Vacation Bible School 2025

June 23-26 (Monday-Thursday)
5:00-7:00 pm
(*light meal provided at 5:00, program begins at 5:20)

With a grand finale:
Sunday, June 29, 9:30-11:30 am

Dive into a world of excitement and adventure at our Waves of Wonder Vacation Bible School! This is a fun-filled, free event open to all children in the community. Whether you're new to VBS or a returning participant, we would love to see you this summer!

This year, Waves of Wonder promises to be a splash of fun, helping kids to discover the wonder of God’s love, deepen their understanding of the importance of water, and join God in caring for this precious natural resource through songs and drama, Bible study, art and science explorations, and active games.

Who is it for?

Children ages three years old to 5th grade
All children in the community are welcome, so invite your friends and family!

When & Where?

June 23-26, 29
Church of the Holy Nativity, 275 S. Richmond Ave., Clarendon Hills, Illinois

This event is free and open to the community! It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, have fun, and make lasting memories.

Come ride the waves of wonder with us! We can't wait to see you there!

Download Registration Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to attend?

There's no cost to attend VBS! If you'd like to contribute, please consider shopping our VBS wishlist to help us boost our decor and goodie bags: VBS Wishlist.

Do I have to be a Christian or a member of the church to attend?

No! Our program is open to our local community. While our program includes Bible passages and learning about our own Christian tradition, our daily themes are shared by many religions and value systems: hospitality, community, care for the earth, inclusion, kindness, service, justice, teamwork, healing and repair, and more! It's all about building a better world, together!

Does my child have to attend every day to participate?

Need to miss a day or two for another commitment? No problem!

While we hope your child is able to join us for the whole experience, it's no problem if there are days they can't attend. Just let us know so we can plan accordingly.

What's the Grand Finale?

Each year we invite our participants to join us for a Grand Finale on the Sunday morning following VBS. This is a chance for our congregation to have an inside look at all the fun we had and to learn with and from our young people! Photos from our week will be posted around the church. We'll have time during our church service to learn how to Keep Swimming!, followed by a special VBS coffee hour celebration. This year, we'll have water-themed snacks and activities to celebrate our week.

How does dinner work?

Don't worry about feeding your kids before you bring them! VBS will include a light meal and a snack time. The optional dinner will begin at 5:00 pm. Can't make it by 5:00? That's okay; our programming will begin at 5:20. Please let us know if your child has any dietary restrictions or food allergies.

Day 1

Making Waves

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Let's enjoy God's good creation.

Water is everywhere in God's good creation, and it's been this way from the beginning of the world! The Bible's first chapter is an epic poem that describes the wild, wonderful beauty of the world we live in--a world that began with God hovering over the waters and dreaming up something new.

Day 2

Rushing Water

Psalm 104:5-13

Let's join God in caring for the earth.

God didn't stop caring for the earth after God spoke it into being. God tends to the daily needs of each created thing--from the greatest to the least! A poem from the book of Psalms inspires us to help care for the earth, its creatures, and its water.

Day 3

Wilderness Waves

Exodus 17:1-7

Let's ask God for what we need.

We don't think of the wilderness as being a place with lots of water, but with God, all things are possible! Join the Israelites in their thirstiest moment as God shows up to meet their deepest needs.

Day 4

Waves on the Sea

Mark 4:35-41

Let's trust Jesus when life is stormy.

No one wants to be caught in a storm, but if you are, it sure helps to have Jesus in your boat. Jesus brought peace to crashing waves and speaks peace into our lives too--no matter how stormy things may be!

GRAND FINALE

Keep Swimming!

Revelation 22:1-5, 16-17

Let's receive God's living water.

The Bible not only begins with water but also ends with it--a beautiful river flowing through a city to bring food and healing. The river also brings the best news of all--God is with us! Join us for our finale celebration as we learn to take the lessons of VBS into our daily lives.