Crocodile Dock Frequently Asked Questions
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Our VBS is small. Do I need to have a different teacher for each of the seven stations?
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Our VBS is huge! Will Crocodile Dock work with large churches?
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Am I required to have multi-age crews?
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Can kids of all ages really learn when they're in mixed-age groups? Doesn't each age group have specific educational needs?
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How does the Spotlight Drama® station work?
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Can I use the program in other ways besides the five-day format?
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Can I return opened packages for partial credit?v
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Do I really need the Bible Memory Buddies®?
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Why must I pay for each music CD? Can't I make my own copies?
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What Bible translation does Crocodile Dock use?
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What happens at a Crocodile Dock Party?
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How can I participate in the field test?
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Can’t my preschoolers just go to the elementary stations?
Why does Group always choose to present the Gospel on the fourth lesson of VBS?
Traditionally we’ve found that Day 4 is really appropriate for the Gospel presentation…here’s why: it gives crew leaders a chance to better understand where kids are at in their knowledge of and relationship with God; it gives kids who might never have heard who Jesus is a chance to ask questions, process, and learn about Jesus; it allows an additional day with crew leaders for kids who do make a faith decision. While we’ll always include a focus on Jesus as part of the Day 4 lesson, you can always add this message as your church traditions guide you.
Are there Daily Challenges this year?
No. At Crocodile Dock, kids will be on the lookout for God Sightings™. This is so much fun! Each day, kids will think of places and situations where they might see God in action—or ways they can be a God Sighting! They’ll even receive a “Watch for God” wristband as a special reminder to wear throughout the week. Crews (a group of five kids and one teenager or adult) gather every day and pass around a God Sight Light as they share their latest God Sightings. Then, each crew will bring a God Sight Light and add it to the set during Sing & Play Swamp Stomp. By the end of your VBS, you will literally see God’s light shining and expanding!
Check the Crocodile Dock catalog for more information.
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Our VBS is small. Do I need to have a different teacher for each of the seven stations?
No, because Crocodile Dock fits churches of any size! If you have fewer than 40 children, you may want all of the small groups to rotate through the stations together. With this option, each station leader will only teach his or her area one time (and may be able to teach several stations)!
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Our VBS is huge! Will Crocodile Dock work with large churches?
Of course! For up to 150 kids you'll only need one leader per station. For every additional 150 kids you'll want to add an additional station leader.
For example, if you have fewer than 150 kids in your VBS, you'll need just one craft leader. If you have 150-300 kids, you'll need two craft leaders. And, if you have 300-450 kids, you'll need three craft leaders. To be sure you have enough leader resources, plan to buy one Starter Kit per 150 kids in your program.
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Am I required to have multi-age crews?
You aren't required to group children in combined-age Bayou Crews, but we strongly recommend it because it works so well (and has been proven in field tests and real VBS programs year after year). Children of all ages help one another throughout their time together. Plus, you'll minimize discipline problems because children don't feel the need to compete with peers of the same age. If you're still skeptical, ask other VBS directors on our message boards at www.group.com/vbs.
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Can kids of all ages really learn when they're in mixed-age groups? Doesn't each age group have specific educational needs?
Studies show that children learn as much (or more!) when they're linked with kids of different ages. Think of Bayou Crews as families in which kids naturally learn with and from one another. Social skills improve, self-esteem rises, cooperation increases, and discipline problems diminish.
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How does the Spotlight Drama® station work?
Each day a group of kids visits the Spotlight Drama Station, just before games. The Spotlight Drama photographer takes pictures of kids doing actions or poses that go with a custom slide presentation (a drama or music video). Then, the photographer drops the photos into an easy-to-use presentation and...voila! Kids LOVE watching themselves onscreen!
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Can I use the program in other ways besides the five-day format?
Crocodile Dock is flexible! The Director Manual contains five format options. The choice is yours…try weekday mornings, weekday evenings, midweek clubs, day camp, Sunday mornings, or a weekend retreat! Because all ages can be in the same Bayou Crew, these options allow for the entire family to be involved.
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Can I return opened packages of product for partial credit?
We receive products prepackaged from our vendors, so we are unable to process returns of opened or partially used packages.
Great Idea! If you find yourself with a few extras, use them as special gifts or surprises for Sunday school, for siblings of students, or for those who couldn't attend VBS.
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Do I really need the Bible Memory Buddies®?
We highly recommend the Bible Memory Buddies. Each Buddy carries the day's Bible Verse and makes Bible memorization fun! It's a great year-long reminder of VBS, and kids love to share them with friends.
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Why must I pay for each music CD? Can't I make my own copies?
We are continually encouraged by churches to provide the best in recognizable, high-quality worship music. Many of these songs are owned by the original artists or other publishers, and we are required to pay them a royalty each time we distribute their songs. Group does not have the authority to grant anyone permission to copy these works. But the result is music that kids will be eager to listen to for years to come!
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What Bible translation does Crocodile Dock use?
We use the New Living Translation (NLT) because it's kid-friendly and easy to understand.
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What happens at a Crocodile Dock Party?
This half-day event gives you and your team Easy VBS training and specific strategies and tools to help you keep your children's ministry growing all year long! Your entire team will want to experience this unforgettable, action-packed event filled with wacky fun, fellowship, food, and surprises. Check the catalog or the networking page on this website for more information and locations.
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How do I get to participate in the field test?
Our VBS team plays an integral role in every field test. Editors become crew leaders, artists volunteer as station leaders, and marketing managers help decorate the sanctuary. This allows us to see each aspect of the program first-hand...and make changes during the program. Since we all jump in and get involved, we try to choose a church that's within driving distance from our northern Colorado office. Each year, we select a different host church so we can test a variety of settings, denominations, church volunteers, and kids. Field testing is part of the "secret formula" that makes each Group VBS amazing! We make the mistakes so you don't have to!
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Can’t my preschoolers just go to the elementary stations?
The activities in the elementary-age Crocodile Dock leader manuals aren’t designed for preschoolers. Instead, we’ve geared some Crocodile Dock stations to fit preschoolers’ needs and abilities. By using the activities in the Rocky’s Preschool Playhouse leader packs, you can be sure that every activity is age-appropriate and designed specifically for children 3 to 5 years old. We’ve even made Chadder’s adventures more age-appropriate. This year we’re offering two Chadder DVDs—one for elementary kids, and one just for preschoolers.
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