Planning for this year’s VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL has begun!

Please mark your calendars for the following dates and see future bulletins for more details:

April 6 – April 25: Early Registration begins for volunteers who can help all week
April 26 – 27: Main Registration Weekend for students and volunteers after all Masses
June 23 – 27, 9 AM to 11 AM each day: VBS 2025 True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World
(Please Note: On Friday, June 27, we will have a closing program and potential picnic for families that will last until noon.)

Vacation Bible School is a wonderful adventure, filled with awesome Bible-learning experiences that the students will see, hear, and touch! You will not want to miss this amazing adventure. Students will gather as crews to begin and end VBS each day, then attend Breakout Sessions for the Level I or Level II program depending on the age of the children.

• Level I is for children 4 years old (by June 30) through entering 1st grade for the 2025 – 2026 school year
• Level II is for children entering 2nd through 6th grade for the 2025 – 2026 school year.
• A Nursery will be provided for children under 4 (through June 30) for parents/grandparents/caregiver who volunteer.

Have questions:
● Volunteers Questions can be directed to Abby Vandyke, abbyvandyke2@stthomasgr.org.
● Supplies Questions can be directed to Nicole Mey at nicolejstrobel@gmail.com.
● Any other question can be directed to John Paul and Christina Strobel at (616) 591-8725 or vbs@stthomasgr.org.

Youth Volunteer Guideline Sheet:

Adult Volunteer Information:

Any adult volunteer must complete the diocese Safe Environment Youth Protection (VIRTUS) program. If you have not completed VIRTUS training before, please register at www.virtusonline.org and select the Grand Rapids, MI (diocese) option. If you have a student who may have just turned 18, please make sure that they attend. If you have completed VIRTUS training but at a different parish, please login to your account and add St. Thomas as one of your selected parishes. Please contact Abby Vandyke or Pam Strobel (at the Parish office) if you have any questions.

If you have children under the age of 4, we do have a great childcare program available for the children (including babies) of volunteers. We offer as much as possible a one-to-one child/caregiver ratio, the air-conditioned comfort of the kindergarten and preschool rooms in the Ministry Center, outdoor play time, and snack.

There is no charge to attend VBS. We just ask families to contribute needed supplies for the program as they are financially able.

Please email vbs@stthomasgr.org if you have any questions.

If you do not have a Media Release on file with Saint Thomas Parish or School, we need this form completed in order to permit your child to attend VBS.