VBS is open to campers Ages 4 – Grade 5 and volunteers Grade 6 – Adult
Vacation Bible Camp (VBS) is a summer camp program designed to introduce children to the love and grace of Jesus. It contains all the fun activity stations you’d expect to find at a summer camp like, art, music, games, stories, snacks, and friendship building, but each area is infused with the message of God’s love! Every day of camp the children are introduced to a new Bible Point that is reinforced in each activity station they visit to help them explore God’s nature and what that means to their everyday lives.
This summer at St. Mark’s VBS, kids will step into a fictional Rainforest Falls, overflowing with wild waterfalls, towering trees, and colorful creatures! Beneath a canopy of chattering birds and howling monkeys, kids plunge into a lifelong adventure of discovering the nature of God. They’ll explore what it means to be rooted in relationship with God, their creator, a safe place in life’s storms.
This summer at St. Mark’s VBS, kids will step into a fictional Rainforest Falls, overflowing with wild waterfalls, towering trees, and colorful creatures! Beneath a canopy of chattering birds and howling monkeys, kids plunge into a lifelong adventure of discovering the nature of God. They’ll explore what it means to be rooted in relationship with God, their creator, a safe place in life’s storms.
Contact Children’s Ministries at kidzchurch@stmarkscarmel.org with any questions.
VBS Week Events
Save the Dates!
- VBS Volunteer Leader Training: Wednesday, July 8, 6-7:30PM
- VBS Music Team Rehearsal Schedule: Sundays from 12:15-1:30 PM on May 31, June 7, June 14, June 28, & July 12
- Community Social Night: Wednesday, July 15, 6-7PM
Join us outside under the tent for sweet treats; entertainment from the musical group, Circuit Thursday; and fellowship with all your church, VBS, and community friends! - Student Volunteer Social: Directly after Community Night, July 15, 7-9PM. All student age counselors are invited to stay for dinner and fun!
Vacation Bible Camp Volunteer information
There are over 30 ways to volunteer for VBS! Help is needed preparing for the busy week, guiding children during camp each day, and cleaning-up after the fun is over. Check out the all the different opportunities to serve below and choose the one that speaks to you! The list and descriptions are also on the volunteer registration form for easy access while you’re signing-up
Crew Leader Call-Out: Our most pressing need is to fill all our Crew Leader positions. The word, “leader” sometimes makes people nervous because they think they will have to teach or lead a class, but you don’t! Crew Leaders are friendly guides to a group of students for the week and you are always with other Crew Leaders for support. Please read our special section below, “What is a Crew Leader?” for a description about this wonderful, fulfilling way to serve. If you still have questions, please reach out to Children’s Ministries – we’d love to chat with you about this opportunity!
Crew Leader Call-Out: Our most pressing need is to fill all our Crew Leader positions. The word, “leader” sometimes makes people nervous because they think they will have to teach or lead a class, but you don’t! Crew Leaders are friendly guides to a group of students for the week and you are always with other Crew Leaders for support. Please read our special section below, “What is a Crew Leader?” for a description about this wonderful, fulfilling way to serve. If you still have questions, please reach out to Children’s Ministries – we’d love to chat with you about this opportunity!
“Who can be a VBS Crew Leader?”
Anyone entering 6th grade through adults of all ages who enjoy being with kids!
“What does a VBS Crew Leader do?”
Crew Leaders are paired in teams of 2 and shepherd a small group of campers to different activity stations each day, traveling the church with at least 2 other crews and their leaders. A good crew leader is a friend and helper…they ask questions, take kids seriously, and encourage them throughout camp.
Crew Leaders do not lead the activity stations; they provide support to the station leaders by helping children remain attentive and respectful, participating in the activities, and assisting kids when needed.
“When will I need to be there?”
REGISTER HERE to sign-up as a Crew Leader or other VBS volunteer position. Please make sure to select “Volunteer Registration” on the sign-up page.
Anyone entering 6th grade through adults of all ages who enjoy being with kids!
“What does a VBS Crew Leader do?”
Crew Leaders are paired in teams of 2 and shepherd a small group of campers to different activity stations each day, traveling the church with at least 2 other crews and their leaders. A good crew leader is a friend and helper…they ask questions, take kids seriously, and encourage them throughout camp.
Crew Leaders do not lead the activity stations; they provide support to the station leaders by helping children remain attentive and respectful, participating in the activities, and assisting kids when needed.
“When will I need to be there?”
- VBS is July 13-17, 2026 from 9AM-12:15PM each day.
- Crew leaders arrive at 8:30AM and leave by 12:30 PM.
- There is also a short Leader Training Session on Wednesday, July 8, 6-7:30PM.
REGISTER HERE to sign-up as a Crew Leader or other VBS volunteer position. Please make sure to select “Volunteer Registration” on the sign-up page.
Other VBS Volunteer Opportunities:
- Assembly Time Band: This team of individuals brings the week of VBS to life by accompanying the entire camp in song each morning and afternoon during assembly time. If you love to play your instrument in front of an audience, this is your chance to shine! Rehearsals will begin a couple months prior to camp so there will be plenty of time to become familiar with all the music. You can also be a crew leader or other position in addition to performing at assembly time.
- Assembly Time Dance Team: This team is comprised of energetic students who love to dance! The group is on stage every day for the opening and closing assembly, leading the camp through all the VBS song motions. There will also be practices at the church a couple months prior to camp in order to learn the choreography. You can also be a crew leader or other position in addition to performing at assembly time.
- Assembly Time Song Leader Team: This team of individuals brings the week of VBS to life by leading the entire camp in song each morning and afternoon during assembly time. If you love to sing in front of an audience, this is your chance to shine! Rehearsals will begin a couple months prior to camp so there will be plenty of time to become familiar with all the music. You can also be a crew leader or other position in addition to performing at assembly time.
- A.V. Booth Technician: This behind the scenes leader is crucial to the production of VBS. This technician is confident working with technology, meets cues, can run a variety of audio and visual technologies, and is flexible.
- Clean-Up Crew: This person has a positive attitude, lots of energy, and is willing to be here at noon on the last day of camp to help the directors clean up and return the building back to working order for church that weekend.
- Command Center Assistant: The Command Center is the headquarters for the week of VBS! This station welcomes anyone with questions, checks-in volunteers daily, takes late registrations and payments from parents, assists directors with daily duties, and is the medical tent for minor injuries, etc. Volunteers must be personable, helpful, multi-taskers, and clear-headed in emergency situations.
- Community Night Volunteer: Community Night helpers are present under the tent on Wednesday night to help with set-up, serving refreshments, greeting families, and clean-up. People who like to socialize and meet new people, but can’t assist with VBS during camp hours should definitely sign-up to serve in this way!
- Crew Leader: Crew Leaders are paired in teams and shepherd a small crew of elementary or preschool/kindergarten kids to different camp activity stations each day. Crews travel the church with the support and community of at least 2 other crews and their leaders. A good crew leader is a friend and helper for the kids and station leaders. They ask questions, take kids seriously, and encourage them throughout camp. Crew Leaders do not have to teach in activity stations; they provide support to the station leaders by engaging with camp activities, helping children to remain attentive and respectful, and assisting kids when needed.
- Front Entrance Greeter: The church building is locked during camp hours for the safety of all children and volunteers. The Front Entrance Greeter will sit at the main door each day to greet guests requesting entrance and guide them to their destination in the building.
- Nursery Childcare Provider: This nurturing, patient person must be at least 15 years old and excited to serve in the nursery at VBS every day with our youngest campers! (6 weeks-3 years; children of VBS volunteers who are in the church building at all times) Childcare Providers will assist the adult Nursery Coordinator with maintaining a safe, clean, and FUN environment for the kiddos! All Childcare Providers will need to be Safe Church & VBS trained and able to be on-site by 8:30 each morning. You can expect to leave by 12:30 pm each day.
- Open to Anything: This flexible person is willing to serve during the week wherever and whenever they are needed.
- Prep Helper: Prep Helpers enjoy cutting out materials for station activities, making copies, laminating, stringing name tags, labeling items, sorting t-shirts, etc. Basically, all the “behind the scenes” preparation that goes on prior to VBS to make it a successful week of camp.
- Snack Leader Assitant: The assistant snack leaders aid the snack leader in organizing and any prep work required for preparing and delivering the snacks. They also help with clean-up and preparing for the following day.
- Station Leader – Elementary BIBLE Adventures: This organized storyteller brings the Bible to life for groups of elementary kids through interactive and engaging experiences that help kids apply the word of God to their own lives. Crew leaders are there to support and assist you with the children.
- Station Leader – Elementary GAMES: These individuals are in charge of leading crews of elementary age kids in fun physical activities and discussions. You don’t need to be an Olympian, you just need to be organized energetic, and fun loving! Crew leaders are there to support and assist you with the children.
- Station Leader – Elementary Imagination SCIENCE Station: This imaginative, organized, and fun-loving leader encourages creativity and brings the Bible point to life through interactive experiments that point groups of elementary age kids to God. Crew leaders are there to support and assist you with the children.
- Station Leader – Elementary MUSIC: These energetic and organized individuals are in charge of leading crews of elementary age kids in learning the music and motions of the week. Crew leaders are there to support and assist you with the children.
- Station Leader – Preschool/Kindergarten BIBLE Adventures: This organized storyteller brings the Bible to life for groups of preschool and kindergarten kids through interactive and engaging experiences that help campers apply the word of God to their own lives. Crew leaders are there to support and assist you with the children.
- Station Leader – Preschool/Kindergarten CRAFT & Play: This creative and organized leader is in charge of managing materials and leading groups of preschool and kindergarten kids through the process of creating a variety of crafts and hands-on activities. Crew leaders are there to support and assist you with the children.
- Station Leader – Preschool/Kindergarten GAMES: These individuals are in charge of leading crews of preschool and kindergarten age kids in fun physical activities and discussions. You don’t need to be an Olympian, you just need to be organized energetic, and fun loving! Crew leaders are there to support and assist you with the children.
- Station Leader – Preschool/Kindergarten MUSIC: These energetic and organized individuals are in charge of leading crews of preschool and kindergarten age kids in learning the music and motions of the week. Crew leaders are there to support and assist you with the children.
- Station Leader – The Zen Den (Quiet Room): This person loves being with children who may need to take a break throughout the camp day due to over-stimulation or other needs. A background in special needs training is preferred.
Donate to VBS!
Supplies, snacks, & scholarship donations for VBS are greatly appreciated. Please see the rolling board in the church gathering area for specific items needed or visit stmarkscarmel.org/give to support camps financially. Thank you for your generosity!