they’re not getting along. Let them know that although they don’t have to be best friends, they do have to be together all week, so things will be a lot more fun if they can be kind to one another. Use the daily Bible Points for these teachable moments! If I have an overly active child? Pair this child with yourself during partner activities, and suggest that he or she sit with you during quiet times. If the child is really uncontrollable- see one of the VBS Directors.

Potty Breaks Include scheduled potty breaks during Snack and Games. If a child has to go at another time one Crew Leader may take them. If the child can use the bathroom independently, stand at the door rather than going into the bathroom with them. If a child has an accident, please take them to the nursery to change him/her.

A couple more things… NO cell phone use. You are responsible for your crew of children. Being on your phone take attention away from them. Please keep it in your pocket or don’t bring it at all. NO piggy back rides. They are fun- we know. The kids like them- we know. It isn’t safe, however, and our priority needs to be keeping them safe. NO standing on the pews. Please keep your crew from standing on the pews during the songs. They can dance and have fun, but that is also a safety issue- and a respect issue. If a parent is upset about anything- please do not try to handle it yourself. Please ask them to talk to one of the directors (Sarah, Shawna, or Cheryl)

Safe Sanctuary Never be alone with a child. Always stay in a group of 3 or in line of sight of other adults if you have to talk to a child separately. If you suspect that a child in your care is being abused, please immediately bring this to the attention of one of the VBS Directors or one of the Pastors. Appropriate touch: Please let the child initiate hugs. Open Classrooms/Bathrooms: When taking children to the bathroom, keep the main door to the bathrooms open and stand in the hall to wait.

Thanks for joining us!