Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary has offered Vacation Bible School reviews for more than 15 years. Beginning as an in-person “fair” and transitioning to an online-only presence in 2018, our department has spent countless hours assessing intensive, formative curricula so that hundreds of folks can rely on an authoritative assessment.

Selecting Curriculum

To make sure your curriculum choice aligns with your community’s theology, we recommend reading about the publishers. Our reviews can be found here and you can find usually find a statement of faith on the publishers website.

Want support in selecting a curriculum that offers a good fit for your context? Visit our Open Office Hours on Thursday afternoons from 1:00-2:30pm (Eastern). Register here.

Top Picks for 2022

• Church Publishing, Inc.: Arts Camp (Perennial)
• Cokesbury: Food Truck Party (New for 2022)
• Episcopal Relief & Development: The Abundant Life Garden Project (Perennial)
• Illustrated Ministry: Compassion Camp (2 Editions Available)
• Shine Curriculum: Passport to Peace (New for 2022)

Special Mention: ELCA World Hunger

ELCA World Hunger’s new VBS for 2022, Tree of Healing, is an excellent resource. We consider it a “Top Pick” for ELCA congregations. The heavy emphasis on the work of ELCA World Hunger means that it might not be transferable to other denominations.

Additional Curriculum New for 2022

• Answers in Genesis: Zoomerang
• Group Publishing Easy VBS: Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness
• Group Publishing Holy Land Adventure: Jerusalem Marketplace
• Group Publishing Weekend VBS: HayDay: Growing in Friendship with Jesus
• Lifeway: Spark Studios
• Orange: Make Waves (read our review here)
• Sparkhouse: ReNew: The Green VBS 

Additional Perennial Curriculum

GenOn Ministries
All God’s Children: The Church Family Gathers for a Blessed Summer

Global Ministries
Kids to Kids – Country Series
Kids to Kids: God’s Love Is Everywhere!

Godly Play
Christmas in July, Creation, The Golden Boxes, & More

Leader Resources
Aslan Is on the Move!
Dare to be Different
Peaceable Kingdom
Pilgrimage: Seeking the Kingdom of God
Praying All the Time
S.P.Y. Parables
Wild Willy’s Candy Factory: A New Look at the Prodigal Son
Wizards & Wonders: A Hero’s Journey with Harry Potter

Living Waters for the World (PCUSA)
Water All Around the World

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
This Changes Everything: Day Camp Bible Study

Margie Baker
Noticing God In Creation: At Home VBS For Families

Society of St. Andrew
Abundance Orchard: Where Faith Grows and Hungry People Are Fed

THE SUNDAY PAPER
God’s Garden, God’s City

Special thanks to this years reviewers: Elizabeth Walker & Sarah Bentley Allred.

Photo by Ali Kokab on Unsplash.