Engage your congregation in creating the decor for your Alaskan adventure as you set the scene for True North VBS or other camping/mountain themes. As I shared in my post for Scuba last year, Adopt-a-Prop has been a real gamechanger at my church as the congregation has eagerly jumped on board to each play a role in VBS decorating.
Wondering how to roll this out at your church? There are lots of approaches, but here’s what we do at our church…
Feel free to edit any of these instruction sheets directly on Canva. Make them your own!
Likewise, use this Canva template to make additional instruction sheets for the decor you need for your setting. There are so many fun ideas for how to create an Alaskan adventure! Group has even more fabulous ideas on their Tools page, so if you haven’t checked it out already, be sure to check them out.
I want to say a special THANK YOU to all the amazingly creative people from the True North VBS 2024 Facebook Group who shared their fabulous ideas and creations. This year several of us collaborated to create these Adopt-a-Prop pages (most of these are NOT mine!). I’d like to personally thank Victoria Hoppes, Tonya Breidenbach, Miranda Maples, and Jan Eide for sharing their project sheets with all of us. Also, many of the pictures that were included in these instruction sheets were from the posts of others on the Facebook group who graciously allowed me to use and share. It’s the epitome of what this site is all about…all of us sharing our ideas and resources to support one another in sharing Christ in our communities! LOVE IT!!!
These are the 20 projects that are already complete. Keep an eye out throughout May for more projects to be added.
ADOPT-A-PROP INSTRUCTION SHEETS
PDF FILE OF ALL THE INSTRUCTION SHEETS
Need a blank template to use in another design program? Here ya go!
HOW DOES ADOPT-A-PROP WORK AT OUR CHURCH?
- We decide which projects we want to include in our Adopt-a-Prop program. In addition to scouring Pinterest and Google, we pay close attention to all the amazing ideas that the Group VBS Facebook members contribute. If you aren’t familiar with this group, each year Group Publisher has a Private Facebook Group for those conducting their VBS program (this year it is, “True North VBS 2025”). If you haven’t asked to join, stop right now and do it! You will be blown away by all the amazing ideas and sharing that goes on there! Really…stop and join…NOW!
- We make instruction sheets for those projects. In addition to printing the pages to hand out, these instructions are compiled into a single pdf document that can be shared in a Google Drive file. This comes in handy for those who want to peruse all of the projects before selecting one.
- We create any files that are needed to go with the projects (pictures to cut out, silhouettes to be traced, Bible Buddies to be assembled, etc.).
- We put bags together of the supplies that we need to include with any project (instructions stapled to bags). Do we supply everything needed for every craft? Nope! We used to. But we found that many folks want to use their creativity to select their own craft materials. Some projects, however, require hard-to-find materials, items that have already been donated, materials we are re-using from a previous VBS, or supplies we have on hand. Of course we include all of these materials. We also offer to supply other materials to those who want to do a project but prefer we give them what they need.
- When we are ready to invite the congregation to participate, we create a sign-up on SignUpGenius.com. In our description/instructions for the sign-up, we include a link to a Google Drive file that has all of the directions sheets. We also include the dates when we want any projects returned to the church.
- Now we begin the promotion. Our church newsletter invites the congregation to Adopt-a-Prop. There we include the link to the SignUpGenius.
- Simultaneously, we set up an inviting, thematic display in our church atrium where we have a printed sign-up sheet, the instruction sheets for each project, and any needed bags of materials.
- I usually hang out near our display before and after our services to invite people to participate. Not everyone is geared to sign up for things online, so the in-person sign up is important.
- The rest takes care of itself! Other than making myself available if anyone has questions or needs additional supplies, most of the work at this point is being done in people’s homes.
- We do ask for an email or phone number on the sign-up sheet. That way if there are any projects that don’t get turned in by the due date, we have a way to contact the volunteer to check on the progress. We’ve had great success with our volunteers keeping their promise to complete a project, but we always allow some wiggle room in the due date in case we need to finish a project that someone couldn’t complete. Life happens so we know this could always be a possibility.
Is this the only way to do Adopt-a-Prop? ABSOLUTELY NOT! You know your congregation! Make this work for you…in your setting…with your people. The main thing is that you are engaging your congregation in being a part of something amazing! You are inviting them to share in the blessing of ministering to kids through VBS…that’s pretty doggone awesome in and of itself!
Here’s my SignUpGenius.com description from last year’s Scuba that invites people to sign up for Adopt-a-Prop. Below is an example of how I simply list each project and how many volunteers are needed. When I finish rolling out True North for my church, I’ll update these images for this year.
DOWNLOADABLE FILES NEEDED FOR SOME PROJECTS
More to come…
PROJECT #4 (& #11) CUT OUT CLIPART (& USE WITH PAPER TREES)
I always think the kids love the animals way more than the trees and mountains! Here are a bunch of Alaskan animals that can be cut out to add to your decor. Some are just the heads to have poking out between trees. Others can be pieced together to make them a bit bigger (none are giant). All are a super EASY way to pop up some animals on the walls!
PROJECTS #3 & 11 Cardboard and Paper Trees
Ready to line your walls with trees or make 3-D cardboard versions to stand around? The templates for both are in this file:
PROJECTS #9 Line Fish
Gone fishing? These are easy print and cut fish to hang them on a line. Just grab some 11″ x 17″ paper before printing (after all, it’s gotta be a big catch for VBS!).
PROJECT #15 SILHOUETTE CUT OUTS
These are also included in the decorating files on this site.
PROJECT #5 & #6 CREW SIGNS
These are also included in the decorating files on this site.
PROJECT #5 & #6 PRESCHOOL SLED DOG CREW SIGNS
These are also included in the decorating files on this site.
EASY ORDER SUPPLIES FOR ADOPT-A-PROP
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Dollar Tree’s mylar table covers are nice, but a bit fragile. If you prefer a roll of tablecover, here’s a possible option for Amazon. I haven’t purchased it, but I love the way the color appears to change with movement. I also think the silhouettes would show up well on it (unlike some of the dark blue galaxy-style tablecover rolls on Amazon…I think the silhouettes will get lost on dark backgrounds).
Kinlop Iridescent Tablecover Roll 40 Inch x 300 ft Disposable Holographic Metallic Tablecloth Bulk Plastic Laser Shiny Rectangle Tablecloth Roll for Wedding Birthday Bridal Party Decoration (Laser)
I’ve highlighted the dark green here, but if you have the budget for it, 2 or 3 shades of green makes for some beautiful forest displays. And the black works for the silhouettes!
Vanhench 36″ x 2400″ (200′) Green Wrapping Paper Jumbo Roll for Fathers Day/Birthday Bouquet Flower Crafts Moving Supplies, Solid Color Bulletin Board Paper
Your river rocks don’t need paper that’s quite so wide. Here’s an option if you don’t already have a stash.
PerkHomy 24″ x 1,440″ (120′) Light Grey Kraft Paper Roll for Craft Bulletin Board Paper Kids Art Table Covering Crafting Gift Wrapping Bouquet Packing Parcel 80GSM 55LB (Light Grey, 24″ x 120′)
If you just need fire-colored tissue paper, this is a nice pack.
Koogel 112 Sheets Orange Yellow Tissue Paper, 20×14 Inch Colored Tissue Paper Bulk for DIY Craft Gift Wrapping Birthday Holidays Weddings Decor
Sometimes you can get Home Depot or Lowes to donate the 5-gallon size paint sticks, but if not, these are a great size for the hand-held crew signs.
5 Gallon Paint Stir Sticks Bulk 17 inch, 10pc Wooden Paint Stirrers Mixing Paint, Large Popsicle Sticks for Crafts
If you are making cardboard decor, these are a must have! They will change your life (or at least save your fingers!)…really! I love mine and truly believe they are well worth the initial investment since I reuse them every VBS (and a whole lot of times in between).
SnapFresh Cordless Electric Scissors, 4V Electric Mini Box Cutter, Carpet & Cardboard Cutter Tool with a Replacement Blade/Charger, Rotary Cutter for Cardboard Packages Leather Plastic （Green）
Easy flowers! At the time of posting, these have a 40% off coupon!
Luau Party Decorations, 36PCS Hawaiian Themed Leis Necklace Costume Accessories, Colorful Hawaiian Leis Tropical Theme Silk Flower Clothing Accessories Bulk, Hawaii Flower Lays Summer Pool Supplies
16″ is a nice length for a lot of the wildflower projects.
100pcs 16″ long Bamboo Skewers Sticks for Grilling BBQ Kabob Barbecue Marshmallow Roasting Stick 4mm Thick Natural Wooden Smore Sticks Craft (16 inch)
Here’s more than enough twine for your fish line at a super reasonable price.
PerkHomy Natural Jute Twine 600 Feet Long Twine String for Crafts Gift Wrapping Packing Gardening Crochet Knitting Macrame Decor (Brown 600feet Flat)
Dollar Tree is ever-so-slightly cheaper than these, but I love the variety of purples for the lupines.
8 Crepe Paper Streamers Rolls, 656ft Pack of Purple Streamers with White for Party Decorations, Birthday Streamers, Party Streamers (1.8 inch x 82 ft/Roll)
These would be a nice blend for the goldenbanners.
8 Yellow Streamers with White, 656ft Pack of Crepe Paper Rolls for Party Decorations, Yellow Crepe Paper Streamers for Birthday and Parties (1.8 inch x 82 ft/Roll)
OK, I have to admit that as much as I love Adopt-a-Prop, this pre-made fish line is awfully tempting (and may not cost any more than my printing, twine, etc.).
2 Pcs True North VBS 2025 Fish String Hanging Banner Vacation Bible School Gone Fishing String Hanging Banner Summer Theme Party Supplies Outdoor Game Tournament Barbecue Party Backdrop Decor
We will definitely be making a bunch of Adopt-a-Prop flowers, but these may be a purchase we make for our main stage. Some others in the True North FB Group have ordered these and said they were really pleased with the look.
24 Bundles Artificial Flowers for Outdoors, Artificial Plants UV Resistant Fake Flowers Greenery Shrubs Plants for Decoration Outdoor Plants Hanging Planter Home Garden Decor
As much as we love making decor as we set the stage for True North, sometimes we need “quick and easy.” Amazon has so many items that are perfect for our Alaskan adventure. Feel free to peruse to see if anything is helpful to you.
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.
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