Anchored VBS 2020

Eden Church of Edwardsville

Check It Out!


At Anchored Vacation Bible School (VBS), one Bible Point is carefully integrated into each station's activities for unforgettable Bible Learning.

  • Bible Point: God is faithful
  • Key Bible Verse: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." (1 Chronicles 16:34)

What does Anchored VBS look like?

  • We start each day by gathering all ages together for our opening Music & More. They will learn the Bible Point and Bible verse and worship with upbeat songs.
  • After our opening activities, crews (a group of children with an adult or high school leader) will split into stations. Kindergarten-5th grade crews will all have a chance to complete Deep Bible Adventures, Sea Crafts, and Anchors Away Play, while the Little Fins Preschoolers will participate in their own crafts, games, and Bible learning. 
  • We all come together again after station time for our Coral Reef Closing. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to join in our closing activities each day.
  • On Sunday at Eden Church's combined worship service, we will take time to share our amazing weekend with the congregation. Join us as we teach our newly learned songs to others and watch a slideshow of our undersea fun!

How old does my child need to be to participate?

Elementary children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade will get to participate in Anchored Weekend VBS.

Children ages 3 (and potty trained) through 5 who haven't completed kindergarten will have a special Anchored program of their own: Little Fins Preschool!

Both age groups can sign-up through this website's participation link.

Is your child older, but want to participate? We have wonderful opportunities for students to help as a volunteer. Check out the volunteer description above for more information.

What is a crew? 

Crews are groups of three to five children with an adult or teenage leader. Each crew will have one child from each age level and this will be your child's "family" during our VBS event. On Day one, kids will report to their assigned crews right away to start getting acquainted. They will work closely together at each station and, we pray, will form long-lasting relationships. 

Why will we be using mixed-age crews? When kids are grouped in age-grade groups, there's more emphasis on comparison and competition, but by placing children in mixed-age crews, you nearly eliminate the unspoken desire for kids to compare or compete. Instead, older kids help younger ones with challenging tasks and younger kids seek to emulate the older, "cool" kids in their crews. This also encourages new relationships, reduces discipline problems, and helps crew leaders lead effectively. 

Does Eden Church's Anchored VBS cost anything? 

  • No! This is a completely FREE event! 
  • However, t-shirts are a great way to help everyone remember their powerful time at Anchored VBS. These themed shirts are gray with the Anchored VBS logo on the front. If you would like to purchase one for your child, select a size from the registration page and you'll be able to pick up and pay for your shirt on Day 1 of VBS. Sizes and prices are listed below. 100% preshrunk cotton.

T-Shirt Sizes and Prices

Child XS (2-4), Child Sm (6-8), Child Med (10-12), Child Lg (14-16): $5.50

Adult Sm (34-36): $7.00

Adult Med (38-40), Adult Lg (42-44): $9.00

Adult XL (46-48): $10.00

How can I volunteer?

  • To see the descriptions of all of the volunteer opportunities, click on "Learn More" under the Documents section of the home page of this website. Some are supporting roles and others include teaching, so anyone can help! When you sign-up, you can choose multiple areas you are interested in and your role will be given at the volunteer training (see below).
  • If you're ready to sign up, click on "Volunteer Registration" on the home page of this site. Next click the drop down list under "What Position Are You Interested In?" Read the descriptions of each area and choose one where you feel comfortable. 
  • If you're volunteering, then mark your calendar! There will be a volunteer training on Saturday, June 20th from 9:00a - 11:00a to learn more about this event and your specific role. Refreshments will be available and we'll be sure to have lots of fun!
  • As a thank you for volunteering, you will get a FREE t-shirt! These shirts are green with an "Anchored Crew" design on the front. Select a size from the registration page and you'll be able to pick up and pay for your shirt on Day 1 of VBS. Sizes and prices are listed below. 100% preshrunk cotton.

I can't help with volunteering, but how can I still support this ministry?

If you'd like to donate to this awesome ministry, please click on the "Donate Now" button on the home page of this website. Once you get to Eden's online donation page, change the location of the funds from "to General Fund" to "Special Project Donations". Then, in the comments section, be sure to write "VBS". Thank you so much for your support!

If you have any other questions, please contact Eden Church's Anchored VBS Director, Susan Newby, at family@edenchurch-edw.org.