PLANNING CALENDAR - 1 Week Prior

 
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  1. Three to Six Months Before Power Lab
  2. Two to Three Months Before Power Lab
  3. Eight Weeks Before Power Lab
  4. Four Weeks Before Power Lab
  5. Two Weeks Before Power Lab
  6. One Week Before Power Lab
  7. During Power Lab
  8. After Power Lab

One Week Before Power Lab

Assign kids to Lab Crews.

If you're using VBS Web Toybox, this step is automatically done for you! If not, photocopy the "Lab Crew Roster" from the Director Manual. You'll need one roster for each crew. Using the preregistration forms you've received, assign children to elementary and preschool Lab Crews. Each Lab Crew should have no more than five children with one adult or teenage Lab Crew Leader. Be sure that each preschool Lab Crew has a mix of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds.

Here are some additional guidelines for assigning crews:

  1. Fill in the "Lab Crew Roster" in pencil-you'll probably make changes as you work.
  2. Whenever possible, place a child from each age level in each Lab Crew. If the age distribution at your program is uneven, include as wide an age range as you can. Guarantee success for everyone involved by not forming single-age Lab Crews.
  3. Include a good mix of boys and girls in each Lab Crew.
  4. If a child is bringing a friend, assign the two children to the same Lab Crew if possible. If a child is bringing several friends, assign pairs of kids to different Lab Crews.
  5. In general, it works best to assign siblings to different Lab Crews. However, you know the children in your parish; use your judgment as to whether siblings should be together.
  6. If you anticipate behavior problems with certain children or have children with special needs, assign them to Lab Crews that have more experienced adult Lab Crew Leaders.
  7. If you have children who are particularly helpful or cooperative, assign them to Lab Crews that have teenage Lab Crew Leaders.
  8. Remember to leave open spaces in a few crews for kids who haven't preregistered. Your goal is to make sure each crew only contains five children.
  9. After you've assigned elementary children to Lab Crews, assign each crew to one of four larger groups. (Remember, one-fourth of the kids at VBS travel together at a time.) Label these four groups A, B, C, and D-or use your creativity to name them something that fits the Power Lab theme, such as molecules, neutrons, protons, or atoms. Lab Crews travel with their larger groups as they visit the stations each day. For more information about assigning Lab Crews to groups, see your Director Manual.
  10. Once you've finished assigning crews, double-check that you haven't forgotten anyone or double-booked anyone.

Meet with station leaders again.

Check with leaders to make sure they have all the required supplies, and answer any questions they may have. Work together to smooth out any last-minute details.

Decide when and where station leaders and Lab Crew Leaders will meet each day.

It's a good idea to have your staff arrive early on Day 1 to greet children and assist with registration. Be sure each Lab Crew Leader has a large sign with his or her crew number or crew name written on it.

Help station leaders decorate their rooms.

Use the decorating ideas found in the colorful VBS catalog and leader manuals to turn your parish into a wacky science lab.

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