Planning Calendar

Use this planning calendar as a step-by-step guide for planning your God’s Big Backyard VBS. See the Director’s Guide for even more details.

Director’s Planning Calendar

5 to 6 Months Before God’s Big Backyard

  • Pray that God will have His hand on every aspect of your program.
  • Select a director and codirector(s).
  • Order God’s Big Backyard Starter Kit (09800) or Power Pak (09817).
  • Determine how you will use God’s Big Backyard. The materials are flexible, and you can choose how (and where) to have VBS. Consider the options suggested in the Director’s Guide.
  • Set goals!
  • Set the dates!
  • Set the times!
  • Begin to build excitement within the children’s ministry team!

4 Months Before God’s Big Backyard

  • Continue praying for God’s Big Backyard.
  • Meet with your codirector(s).
  • Attend a VBS preview at your local Christian bookstore. Check for a preview location near you, or call 1-800-543-1353.
  • Recruit coordinators, teachers, and site leaders.
  • Set your budget.
  • Choose which service or mission projects kids will participate in at God’s Big Backyard. Set goals. Plan to incorporate this into your Community Corner time. (See the ideas included in the Community Corner Leader’s Guide, 09838).
  • Plan your publicity campaign. Recruit a publicity director and use the Publicity CD, 09821.

3 Months Before God’s Big Backyard

  • Continue praying for God’s Big Backyard.
  • Meet with your codirector(s).
  • Order God’s Big Backyard materials and classroom supplies. (See God’s Big Backyard Planbook.) Order early! Some quantities are limited.
  • Begin recruiting backyard crew guides and additional volunteers as needed.
  • Organize staff.
  • Plan the preregistration event and closing program.
  • Begin the publicity campaign.

2 Months Before God’s Big Backyard

  • Continue praying for God’s Big Backyard.
  • Meet with your codirector(s).
  • Plan the daily schedule.
  • Make room assignments.
  • Work with your supply coordinator and other leaders to create lists for gathering craft, refreshment, decorating, and other supplies.
  • Arrange needed transportation.
  • Continue your publicity campaign.
  • Continue recruiting crew guides and additional volunteers.
  • Plan the training sessions you will lead for teachers, site leaders, and crew guides.
  • Discuss your plans for follow-up.

1 Month Before God’s Big Backyard

  • Continue praying for God’s Big Backyard.
  • Meet with your codirector(s).
  • Hold scheduled training sessions for teachers, site leaders, and crew guides.
  • Meet with each teacher or site leader.
  • Continue your publicity campaign.
  • Continue working with the appropriate leaders on the preregistration event and closing program.
  • Begin preregistration.
  • Check donated supplies and purchase additional supplies as needed.
  • Finalize decorating plans for Backyard Bash (main assembly area), classrooms, and other sites.
  • Finalize plans for set-up.

As God’s Big Backyard Nears

  • Continue praying for God’s Big Backyard.
  • Check and double-check planning calendar lists.
  • Continue publicity. Hold a God’s Big Backyard preregistration event.
  • Check your preregistration count. Make sure you have planned adequately for supplies. Prepare It's Your Serve Name Tags (09859).
  • Decorate Backyard Bash assembly area, classrooms, and other sites.
  • Plan and set up your registration area. Be prepared to check in children who are walk-ins, as well as those who have preregistered.

During God’s Big Backyard

  • Continue praying for God’s Big Backyard.
  • Coordinate the program.
  • Be enthusiastic! Smile!
  • Keep good records.
  • Lead or attend staff devotions.
  • Communicate daily information needed by staff.
  • Set up a first-aid site. Keep registration forms with emergency information near this location.
  • Be available to answer questions.
  • Assist with all discipline problems and emergency situations. Have someone available to run errands.
  • Send home information about service or mission projects.
  • Advertise the closing program and Backyard Block Party follow-up event.
  • Prepare and distribute certificates and other award items.
  • Make sure volunteers clean their areas after the last day’s activities.

After God’s Big Backyard

  • Give thanks to God for all that was accomplished through God’s Big Backyard.
  • Gather leftover supplies and return borrowed items to their owners.
  • Implement your follow-up program.
  • Evaluate God’s Big Backyard.
  • Let people at your church know what happened at God’s Big Backyard.
  • Express appreciation to all staff.
  • Compile all records. Include publicity samples, financial records, staff and student lists. Note adjustments that may be needed in schedules or other areas of concern.
  • Begin praying for your next summer ministry event that will touch the lives of young people!