Vacation Bible School is a powerful week—kids hear the gospel, sing, build friendships, and learn God’s Word. A mission project adds a vital dimension: it turns learning into loving action. When children serve others in tangible ways, they see that following Jesus reaches beyond the church walls and into everyday life.

This evergreen guide helps you plan and communicate a mission project any year, with any theme, in any context. Use it as a repeatable framework—and pair it with customizable templates to keep messaging clear for families and volunteers.

Why Mission Projects Matter (Year After Year)

1. They Teach Generosity
   Children discover that small gifts add up when everyone participates. A coin drive, item collection, or service challenge shows how cheerful giving can make a real difference.
2. They Build a Heart for Others
   Serving helps kids develop empathy. When they give to peers and neighbors—local or global—they connect names and stories to needs, growing in compassion and maturity.
3. They Connect Kids to God’s Mission
   Mission projects reinforce that the gospel is for every tribe and nation and every neighborhood. Kids experience the joy of sharing God’s love in practical, age-appropriate ways.
4. They Engage Families
   Clear, simple action steps invite parents and caregivers to participate at home—packing a kit, praying over a list, or setting aside coins at dinner.

Choosing a Mission Project: A Simple Decision Grid

Use these evergreen criteria to pick a project you can run any year:

• Alignment: Does it match your church’s values and discipleship goals?
• Child-Friendly: Can kids grasp the “why” in one sentence and help in practical ways?
• Tangible Outcome: Can you show progress visually (thermometer, map pins, supply pile)?
• Trusted Partnership: Is there an established local ministry or vetted global partner?
• Feasible Logistics: Is collection, storage, and delivery realistic for your space and team?
• Dignity & Sensitivity: Does the project respect the people served—no savior language, no invasive photos, no assumptions?
• Follow-Through: Can you report back results and stories responsibly (with permission)?

Evergreen Project Ideas (Local & Global)

These examples stay relevant year after year—adapt to your context and partners:

Local/Community

• Backpack or school supply drive for neighborhood students.
• Hygiene kits for shelters or transitional housing.
• Snack pantry for a partner school or after-school program.
• Baby care bundles (diapers, wipes, ointment) for a crisis pregnancy or family support center.
• Community clean-up or beautification day with notes of encouragement to residents.

Global/International (via trusted, vetted partners)

• Clean water or filter kits for communities without reliable access.
• Bed nets to help prevent mosquito-borne illness.
• Scripture engagement or children’s Bibles in appropriate languages.
• Educational support packs (notebooks, pencils, crayons) coordinated through a partner already on the ground.

Tip: Offer two options—one local and one global—and let kids see how both are part of God’s big mission.

How to Communicate Your Project Clearly

1) One-Sentence Purpose
“Together, we’re helping local students start school ready with supplies.”

2) Specific, Simple Ask
“Bring 1 spiral notebook per day (or $1/day) to your crew leader.”

3) Visual Progress Tracker
A poster thermometer, supply wall, or jar count builds momentum.

4) Family Handouts & Emails
Use concise, repeatable language. Include drop-off locations, deadlines, allergy/quality notes, and partner details.

5) Age-Appropriate Storytelling
Share short, dignifying stories that focus on hope and partnership—not pity. Avoid sharing identifiable photos of minors without written permission.

6) Transparent Handling
Explain how funds/items are counted, stored, delivered, and reported. Post a brief summary when the project concludes.

Run-of-Show: A Reusable Weekly Plan

• Before VBS:
  • Choose the project and partner.
  • Prepare bins, labels, and progress tracker.
  • Train volunteers on messaging and logistics.
  • Send a pre-event announcement to families.
• Day 1: Cast the vision in a 60-second spot. Hand out the family sheet.
• Days 2–4: Celebrate milestones daily (brief stage update or slide) and remind of the next item/goal.
• Day 5: Celebrate the total; pray for the people served and your partner organization.
• Post-VBS: Deliver items/funds; share a simple report with families and the congregation; send thanks to volunteers and your partner.

Ethics, Safety, and Good Practice

• Dignity first: Use respectful language and images. Emphasize strengths, not deficits.
• Permissions: Obtain written consent before sharing photos or names; follow your church’s photo policy.
• Money handling: Use two adults for counting; document totals; deposit promptly; provide a summary.
• Quality control: Only collect items your partner requests; avoid off-list donations that create burdens.
• Sustainability: Prefer projects coordinated by ongoing partners to ensure wise distribution.

Sample Messaging You Can Reuse

Announcement (60 seconds):
“Kids, this week we get to serve together! Our VBS mission project is simple: we’re collecting school supplies for students right here in our community. Bring your items to your crew leader each day. Every notebook and pencil shows God’s love in a practical way. Let’s see that supply wall fill up!”

Family Handout Blurb:
“This week’s mission project supports local students through our community partner. Each day, your child can bring the suggested item or a small gift toward bulk purchases. We’ll celebrate progress daily and share a final report after VBS.”

Volunteer Script:
“Thank you for giving! Today’s item is crayons. Drop them in the color-coded bin for your crew. If you forgot, no worries—bring it tomorrow or give $1 to the crew bucket. Let’s cheer as we add to the tracker!”

FAQs (Evergreen)

Q: What if families can’t give?
A: Participation is always voluntary. Encourage kids to contribute a drawing or prayer card; celebrate every form of generosity.

Q: Cash or items—what’s better?
A: Ask your partner. Some projects benefit from bulk purchasing; others truly need specific items.

Q: How do we avoid donation fatigue?
A: Keep the ask simple, celebrate progress briefly each day, and focus on one project at a time.

Use Templates to Save Time (Editable Every Year)

• Family flyer & take-home note (clear ask + QR code for giving).
• Volunteer quick-reference (daily item list, drop-off points, scripts).
• Stage slides (purpose, daily goals, progress).
• Thank-you/impact report (what was given, where it went, what’s next).

👉 Download the VBS Mission Project Template “For Rainforest Falls VBS 2026”—add your church name, partner details, and schedule; print or share digitally.