When school lets out and the kids start to get bored, there are plenty of ways they might try to pass the time – some entertaining, but not always purposeful.

East Texas churches, however, are planning Vacation Bible School activities for children and, in some cases, adults with the purpose of providing fun experiences while teaching about God’s word.

VBS is designed to expose students to Bible teaching in a high-energy environment where they might sing, make crafts, do drama, play games and eat, among many other activities.

This year’s most common themes appear to be “Submerged” and “Cave Quest,” with other themes including “Egypt,” “Road Trip” and “Tumbleweed Town.”

Some sessions are in the morning. Others are at night. The length ranges from one day to five days. If a parent or grandparent wanted to, they could have their child or grandchild in VBS almost every week of the summer.

Whatever your choice, this list, which is arranged by date, gives you the basic information you need about each session.

Though it includes many VBS programs in the area, it is not comprehensive. Therefore, check with other area churches to find out if they are having a session.

Most of the entries include information about the age group accepted. Those that don’t, have a phone number or website where you can go to get more information.

Though not all VBS programs require registration, some do, so it is best to call in advance to ensure your child gets to attend.

Twitter: @TMTEmily 

 

June 5-8

The Woods Baptist

4502 University Blvd., Tyler

“Submerged”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

Kindergarten through fifth grade

Register June 5 or call 903-566-5211

 

June 6-9

Colonial Hills Baptist

7330 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler

“Submerged”

9 a.m. to noon

4 years old by Aug. 31 through fourth grade completed

VBX Completed fifth and sixth grades

Go to www.colonialhills.com and click on the VBS icon to register.

 

June 6-10

Bethlehem Baptist

1121 W. Lollar St., Tyler

“Submerged”

6 to 8 p.m.

All ages, including adults

Register with Lawanna Murrell at 903-216-3021

 

June 11

J-C Cowboy Church

9530 Farm-to-Market Road 855 West, Bullard

“Tumbleweed Town”

9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Pre-K through sixth grade

Call 903-279-2611 or 903-894-7850 to preregister. If you do so by June 5, your child is guaranteed a free T-shirt.

 

June 12-15

Pine Tree Church of Christ

3221 Dundee Road, Longview

“VBS: Shine!”

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Register at www.shinevbs.com. Email wjarvis@pinetreechurch.org or call 903-759-9562 for more information.

 

First Baptist Church Gilmer

217 W. Cass St.

“Submerged”

6:30 to 8:45 p.m.

To register, contact Pat Ellison at 903-843-2572 or email pellison@fbcgilmer.org

 

June 12-16

Lake Athens Baptist Church

5151 Farm-to-Market Road 2495, Athens

“Cave Quest”

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Preschool through sixth grade

Register at www.lakeathensbaptist.com

 

East Mountain Baptist Church

315 East Mountain North, Gilmer

“Submerged”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

For all ages including adults

Register at www.eastmountainbaptist.org

 

June 13-16

Green Acres (Main Campus)

1697 Troup Highway, Tyler

“Road Trip”

8:30 a.m. to noon

Kindergarten through fifth grade completed

Register at www.gabc.org/children or call 903-525-1122

 

Calvary Baptist Church

Corner of Farm-to-Market Road 2685 and U.S. Highway 80, Gladewater

“Submerged”

6 to 9 p.m.

Pre-K through fifth grade completed

Register the first day

 

Bethel Baptist Church

13108 Texas Highway 64 East, Tyler

6 to 8:30 p.m.

Register from 10 a.m. to noon, June 11

Call 903-566-2642 for more information.

 

June 13-17

Green Acres (South Campus)

1010 County Road 137, Flint

“Submerged”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

4 years old to sixth grade

Register with Randee Cheatham at 903-787-8807

 

Longview EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church)

3800 Judson Road, Longview

“Everest”

9 a.m. to noon

3 years old to fifth grade completed

Register by June 6 at www.epclongview.org

 

Holly Tree Chapel

1620 South Farm-to-Market Road 2869, Holly Lake Ranch

“Ocean Commotion”

9 a.m. to noon

Children K5 through fifth grade

Register at 903-769-3501

 

June 19-23

Calvary Baptist Church

4715 Tenneryville Road, Longview

“Submerged”

5 to 8 p.m., June 19; 9 a.m. to noon, June 20-23

3 years old through sixth grade completed

Register June 19

 

June 20-22

Faith Baptist

405 S. Hart St., Quitman

“Submerged”

5 to 7:30 p.m.

Pre-K through fourth grade

Register with Shirley at 903-569-4672

 

June 20-23

Southern Oaks Baptist

601 E. Amherst Drive, Tyler

“Submerged”

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Pre-K5 by Sept. 1 to sixth grade

Register at www.welovethegospel.com

 

June 20-24

Mt. Carmel Baptist

10519 Farm-to-Market Road 344 East, Whitehouse

“Submerged”

9 a.m. to noon

4 years old through sixth grade

Register at www.mcbcwhitehouse.com or call 903-839-2606

 

First Baptist Church Tyler

301 W. Ferguson St.

“Submerged”

9 a.m. to noon

Completed kindergarten through fifth grade

Go to www.fbctyler.org and click on VBS link to register or call 903-595-1021

 

Pine Springs Baptist

2155 County Road 334, Tyler

“Cave Quest”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

Kindergarten through sixth grade

Register at 903-592-0218

 

Southside Baptist

8875 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler

“Cave Quest”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

4 years old to sixth grade completed

Go to www.southsidetyler.us and click on “Events – VBS” in menu tab

 

London Baptist Church

10855 S. Main St., New London

“Submerged”

9 a.m. to noon

Kindergarten through fifth grade completed

Register the first day or go to www.londonbaptist.org and click “Info Center-VBS Registration” for form.

 

Crossroads Church

13730 Texas Highway 155 South, Tyler

“Submerged”

6 to 9 p.m.

Register at www.ccctyler.org or call 903-939-9400 for more information.

 

Friendly Baptist Church

1903 E. Front St., Tyler

“Submerged”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

Kindergarten through sixth grade completed

Register at http://www.friendlybaptist.org/vacation-bible-school3

 

Holly Brook Baptist

3219 S. Farm-to-Market Road 2869, Hawkins

“Submerged”

9 a.m. to noon

Open to children starting at 4 years old

Go to www.hollybrookbaptist.org or call 903-769-2091 for more information.

 

June 23-25

Calvary Assembly of God

1723 E. Front St., Tyler

“A Superhero Kid’s Crusade”

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 23-24

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 25

Ages 5 to 12

Go to www.calvaryagtyler.com or call 903-597-6120 for more information.

 

June 26-29

Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church

202 East Longview St., Arp

“Submerged”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

3 years old through sixth grade 

Call 903-859-4951 for more information.

 

June 26-30

Woodland Hills Baptist Church

2105 East Loop 281, Longview

“Finding Jesus”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

For all ages including adults

Preregister at http://whbchurch.com/vacation-bible-school-2016/

 

June 27-30

Trinity Lutheran Church

2001 Hunter Street, Tyler

“Cave Quest”

6 to 8 p.m.

For all ages including adults

Preregister at www.tlctyler.org. Look for the VBS banner on the slideshow.

 

June 27-July 1

Athens First Assembly of God

1310 S. Palestine St.

“Ocean Commotion”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

Ages 6 to 11

Call 903-203-2275 for more information.

 

Christ Church

VBS will be at All Saints Episcopal School

2695 SSW Loop 323, Tyler

“Cave Quest”

9 a.m. to noon

Entering 4K through fourth grade

Go to www.christchurchtyler.org and click on “Children’s Ministry,” then “VBS” to register.

 

July 9

Shiloh Road Church of Christ

1801 Shiloh Road, Tyler

“Walk this Way!”

8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

3 years old by Sept. 1 to entering fifth grade

Go to Walk This Way – VBS Day! on Facebook and click on the link in the “Details” section to register.

 

July 10-13

Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church

8720 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler

“Cave Quest”

6 to 8 p.m.

Kindergarten through fifth grade

Call 903-561-5703 for more information.

 

July 10-14

First Baptist Church

212 Dallas St., Winona

“Cave Quest”

6:30 to 9 p.m.

3 years old through fifth grade completed

No advance registration required

 

July 11-14

Fairwood United Methodist Church

1712 Old Omen Road, Tyler

“Cave Quest”

5:30 to 8 p.m.

3 years old to fifth grade completed

Call 903-566-8067 for more information.

 

July 17-20

First Baptist Church

16844 County Road 165, Gresham

“Submerged”

6 to 8:30 p.m.

Pre-K through sixth grade

Register at 4:30 p.m. July 17 and eat hot dogs, chips or preregister at 903-561-0174.

 

July 18-22

Marvin United Methodist Church

300 W. Erwin St., Tyler

“Egypt: Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace”

9 a.m. to noon

4 years old through fifth grade completed

Go to http://marvinumc.com/ministries/children/special-events to register.

 

Faith Fellowship

5330 U.S. Highway 175 East, Athens

“Submerged”

9 a.m. to noon

Entering kindergarten through fifth grade

Call 903-677-3034 for more information.

 

First United Methodist Church

507 N. Broad St., Chandler

“Surf Shack”

5:30 p.m. dinner; 6 to 8:30 p.m. VBS

4 years old through sixth grade completed

Go to http://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/chandlerfumc. T-shirt guaranteed for those who preregister.

 

July 25-29

Pleasant Hill Baptist

13590 Texas Highway 110 South, Tyler

“Submerged”

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Call 903-561-0445 for more information.

 

Aug. 4-6

First Presbyterian Church

230 W. Rusk St., Tyler

“Building Christians on the Foundations of Jesus Christ.”

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4-5; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6

3 years old through fifth grade completed

Registration opens July 15. Visit www.fpctyler.com or call 903-597-6317.