According to Facts & Trends, two thirds of American parents plan to send their kids to Vacation Bible School. If you are one of these parents and are looking for a VBS program in the Twin Cities, we have some options. Thank you to our marvelous Facebook Community for filling recommending many of these churches. We’ve added your testimonials below those entries.
Budget Hint: While not all VBS programs are free, many communities have scholarships available. They don’t always advertise them, so you need to ask. Or, if you are able, you can offer to fund another child’s tuition.
2020 Vacation Bible School Programs
Continuing with our 2020 theme, this will be new ground for VBS programs. Some are going virtual; others are cancelling or postponing programming; others are hopefully moving forward. We’ll try to keep you up-to-date, and if a parish offers online resources for parents, we are adding those here as well. Maybe 2020 will be the year of DIY Backyard VBS programs?
As always this year, please register early and stay in contact with the program providers so you are alerted to changes or cancellations. This also helps the coordinators to plan and get an idea about numbers.
June Programs
6/10/20-8/5/20 • Memorial Lutheran Church, Afton • Virtual Family VBS • Wednesday Evenings • PreK- 6th Grade • 1-hour live gatherings with access to science projects led by video. Participating families will have an opportunity to pick up a “VBS-kit” in early June that will have their supplies for the projects and other resources they would have otherwise received at VBS. FREE, but please register so they can order enough kits.
6/22/20-6/26/20 • Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton • Hear Talk Pray Live FOCUS – Virtual Program • 9:00am-12:00pm • Ages PreK-Grade 5 • FREE.
Thank you, Melissa, for this recommendation.
6/22/20-6/24/20, 7/20/20-7/22/20, 8/17/20-8/19/20 • Presbyterian Church of the Way, Shoreview • The King’s Book – Virtual Program • 6:00pm-8:00pm • Each session is different. Sign up for one all three. Each VBS will feature a take-home kit with games, bible stories, crafts and links to more. Age 3-17 • FREE
July Programs
7/13/20-7/17/20 • Grace Church, Eden Prairie • Summer Splash • 6pm-8pm (Dinner served free from 5pm-6pm) • Families with Kids through Grade 5. This is NOT a drop-off programs. Parents must attend with kids. • FREE.
7/13/20-7/17/20 • Zion Lutheran, Mayer • Rainforest Explorers: Jesus Saves the World • 2019 Details: 9:00am-11:30am • Age 4-Grade 5 • $30/child, $75/family.
Thank you, Ashley, for this recommendation.
7/13/20-8/6/20 • Community of Grace, White Bear Lake • Flying Junction Mini-Camps • In place of traditional VBS, small mini-camps will be offered around various hobbies, such as sports, scrap-booking, dance, sewing, gardening, etc. Space will be limited and may be geared toward specific ages. Camps will meet once a week for four weeks. Registration open • Price $20
“AMAZING youth ministry leaders and volunteers!” – Tracy
FULL 7/27/20-7/31/20 • Rockpoint Church, Lake Elmo • Rocky Railway • 9:00am-12:00pm • Ages 3-5th Grade • $40/child / $100 family max.
Online Resources: Find a variety of online programming for families on the kids page.
“They go all out and make it so fun and memorable!” – Amber
7/27/20-7/31/20 • Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Oakdale • Concrete & Cranes • Where kids learn that Jesus is their strong foundation. VBS this year will be a choose your own adventure. Any combination you wish is great. Materials will be prepackaged for each family. • $30/per child suggested/if able.
- Some optional moments of in person at GA with social distancing
- Some moments of daily live Zooms in the morning (will also be recorded)
- Some moments of online videos
- Some moments of at fun at home
- All at home participation is ok, too
August Programs
8/3/20-8/6/20 • Crossroads Church, All Campuses – Woodbury, Eagan, Cottage Grove, Hastings • FOCUS on God: Hear, Talk, Pray, Live – Virtual Program • 9:30am-11:30am • Ages 4-Grade 5 • FREE
“Crossroads Church Woodbury does a great job!”
8/3/20-8/6/20 • Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove • Art Camp • Morning Session: 9:30am-11:30am; Evening Session: 6:00pm-7:30pm • Age 3 – 6th Grade • $15/student; $30/family.
“[A]n amazing art camp. I’m super impressed with the art!” – Charissa
8/3/20-8/7/20 • Calvary Lutheran Church, Golden Valley • Virtual – FOCUS: Take A Closer Look • 9am-Noon • Ages 4-Grade 5 • $10/child. Box pick up: Wednesday, July 29, 4-6 p.m.
08/03/20-08/07/20 • Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Plymouth • Rocky Railway • 9:00am-12:00pm • Age 4 – 6th Grade • FREE!
“Everything they do is so organized and beautifully done. Their VBS is very well planned and executed!!” – Rachel
8/10/20-8/14/20 • Shepherd of the Valley, Afton • Virtual – Rocky Railway • 9:00am-12:00pm • Ages 3-3rd Grade • $35/child.
8/10/20-8/14/20 • Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata • Virtual – Focus: Virtual VBS • Ages 3-5th Grade • $25/child.
8/11/20-8/13/20 • St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lakeville • 2020 Theme: Rocky Railway • 2020 details are still be decided, but it will either be a backyard VBS experience with small groups or a virtual Rocky Railway experience. Stay tuned for more 2020 Details.
2019 Info: 9:00am-12:00pm • Age 4-4th Grade • $25 (optional $7 for CD to take home).
“Amazing teachers and family/friends!” – Marianne.
TBD • Oak Heights Covenant Church, Hutchinson • TBD • 2019 Details: 6:00pm-8:30pm • Age 3-5th Grade • FREE.
“The whole church comes together and pulls off the most fun 5-night event” – Karen
2019 Vacation Bible School Programs –
Cancelled or Not Yet Announced for 2020
June Programs
Cancelled for 2020 • Immaculate Conception, Columbia Heights • Totus Tuus • 7:30am-9:30 pm • Grades 7-12 • $25/child or $75/family.
Online Resources: IC has purchased a membership to Formed for all parishioners.
I love Immaculate Conception’s family-centered community. It has been the most welcoming parish we have ever belonged to. This shows the most in their youth and family faith formation programs.
2020 TBA • Community of Joy Lutheran Church, Eagan • TBD • 9:00am-3:00pm • Grades 1-6 • $20/child.
2020 TBA • Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville • TBD • 9:00am-12:00pm • Age 2-Grade 5 • $50/child or $125/family.
Online Resources: Families can download both worship and curriculum resources.
“[T]he energy is amazing. Children’s Ministry rocks at Prince of Peace.” – Brianna
2020 TBA • Living Hope Lutheran Church, Shakopee/Bloomington • TBD • 9:00am-12:00pm • Ages 2+ (2 and 3 yr olds need a parent) • $10 donation request/child.
Thank you, Lisa, for this recommendation.
Cancelled for 2020 • Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights • 2021 TBD • 9:00am-500pm (Drop off as early as 7:30am) • Ages 3-6th Grade • $65/child; $120 family.
2020 TBA • Messiah Lutheran, Fridley • TBD • 6:15pm-8:30pm • Age 3-Grade 6 • $30/child.
Online Resources: Stay-At-Home Activities Page for Kids.
“[A] great program… They sing and have a great time.” – Angela
2020 TBA • Mount Olive Church, Anoka • TBD • 9:00am-12:00pm • Ages 4-Grade 4 • $20/child.
“Mount Olive Church in Anoka is Wonderful!” – Tasha
2020 TBA • Woodbury Lutheran Church, Multiple Campuses • TBD • 9:30am-12:00pm • Ages 4 years-4th grade • FREE. (See additional dates in July at different campuses).
Online/At Home Resources: Participate in online children’s services and download weekly lessons.
“Leaders are amazing! and it’s FREE!” – Molly
July Programs
2020 Dates TBA • Calvary Memorial, Wayzata • 2020 Theme: Inside Out: Jesus Transforms Me • Times TBA • Age 3-11 • FREE.
2020 Dates TBA • North Haven Church, Saint Paul • TBD • 12:15pm-4:00pm. Registration will be open at the beginning of June.
2020 Dates TBA • Southland City Church, Rosemount • TBD • 6:00pm-8:00pm • K-5th grade • $50/child (includes: t-shirt).
“They do a great job!” – Erin.
Cancelled for 2020 • Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Roseville • VBS Theatre Camp • The musical “The Technicolor Promise” is the story of Noah and the flood. We plan to do this one in summer of 2021.
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Do you have a VBS submission? I’ll continue to add them throughout the summer. Submit them to Joy
For more ideas on how to keep your kids busy this summer check out our 2019 Guide to Twin Cities Summer Camps.
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