Post on 06-Aug-2020
Americans’ Experiences with Vacation Bible
School
Survey of 1,200 Americans
Sponsored by LifeWay Kids
2
Methodology
A demographically balanced online panel was used for
interviewing American adults
The study was sponsored by LifeWay Kids
The survey was conducted March 7-10, 2018
Quotas and slight weights were used to balance gender, age,
ethnicity, education, and region
The completed sample is 1,200 surveys
The sample provides 95% confidence that the sampling error
from the online panel does not exceed +3.0% (This margin of
error accounts for the effect of weighting)
Margins of error are higher in sub-groups
Survey Responses
4
22%
14% 13%
5% 5%
40%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Every summer
Most summers
Occasionally More than once
Once Never
60% of American adults say they attended Vacation Bible School (VBS) while growing up
Q12: “When you were growing up, how often do you recall attending Vacation Bible School (VBS)?” n=1200
5
WHO ATTENDED VBS
American Adults who
6 Among Americans who say they ATTENDED VBS when they were growing up
Typical reasons why attendees participated in VBS (Vacation Bible School)
Percent Reasons
42% My immediate family attended the church (parents, siblings)
26% The church was in (or close to) my neighborhood
25% I was invited by someone other than family (neighbors, friends)
25%
A parent or close family member was participating in the same VBS event (eg. leader,
teacher, volunteer)
23% My parents valued that which contributed to my spiritual growth
19% My extended family attended the church (grandparents, aunts)
17% My parents valued me building relationships with others in the church
17% My parents valued studying the Bible
14% I valued studying the Bible
14% I valued that which contributed to my spiritual growth
13% I valued building relationships with others in the church
13% The themes were appealing to me
12% The themes were appealing to my parents
12% It provided my parents with an inexpensive option for childcare
5% Other
Q13: “Which of the following describe the typical reasons why you participated in VBS (Vacation Bible School)
when you were growing up? (Select all that apply)” n=719
7 Among Americans who say they ATTENDED VBS when they were growing up
42% say that their family attending the church was one of the reasons why they participated in VBS when they were growing up
17%
19%
23%
25%
25%
26%
42%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
My parents valued studying the Bible
My extended family attended the church (grandparents, aunts)
My parents valued that which contributed to my spiritual growth
I was invited by someone other than family (neighbors, friends)
A parent or close family member was participating in the same VBS event (eg. leader, teacher, …
The church was in (or close to) my neighborhood
My immediate family attended the church (parents, siblings)
Q13: “Which of the following describe the typical reasons why you participated in VBS (Vacation Bible School)
when you were growing up? (Select all that apply)” n=719
8 Among Americans who say they ATTENDED VBS when they were growing up
Only 13% say they participated in VBS because the themes were appealing to them
5%
12%
12%
13%
13%
14%
14%
17%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
The themes were appealing to my parents
It provided my parents with an inexpensive option for childcare
I valued building relationships with others in the church
The themes were appealing to me
I valued studying the Bible
I valued that which contributed to my spiritual growth
My parents valued me building relationships with others in the church
Q13: “Which of the following describe the typical reasons why you participated in VBS (Vacation Bible School) when you
were growing up? (Select all that apply)” n=719
9 Among Americans who say they ATTENDED VBS when they were growing up
9 out of 10 agree that they have positive
memories about participating in VBS
46%
29%
16%
5% 2% 2% 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q14: “Overall, I have positive memories about participating in Vacation Bible School ” n=719
10 Among Americans who say they ATTENDED VBS when they were growing up
46% say spending time with kids their own age
was one of their strongest memories of VBS
8%
15%
17%
19%
20%
29%
30%
34%
37%
40%
45%
46%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
I don't recall anything specific about Vacation …
Winning prizes and toys
Making a personal spiritual commitment
Participating in snack time
Enjoying the specific theme
Memorizing Bible verses
Learning from my teachers/the volunteers
Playing games
Creating crafts
Singing songs
Learning Bible stories
Spending time with kids my age
Q15: “My strongest memories of Vacation Bible school are (select all that apply)” n=719
11 Among Americans who say they ATTENDED VBS when they were growing up
88% agree that participating in VBS as a
child helped them better understand the Bible
37%
26% 25%
6% 3% 4%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q17: “Participating in Vacation Bible School as a child helped me better understand the Bible.” n=719
12 Among Americans who say they ATTENDED VBS when they were growing up
89% agree that participating in VBS as a child
positively influenced their spiritual growth
37% 30%
21%
5% 3% 3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q18: “Participating in Vacation Bible School as a child positively influenced my spiritual growth.” n=719
13
DID NOT ATTEND VBS
American Adults who
14 Among Americans who say they DID NOT ATTEND VBS when they were growing up
31% indicate that their family not attending church was one of the reasons they did not participate in VBS
5%
7%
10%
15%
31%
31%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
My family did attend church and our church did do VBS, but I was not interested
I was not invited to participate in VBS (by neighbors, friends)
I was too busy with other activities during the summer
Other
My family did attend church but our church did not do VBS
My family did not attend church
Q21: “Which of the following describe the typical reasons why you did not participate in Vacation Bible School (VBS) when you were growing
up? (Select all that apply)” n=481
15 Among Americans who say they DID NOT ATTEND VBS when they were growing up
Only 3% indicate that the reason they did not attend VBS was because the themes were not appealing
2%
2%
3%
5%
5%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
I didn't have a way to get to VBS (no transportation)
My family had negative perceptions of “church”
The themes were not appealing
I had negative perceptions of “church”
There was not a church (or VBS) in (or close to) my neighborhood
Q21: “Which of the following describe the typical reasons why you did not participate in Vacation Bible School (VBS) when you were growing
up? (Select all that apply)” n=481
16 Among Americans who say they DID NOT ATTEND VBS when they were growing up
61% say they have a positive view about
Vacation Bible School
14% 14%
33%
11% 7%
20%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q22: “Even though I didn’t attend VBS growing up, today I have a positive view about Vacation Bible School overall” n=481
17 Among Americans who say they DID NOT ATTEND VBS when they were growing up
57% agree that participating in VBS would have helped them better understand the Bible
12% 15%
31%
11% 9%
23%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q26: “I believe participating in Vacation Bible School when I was growing up would have helped me better understand
the Bible.” n=481
18 Among Americans who say they DID NOT ATTEND VBS when they were growing up
52% agree that participating in VBS would have directly impacted their spiritual growth in positive ways
10% 13%
28%
16%
8%
25%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q27: “I believe participating in Vacation Bible School when I was growing up would have directly impacted my spiritual
growth in positive ways.” n=481
19
AMERICAN PARENTS
20 Among American parents who say they have a child (children) ages 0-18
47% of American parents say that their
children under age 19 have attended VBS
47% 53%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Yes No
Q28: “Have any of your children ever attended Vacation Bible School?” n=444
21
ATTENDED VBS
American Adults whose child or children
22 Among Americans who say they have a child who has attended VBS
26% say that being invited by someone other than family was a factor that contributed to their child participating in VBS
21%
25%
26%
27%
29%
33%
38%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Our extended family attended the church (grandparents, aunts)
The church was in (or close to) our neighborhood
My child was invited by someone other than family (neighbors, friends)
I valued studying the Bible
I valued my child’s spiritual growth
I was participating in the same VBS event (eg. leader, teacher, volunteer)
Our immediate family attended the church (parents, siblings)
Q29: “Which of the following factors contributed to your child (or children) participating in VBS?” n=223
23 Among Americans who say they have a child who has attended VBS
12% say that VBS providing them with an inexpensive option for childcare was a factor that contributed to their child participating
1%
12%
14%
18%
20%
20%
20%
21%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
It provided me with an inexpensive option for childcare
My child valued building relationships with others in the church
I valued my child building relationships with others in the church
My child valued studying the Bible
My child valued their spiritual spiritual growth
The themes were appealing to me
The themes were appealing to my child
Q29: “Which of the following factors contributed to your child (or children) participating in VBS?” n=223
24 Among Americans who say they have a child who has attended VBS
95% agree that participating in Vacation Bible School was a positive experience for their child
54%
30%
11% 4% 2% <1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q30: “Overall, participating in Vacation Bible School was a positive experience for my child” n=223
25 Among Americans who say they have a child who has attended VBS
94% agree that participating in VBS helped
their child better understand the Bible
46%
31%
17%
4% 2% <1% 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q33: “Participating in Vacation Bible School helped my child better understand the Bible.” n=223
26 Among Americans who say they have a child who has attended VBS
95% agree that participating in VBS positively
influenced their child’s spiritual growth
48%
33%
15%
4% 1% <1% 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q34: “Participating in Vacation Bible School positively influenced my child’s spiritual growth.” n=223
27 Among Americans who say they have a child who has attended VBS
95% agree that participating in VBS was one their child’s most meaningful church experiences
41%
32%
22%
4% 2% <1% 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q36: “Participating in Vacation Bible School was one of my child’s most meaningful church experiences” n=223
28
DID NOT ATTEND VBS
American Adults whose child or children
29 Among American parents who say they do not have a child who has attended VBS
29% say that their family not attending church was a reason why their child had not participated in VBS
8%
8%
13%
13%
14%
24%
29%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
There was not a church (or VBS) in (or close to) to our neighborhood
My child was not invited to participate in VBS (by neighbors, friends)
My child was too busy with other activities during the summer
Our family did attend church but our church did not do VBS
Our family was too busy with other activities during the summer
Other
Our family did not attend church
Q37: “Which of the following describe the typical reasons why your child (children) has not participated in a
Vacation Bible School event? (Select all that apply)” n=221
30 Among American parents who say they do not have a child who has attended VBS
8% say that a reason why their child had not participated in VBS was because they did not have transportation to the VBS event
2%
3%
4%
5%
5%
5%
8%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
My chilld had negative perceptions of “church”
The VBS themes were not appealing to my child
The VBS themes were not appealing
Our family had negative perceptions of “church”
Our family did attend church and our church did do VBS, but my child was not interested
Our family did attend church and our church did do VBS, but I was not interested
My child did not have a way to get to VBS (no transportation)
Q37: “Which of the following describe the typical reasons why your child (children) has not participated in a
Vacation Bible School event? (Select all that apply)” n=221
31 Among American parents who say they do not have a child who has attended VBS
83% say they have a positive view of Vacation
Bible School overall
24% 24%
35%
6% 3% 9%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q38: “Even though my child didn’t participate in VBS, I have a positive view about Vacation Bible School overall” n=221
32 Among American parents who say they do not have a child who has attended VBS
69% agree that participating would have helped their child better understand the Bible
21% 23% 26%
11% 6%
13%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q42: “Even though my child didn’t participate in VBS, I believe participating in Vacation Bible School
would have helped my child better understand the Bible.” n=220
33 Among American parents who say they do not have a child who has attended VBS
71% agree that participating in VBS would have directly impacted their child’s spiritual growth in positive ways
22% 21% 28%
11%
3%
15%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q43: “Even though my child didn’t participate in VBS, I believe participating in Vacation Bible School would have
directly impacted my child’s spiritual growth in positive ways” n=220
34
UPCOMING VBS ATTENDANCE
American Adults with Kids
35 Among Americans who indicate they have a child 0-18
64% agree that their child is likely to
participate in VBS this summer
29%
18% 17%
8% 7%
21%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q47: “My child (or children) is (are) likely to participate in Vacation Bible School this summer.” n=443
36 Among Americans who indicate they have a child 0-18
58% agree that their child is likely to participate in more than one Vacation Bible School event this summer
25%
15% 18%
10% 7%
25%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q48: “My child is likely to participate in more than one Vacation Bible School event this summer.” n=443
37 Among Americans who indicate they have a child 0-18
60% will encourage their child to participate in a VBS event at a church they do not regularly attend
25%
16% 19%
9% 9%
22%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q49: “This summer I will encourage my child to participate in a VBS event at a church that I do not regularly attend.” n=443
38 Among Americans who indicate they have a child 0-18
69% will encourage their child to participate in a VBS event at a church they don’t attend if invited by one of their friends
28%
20% 21%
9% 5%
17%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Completely agree
Mostly agree Slightly agree
Slightly disagree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
Q50: “This summer I will encourage my child to participate in a Vacation Bible School event at a church that I do not
regularly attend if invited by one of their friends.” n=443
Americans’ Experiences with Vacation Bible
School
Survey of 1,200 Americans
Sponsored by LifeWay Kids