• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Building Faith

Building Faith

A Ministry of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Who We Are
    • Our Writers
    • Author Guidelines
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • ARTICLES
    • ARTICLES BY TOPIC
    • MOST RECENT ARTICLES
  • EN ESPAÑOL
  • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • Episcopal Teacher
    • Choosing Curriculum
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Signs of Life
    • Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
    • 5 Marks of Love
    • Growing a Rule of Life
    • It’s Time To…
  • SUPPORT US
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/VBS - Vacation Bible School/VBS and Summer Camp Curriculum Top Picks for 2023

VBS and Summer Camp Curriculum Top Picks for 2023

Building Faith’s annual VBS curriculum review is here! If your community is gearing up for a summer Vacation Bible School or camp program or is still undecided about offering one this year, this article may help you discern the kind of formation opportunities that will minister best to your community this summer.

Our Review Process

Below you can access the Building Faith team’s reviews of eight Vacation Bible School and summer camp curriculum options that are new for 2023. They are ordered alphabetically by curriculum title. These reviews are based on publisher’s website content, sample materials that are available for free, and videos (mostly on YouTube), rather than on comprehensive examinations of the full curricula. In our evaluation process, we considered six interrelated dimensions:

  1. Theological messages
  2. Engagements with scripture
  3. Approaches to learning and formation
  4. Language and practices regarding inclusivity and representations of diverse human identities and experiences, especially in relation to race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and economics
  5. Attention to social justice, service, and creation care
  6. Program structure and logistics

Our assessments highlight what the curriculum does well and what could be improved. We offer our recommendations and critical feedback in a spirit of compassion and dedication to enriching faith formation for all people in liberating, life-giving ways. As always, we encourage you to reflect on the gifts, needs, values, and commitments of your ministry context in order to discern which curriculum may be best for your community.

Our Top Picks

This year’s top picks for new VBS and camp curricula are:

  • “Changemakers Lab“ by Brethren Press and MennoMedia
  • “InsideOut: FruitFULL Faith“ by Chalice Press
  • “Operation Restoration: Mending God’s World“ by Augsburg Fortress

In these options, we tended to encounter theologically constructive messages; coherent program designs in connecting the theological themes with scripture; attention to diversity, inclusivity, and representation of historically underrepresented groups; approaches to formation that encourage exploration; and helpful director and leader resources. While these curricula also have areas for improvement even within these dimensions, we think that their theological structure and values lay helpful groundwork for developing a VBS or camp.

To learn more about these programs and to read our full reviews, follow the links above for each curriculum.

Additional Reviews

We also reviewed these new curriculum options:

  • “Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity“ by Group
  • “Hero Hotline: Called Together to Serve God“ by Cokesbury
  • “Pets Unleashed: Where Jesus Cares ‘Fur’ You“ by Group
  • “Ready, Set, Move: Follow Jesus Here, There, and Everywhere“ by Orange
  • “Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light“ by Group

As we studied their content and design, however, we found significant issues that pose obstacles to cultivating empowering, hospitable, and meaningful faith formation spaces. Therefore, we do not recommend using these resources.

To learn more about these programs and to read our full reviews, follow the links above for each curriculum.

A Forthcoming Curriculum to Watch For

A final new curriculum option for 2023 deserves mentioning:

  • “Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs“ by Illustrated Ministry

As of this article’s publication date, the complete curriculum and samples haven’t yet been released, so we cannot provide a comparable review of this curriculum. However, we do want to offer a preview of the forthcoming program based on the information currently available from the publisher.

To learn more about this curriculum, follow the link above.

Is your community considering a VBS or summer camp program this year? What resources are you using or looking for? Leave a comment below!


Editor’s Note: Thank you to Sarah Bentley Allred, Katie Beth Miksa, and Elizabeth Walker for their involvement in conducting and producing this review.

Featured image is by Steve DiMatteo on Unsplash

Print PDF

March 13, 2023 By BuildFaith Editors Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Children & Family, Choosing Curric Popular, Choosing Curriculum, Featured, Intergenerational, Ordinary Time, Summer Camp, VBS - Vacation Bible School, VBS Formation, VBS Popular, Youth Ministry Tagged With: camp, children's ministry, curriculum, family ministry, intergenerational, resources, summer, summer camp, VBS, youth ministry

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Subscribe to Building Faith

You’ll get new articles, plus free weekly updates in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. View our privacy policy here.

Search Our Site

Search by Topic

New Articles

Church Participation in Pride Events: Why and How to Show Up

Every summer many municipalities, large and small, offer festivals, worship services, and parades to …

Continue Reading about Church Participation in Pride Events: Why and How to Show Up

Summer Formation Bingo: A Family or Church-wide Challenge

As the daylight creeps longer and trees begin to blossom, I put away our boots and mittens for …

Continue Reading about Summer Formation Bingo: A Family or Church-wide Challenge

3 Planning Suggestions for Overwhelmed Formation Ministers

Recently I attended a conference on children and youth formation practices. It was a joy to meet …

Continue Reading about 3 Planning Suggestions for Overwhelmed Formation Ministers

Footer

Keep In touch

  • Email
  • Facebook

Upcoming Webinars

Eventbrite Registration

Building Faith

Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

Copyright © 2023 · Building Faith · A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

Design by Blue+Pine Creative, Inc.

Subscribe to Building Faith

Get Articles and Resources by Email

Privacy Policy