My VBS classroom

Today I went to church to start working on my VBS room. This "Boomerang Express" theme is the hardest one I think we've ever had! Even as I walked into the church, I had only a vague idea of how I was going to decorate. Usually, I have been designing my room in my head since the summer before, when Lifeway announces next years theme! (Yes, I'm a bit of a nut about VBS).
I bought random "outback" looking things yesterday. Tall grasses, twigs, tumbleweeds. And a few things from Lifeway. I had no design for any of it!!! The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to use a 10x10 pop up canopy to create an "Outback cabin" for the Bible study. Last year I turned one into a "tiki hut" for the Bible study, and it was FABULOUS! I've always heard "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!". It was with that spirit I began constructing my "cabin" today.
I am NOT finished. I still have to cut out and apply my train cut-outs to the wall. And create my "suitcases" to sit on the "porch" of my "cabin". But....I don't even have the "porch" yet! Any ideas on how to construct a lightweight roof? Or columns to hold it? That's what I'll be working on Sunday afternoon.
But I took a few pictures today to share with you all!

I covered the canopy with brown bulletin board paper, then drew the "wooden planks" freehand with a huge sharpie! I used black duct tape to hold the paper together and reinforce the entrance. I also used the duct tape to create the railroad tracks. I ran out. But I'm going to make a "switch" and have railroad tracks running to the "Outback" too. The two "bags of wool" are pillowcases filled with batting. Inside the "cabin" is shelf paper that looks like burlap. I have actual burlap, and that is what I covered the bulletin boards with, but it gets EVERYWHERE! So I opted for the rubber version!

The direction sign I traced from the overhead. Then stuck the tall grasses in foam and covered with Spanish moss. The "animal crossing" signs came from Lifeway. I constructed the "vine-like" thing from rubber twigs and stuck the inflatable koala, also from Lifeway, in it. Cam picked out the wicker balls. He said they looked like "tumbleweeds". I really wanted to find some grapevine, but saw these and just went with it!

This wall is where the train will go. The bulletin board is covered in clip art from Lifeway's website. They are logos for Sydney Harbor, The Outback, a wildlife reserve, and one looks like a postcard that says "See Australia". To keep from having a blank, whiteboard, I wrote Train Arrivals/Departures with made-up train #s, destinations, and times. I even wrote one in red, because it was "Delayed"! ha ha!
I think it is going well. I can't wait to finish it and let the kids see it!
We are going to have SOOO much fun this week! I'll be exhausted, much like I am today, but it is always worth it! VBS is my absolute favorite outreach!
Bring your kids. We will have a blast!

First Baptist Church of Jacksonville
Sun-Thu
Sunday night from 5:00PM-7:00PM
Mon-Thu8:30AM-11:30AM

See you there!!!