VBS is now a night thing

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Searching for Jesus this summer?

Try looking under "Crocodile Dock." Or, take a ride on "Boomerang Express."

Either way, be sure the younger kids have had their afternoon naps.

Not only has Vacation Bible School gone hi-tech -- with themed sessions, detailed decorations, even costumes in some cases -- more and more churches are offering evening sessions, with weeknight start times at 6, 6:30, even 7.

VBS 2.0 is a p.m. thing.

Yakima Valley pastors point to several factors for switching from the morning or afternoon to night. The availability of volunteers is the main one.

Most VBS programs are run by volunteers, often upwards of 30 or 50 -- even 100 at some of the area's larger churches. With more families in which both parents work full-time, it's easier -- particularly at smaller, often rural churches -- to find people to staff programs in the evening.

It's also easier for many working parents, some of whom are also single parents, to get their kids to and from evening programs.

Kids' schedules -- filled with sports, summer camp, day camp, day care, swim lessons, other activities, and family vacations -- are another factor. Vacation Bible School competes for their time.

"Kids are busy," says the Rev. Steve Trotter, pastor at Naches Presbyterian Church. Evening is "convenient."

Plus, cool evening temperatures make outdoor playtime breaks more bearable. During a summer day in the Yakima Valley, "It's hotter than an oven."

Evening VBS isn't new at Trotter's church, which will hold its program -- "Crocodile Rock: A Journey through the Holy Land" -- from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17-20.

"I wish I could say it was my great idea," says Trotter, who's been the pastor at Naches Presbyterian for seven years. But, "As long as I've been here it's been in the evening.

"The evening is better," he says. "There are some adults who will leave work an hour early so they can be here to help out. It seems to work for everybody."

Wiley Heights Covenant Church made the switch to evenings five years ago. The church wrapped up its 2009 program Thursday night. Sessions ran for five days from 6:30 to 8 p.m., revolving around a Western theme and the Holy Trinity.

"We're a small congregation," says Sherrin Melcher, director of youth and family ministries. "There just wasn't enough people that didn't hold a daytime job that were able to put the program on."

Plus, "A lot of kids are in day care; they aren't available to come in the morning."

The same goes for Yakima's Mountainview Christian Fellowship, which will be holding its VBS -- "Crocodile Dock: Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light" -- from 6 to 8 p.m. July 6-10.

"It's primarily because people work during the day," says Steve Harrison, the pastor. "It's just easier to get volunteers."

VBS differs by denomination. But most churches that offer the summer sessions share the same goals: expose children to the Gospel, teach them about Jesus, have fun, and maybe recruit them -- as well as their families and possibly their friends.

In most cases, VBS is free, lasts four or five days and is aimed at children ages 4 through fifth or sixth grade. Typical activities range from singing, skits and snacks to arts and crafts and Bible stories.

But it's not your mom's VBS. These days, Vacation Bible School is big business. Christian publishers began printing VBS curricula in the 1920s. By the 1980s and 1990s, they were providing comprehensive packages, with instructor's guides, workbooks, CDs and DVDs and other materials.

"There's way more stuff you can buy," says Amy Miller, VBS coordinator at Yakima's Wesley United Methodist Church, where drama and costumes are part of the program.

"Through the evening, whether (the children) are doing crafts or recreation, their leaders are playing a role," Miller says. "That really helps them get the feel that, wow, this really happened."

Publishers won't release sales figures on their VBS products. But, according to the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, nearly 2.9 million children and youths participated in VBS at more than 25,000 churches last year.

Of those, 69 percent, or about 17,250 churches, hosted VBS in the evening. Most -- 76 percent -- lasted five days. But many -- 17 percent -- run fewer than five days.

VBS at Naches Presbyterian runs four days and attracts approximately 25 to 40 children. It used to run five days. But, Trotter says, "We found that attendance dropped off on Friday."

So did Yakima's Wesley United Methodist. The church began offering its five-day VBS from Sunday through Thursday instead of Monday through Friday.

"We lose too many people on a Friday night," says Miller, who has two children -- a fourth-grader and a kindergartner -- in the VBS program.

This year, Wesley United Methodist will host its session -- "Rome: Paul and the Underground Church" -- from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 19-23. This is the fifth year the church has offered VBS at night.

"Basically, the reason was we were able to have more people available to help out in the evening," Miller says. "It's worked very well for our church. We're a smaller church."

Last year, about 40 children participated, says Miller, adding, "They go home exhausted, past their bed time."

A doctor's wife in New York City is largely credited with hosting the first VBS in 1898. Today, the Southern Baptists, who operate LifeWay Christian Resources, one of the world's largest providers of Christian products and services, say Vacation Bible School is one of their most effective evangelical tools.

Their publishing arm provides Christian literature to thousands of churches nationwide, including those of different denominations. The Australia-themed "Boomerang Express" is one of its programs. In it, children -- referred to as "kidaroos" -- rotate through stations such as the "G'Day Cafe," "Recreation Rock" and "Music Opera House," and teachers are called "Outback Guides."

Yakima's Trinity Family Fellowship will be offering the program from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 6-10. Fifty to 60 kids usually attend, according to youth pastor Christopher Ward.

"It's easier to have it at 6 because you've got people getting off of work that can help out with stuff," says Ward, who's worked at Trinity about a year now. The church began offering evening VBS before he was on the job.

"It's an opportunity for kids to learn about God, and that's something we don't take lightly," he says. "It's something we can use as a church to let the community know where we are and what we're about."

His hope: Kids will come home, right in time for bed, buzzing about God and the "Boomerang Express."

* Material from the Associated Press was included in this report.

* Adriana Janovich can be reached at 509-577-7653 or ajanovich@yakimaherald.com.