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FAQs

Parent Questions | Helper Questions

1. What is the registration deadline for VBS?
   There is NO registration deadline for VBS—we accept new children even on the very last day! However, the deadline for pre-registration (which allows you to get your child’s materials prior to the first day of VBS) is Sunday, June 8. All children who register after that date will need to do so at the Registration Table in the front foyer on Monday morning, June 16.
2. My child will be four years old after VBS. Can he/she still attend?
   If your child turns four no later than June 30, 2008, he or she may attend.
3. My child would like to bring a friend who is younger than he is. Is this allowed?
   We encourage children to bring their friends! In the case of differences in age, we either place the children together in the youngest child’s age group or we separate the children into their age-appropriate groups (your choice). We do not move younger children up to an older age group.
4. How many friends can my child invite?
   As many as he or she would like! However, we may not be able to accommodate all requests to be placed with friends if it is a large number of children. We recommend that you consider dividing a large number of children (for example, a group of children coming from the same neighborhood) into 2 or 3 groups so that every child has at least one friend that they know.
5. My child can attend only 2 of the 5 days. Do I still pay the entire fee?
   Yes, the fee is the same whether a child attends all 5 days or just for one day, as each child will receive the same materials no matter how many days they attend.
6. Will I receive confirmation that my child is registered?
   For online registrations, you will receive confirmation by email. For paper registrations, no confirmation is sent.
7. Do I need to pick up my child’s materials in advance or can we just show up on the first day?
   It is helpful if you can pick up your child’s materials in advance, as this provides you with the group your child has been assigned to as well as your child’s pick-up location. Materials will be available for pre-registered children on Sundays, June 8 & 15 in The Commons.
8. I can’t pick up my child’s materials in The Commons before VBS. What should I do?
   You may either have a friend pick up your materials for you, or you may pick them up on Monday morning in the front foyer. There will be a separate table in the main foyer for pre-registered children who need to get their materials. You do not need to wait in the registration line.
9. When can I purchase a T-shirt for my child?
   T-shirts will be available on Sundays, June 8 & 15 in The Commons and in the front foyer during the week of VBS (while supplies last). T-shirts are $5 each.
10. Are VBS t-shirts required?
    No, parents are not required to purchase VBS t-shirts for their children.
11. What should my child wear to VBS?
    Casual attire is best (shorts, t-shirts) with close-toed shoes (no flip flops, please; tennis shoes preferred). Your child will have a recreation time outside every day, and they will need to be comfortably dressed.
12. How do I know where to take my child on the first day?
    All children are assigned to a small group. The group is listed on the front of each child’s materials that you receive either on June 8 or June 15 or on your child’s first day. Each small group has a designated pew in the Auditorium (pews are labeled). All children should go to their group’s pew each morning.
13. What time should I bring my children each morning?
    On Monday morning, we recommend that you arrive no later than 8:45 if you still need to pick up your child’s materials. If you need to register a child, we recommend that you arrive at 8:30 am, as the registration line is often very long on Monday morning.
14. How do I know where to pick up my child?
    Your child’s pickup location is listed on the sticker on their materials (it will not be in the Auditorium). Also, the small group leadesr will give you a pick-up location note on the first day that your child attends so that you know where to pick up him/her.
15. What if someone other than me is picking up my child?
    You must sign a “Pick-up Authorization” note for anyone other than you to be allowed to pick up your child. Authorization forms can be obtained from your child’s small group leader.
16. I have a child with special needs. Can he/she still attend?
    Please contact Elizabeth Heisey directly to discuss your child’s needs (mrskevin@alltel.net). We will make every effort to provide a wonderful VBS week for your child.
17. What types of snacks do you provide?
    Snacks vary from day-to-day, but we offer items such as pretzels, go-gurt yogurt, grapes, goldfish crackers, and trail mix. We usually serve water to drink.
18. My child has food allergies. Do you provide special foods for children with allergies?
    We are unable to provide special snacks for children with allergies. We ask that parents send in a separate snack for their child if they have concerns. Please keep in mind that snack time is usually only about 10 minutes long, so an appropriately-sized snack is suggested.
19. We’ve never been to your church before, and my child is a bit nervous. May I stay with my child?
    We understand that the size of our building and the number of children who are attending may be somewhat intimidating; unfortunately, the designated group pews cannot accommodate children, staff and parents. We suggest that you plan to arrive early on your child’s first day and sit with your child for a bit in an unmarked pew, allowing your child to have time to adjust to the environment of VBS before they join their small group (by 9:00 am) in their designated pew. Parents are welcome to remain in the back of the Auditorium during our Opening Ceremonies and enjoy the music and skits each day.

Parent Questions | Helper Questions

1. What is the deadline to sign-up to serve?
   In order to make our staffing plans, we ask that helpers sign up by May 4^th; however, we will continue to accept helper sign-ups past that date if we still have staffing needs.
2. Do I have to be a Parkside member to help at VBS?
   We do ask that Preschool Lead Teachers be members; however, we need over 150 helpers at VBS who do not have to be members. We ask that you have been attending regularly for a minimum of six months. All adult helpers (18+ years of age) are required to fill out a Background Security Check Application to serve at VBS.
3. I would like to help, but I have a child younger than four years old. Is there childcare provided?
   Childcare is provided for children younger than four years of age for helpers’ children only. We provide nursery care for children birth-2 years old and a mini-VBS program for children who are 2-3 years of age.
4. I would like to help, but I can’t be there for all 5 days. Is there a place for me to serve?
   Yes! We need helpers to staff our Nursery Team and our Mini-VBS team. We also need helpers to clean up on Friday at the conclusion of VBS (noon). We are also looking for prayer partners who can’t serve during the week of VBS but who would commit to praying for this week.
5. I would like to serve with my child’s group. Is this possible?
   While we cannot guarantee parent/child requests, we do try to accommodate these requests.
6. Will I receive any training prior to the start of VBS?
   Yes, we provide orientation meetings for most of our VBS departments (small group leaders, Recreation, Nursery/Mini-VBS, youth). You will be notified about the meetings.
7. Are we expected to purchase a VBS T-shirt if we are serving?
   No, this is not necessary, though you are welcome to do so if you would like.
8. My teenager would like to serve. Are there any special requirements?
   We need approximately 125 youth helpers, 6^th grade and older. The only requirements that we have is that youth helpers have servants’ hearts, a love for kids and Christ, and attend a mandatory youth orientation meeting in June. Youth helpers must have a Parkside adult contact we can call if needed.
9. My teenager would like to serve with a friend. Is this allowed?
   We assign youth helpers in areas of greatest need and do not guarantee that they will be able to serve with their friends. In some cases, we find that when teens serve with friends, it can be a distraction and not be helpful to the ministry of VBS. We encourage a spirit of servanthood regardless of whether or not friends are placed together.
10. How can I find out more about the various helper roles at VBS?
    Check out our “Job Descriptions” tab on the VBS homepage. You’ll find details about all of the areas of ministry during the week of VBS.