Every church runs Vacation Bible School a little differently. Some prefer a quick 15-minute rally to get kids moving, while others stretch theirs to 30 minutes with skits and extra songs. There’s no single “right” way to do it.
That’s why it’s helpful to start with a sample rally order—a framework you can adjust to your tradition, space, and team. Use this as a guide, and then make it your own.
Opening Rally (20–25 minutes, flexible)
Welcome & Hype (2 minutes)
Start with upbeat background music and enthusiastic greetings. Some churches add decorations, a mascot, or bubbles at the entrance to build excitement before the rally even begins.
Music & Motions (3 minutes)
Most churches begin with a theme song. Leaders up front should model motions with smiles—this sets the tone and gives kids something to follow.
Pledges (5 minutes)
Many churches include the pledges to the American flag, Christian flag, and Bible here. Others skip pledges or move them to the closing rally so parents can see them.
Mission Offering (5 minutes)
Introduce your mission project and invite kids to bring their offering. Some churches highlight the mission in the opening, others wait for the closing rally to make it more celebratory. Starting after Day 1, ask: “Who did a job to earn money for our mission?” Let a few kids share quick stories.
Bible Point & Animal of the Day (3 minutes)
Reveal the daily Bible truth and introduce the theme animal or mascot. Some churches make this more interactive with a puppet or a short skit.
Song with Motions (3 minutes)
Choose another high-energy song tied to the Bible Point.
Prayer & Transition (2–3 minutes)
Pray for the kids and leaders. Use a music cue or short “transition stinger” to send crews into their rotations.
Closing Rally (20–30 minutes, flexible)
Welcome Back & Recap (3 minutes)
Bring everyone together and review the Bible Point of the day.
Song Review with Motions (5–8 minutes)
Sing 1–2 favorites from the day. Many churches also use this time to rehearse songs for the end-of-week family celebration.
Bible Story Tie-In (3–5 minutes)
Reinforce the lesson with a short recap, testimony, or skit.
Mission Offering Update (3–5 minutes)
Announce the total raised that day and the running total. Celebrate with clapping, cheering, or a “goal thermometer” graphic. Some churches make this the highlight of the closing rally so parents can join the excitement.
Closing Song (3 minutes)
Use either the theme song or a more worshipful option to end with focus and joy.
Prayer & Dismissal (2–3 minutes)
Pray together, then dismiss with upbeat exit music to keep energy high as families leave.
Variations You Can Try
- Missions: Place the offering in the opening or closing rally depending on where it fits best for your church.
- Pledges: Keep them, move them to the closing, or skip them altogether depending on your tradition.
- Skits & Puppets: Many churches use skits in the opening rally to introduce the theme, while others save them for the closing recap.
- Length: Adjust timing—smaller churches often run 15-minute rallies, while larger ones may use 30 minutes.
Final Thoughts
This sample rally order is simply a starting point. Every church culture, team, and group size is different. Feel free to swap songs, shorten sections, or add creative elements like skits or theme mascots. The most important thing is consistency—when kids know the flow and leaders feel prepared, the rally becomes one of the highlights of the day.
👉 Want something you can hand to your leaders? Download our free Rally Order Guide PDF with space for notes so directors can write out exactly what they plan to say.