Q: When can I register my child?
A: We are excited to welcome everyone to Crossroads VBS 2010 - ROAR! We are registering based on the following schedule:
- April 1: Volunteers (18+ serving 5 days) & Crossroads Attending Families
- April 15: Community & Friends of Crossroads
We need many helping hands to make this week a meaningful one for our children. You do not need to be a member at Crossroads in order to volunteer! Please consider "giving back" to the VBS program by volunteering as a crew guide this year. Join us as we build memorable relationships, help each other learn and grow, and have lots of fun!
Q: In what grade should I register my child? Will my child be part of the preschool group or elementary group?
A: Please register your child based on the grade they just completed for the 2018-2019 school year. The preschool program is for 4 and 5 year olds who have not yet attended kindergarten. Preschoolers should be 4 years old by June 1, 2019. If your child is older than 5 and has NOT yet attended kindergarten, they will be in the preschool group. If they have just finished kindergarten, they will be in the elementary group. If your child has finished 5th grade, they will be placed in an elementary group. Only those who have finished 6th grade and up are permitted to serve as a volunteer.
Q: How do I know that my child is registered?
A: You will receive a confirmation email immediately after a registration is successfully submitted. Your child is NOT registered if you do not receive this confirmation email. If possible, register using a laptop or desktop computer instead of a mobile device.
Q: When and where do I drop off/pick up my child?
A: The VBS program begins at 9:00 am each morning, and concludes at 12:00pm each day with closing music and a group activity in the gym. Please feel free to come back around 11:45am to enjoy this part with us!
On Monday morning, our doors open early at 8:30 so that we have plenty of time to check in your children and make sure they get to the appropriate location. On Tuesday through Friday, we welcome our VBS participants after 8:45am; please do not drop off your children earlier than this time, as we will not have volunteers available to supervise children prior to 8:45.
Q: Why are the crews mixed age groups?
A: Older children enjoy "cool kid" status and glow with pride as they help younger children with more difficult tasks. Younger children feel accepted and looked out for. Discipline problems practically disappear because peers aren't showing off for each other or vying for attention. It's a wonderful way to make kids feel at home, and you'll be amazed at the warm relationships that form among the crew members!
Q: My summer plans have changed at the last minute - should I let someone know that my child won't be at VBS?
A: Yes, please contact our registrar, Heather King (email hspacht@gmail.com or text/call 610.745.1984), as soon as possible if your child is no longer able to attend Crossroads VBS. We maintain a waitlist when our registration is full, and we will fill the missing spot!
Q: I have someone else picking up my child at the end of the morning. How will they know where to find my child, and how will the crew guide know that they should release my child to this person?
A: On your child's registration form, you should include the name and contact information of your alternate pick-up adult. If you need to add or change this information, please contact our registrar, Heather King (email hspacht@gmail.com or text/call 610.745.1984), with the correct details. On the first day of VBS, we will give each parent a "pick-up slip" with your child's name, group, and crew number, which will help you find them in the gym at the end of the morning. The pick-up slip must be presented each day to the crew guide. It is highly recommended to take a snapshot of this pick-up slip for future purposes and easy release of your child. If someone else is going to be picking up your child, you can easily text the image of the paper slip to the person who will be doing the pick-up.
Q: My child needs medicines available to them in case of emergency. How is this handled?
A: Please place all medicines in a ziplock baggie that is clearly labeled with your child's name. On the first day of registration, our nurse will be available at the registrar's desk to collect the medicine and discuss your child's needs. The nurse and parent will determine together whether the medicine should be retained by the nurse or provided to the crew guide.
Q: Can my child be with their friends or a specific crew leader?
A: When we are able, we do our best to accommodate placement requests. However, we seek to provide the best mixed crews with the children registered and the volunteers available. As we plan for several hundred participants and volunteers, it is difficult to accommodate all requests.
Q: Can my child be provided with an alternate snack?
A: There is one snack per day provided by the VBS Snack Team. Due to the volume of children attending VBS, we do not provide alternate snacks if your child does not like the snack that day. Children with documented allergies will be provided with an appropriate allergen-free snack for the day. Additionally, because we need to provide a safe environment for all children, you may not pack an alternate snack for your child due to others' allergies.