As school lets out for the summer, churches around Tucson will transform gymnasiums and sanctuaries into desert islands and whitewater rivers.
Vacation Bible school is upon us.
These mostly weeklong camps entertain kids with Bible stories, sports, crafts, snacks and songs — giving mama a few blessed hours of peace. It's basically summer Sunday school.
Some of the programs are free; many cost between $10 and $15 a kid. A good number will take your preschoolers.
Since almost all of them require advance registration if you're interested, we've included links on where to do that below.
We're also fairly certainly this isn't a comprehensive list, so if we've left a VBS out, email jwillett@tucson.com. We'll update the list.
NOTE: We organized these by date.
22nd Street Baptist Church
When: June 4-8, 5:45 to 8:15 p.m.
Where: 6620 E. 22nd St.
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Age 3 through fifth grade
Cost: Free
More info: Visit 22church.com/ministries/vbs
Alive Church
When: June 4-8, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 9662 N. La Cholla Blvd.
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Ages: 5 to 12
Cost: $15
More info: Visit alivechurch.com/vbs
Calvary Oro Valley
When: June 4-8, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 6901 N. La Cañada Drive
Theme: Rolling River Rampage
Age: Preschool to fifth grade
Cost: $15 per child, includes a T-shirt
More info: calvaryov.com/vbs
Catalina United Methodist Church
When: June 4-8, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 2700 E. Speedway
Theme: Rolling River Rampage
Age: 3-10
Cost: Free
More info: Go here
Christ Community Church
When: June 4-8, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Where: 530 S. Pantano Road
Theme: The Imperishables
Age: Kindergarten through fourth grade graduates
Cost: $15 after May 18; $10 prior
More info: Go here
Desert Skies United Methodist Church
When: June 4-8, 9 a.m. to noon or add the full-day option for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 3255 N. Houghton Road
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Pre-K through fifth grade for half day; second grade graduates through ninth grade for full day
Cost: $10 for half day; $50 for full day, including lunch
More info: Visit desertskiesumc.org/event/summer-camp
Desert Son Community Church
When: June 4-8, 9:15 a.m. to noon. Sign up for the adventure camp after VBS so your kids can hang out until 5:30 p.m.
Where: 5250 W. Cortaro Farms Road
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Potty-trained kids 3 to sixth grade
Cost: $5 per child; $10 per family. Plus $85 per child if you want to add adventure camp.
More info: Space limited. Visit Desertson.org
Mountain View Baptist Church
When: June 4-8, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 3500 W. Overton Road
Theme: Game On: Gearing up for Life's Big Game
Age: Kindergarten through sixth grade graduates
Cost: Free
More info: Visit mvbctucson.org/vbs-info-registration
New Life Bible Fellowship
When: June 4-8, 9 a.m. to noon
Address: 4900 W. Cortaro Farms Road
Theme: Game On: Gearing up for Life's Big Game
Age: Age 4 to entering sixth grade
Cost: Free
More info: About 30 spots available. Visit newlifetucson.com/childrens
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
When: June 4-8, 9 a.m. to noon. From 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., kids can also sign up for drama Kids International. There's also a sports VBS camp 1 to 4 p.m. the week of June 18.
Where: 8051 E. Broadway
Theme: Rolling River Rampage
Age: Second through fifth graders for VBS; entering kindergarten through 12th grade for drama camp; kindergarten through fifth grade for sports VBS.
Cost: $15 per child; max cost of $40 per family. Plus $30 per kid for drama camp. VBS sports camp costs $50.
More info: Visit stpaulsumctucson.org
Tucson Church International
When: June 4-8, 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: 3198 N. Flowing Wells Road
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: 3-12
Cost: $15, includes T-shirt
More info: Go here
University City Church
When: June 4-8, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 604 N. Sixth Ave.
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Potty-trained 3-year-olds through kids entering fifth grade
Cost: $15; includes T-shirt
More info: Visit ucitykids.com/vbs-2018
Victory Worship Center
When: June 4-6, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 2561 W. Ruthrauff Road and 2350 W. Tangerine Road in Oro Valley
Theme: Kids Blast
Age: 4 to 12
Cost: $10
More info: Visit vwcaz.org/kidsblast/
Fountain of Life Lutheran Church
When: June 6, 13 and 20, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: 710 S. Kolb Road
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Camp for the whole family
Cost: Free; includes dinner
More info: Visit follutheran.org
Calvary Tucson East
When: June 11-15 , 8:30 a.m. to noon
Address: 8711 E. Speedway
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Kindergarten through fifth grade graduates
Cost: $10
More info: Visit calvarytucson.com/vbs
Casas Adobes Congregational Church UCC
When: June 11-14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; June 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: 6801 N. Oracle Road
Theme: Babylon: Profiles in Courage
Age: 4-11
Cost: $40; sign up by May 31
More info: Go here
El Camino Baptist Church
When: June 11-15 , 8:30 a.m. to noon
Address: 7777 E. Speedway
Theme: Summer Science Spectacular
Ages: Kids entering first through eighth grades. There is also a program for kids for 3- and 4-year-olds and kindergarten newbies from 8:30 a.m. to noon June 11, 13 and 15.
Cost: $45 per child. Preschool program costs $30 per child.
More info: Visit elcaminochurch.org/youth/special-events/sss
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
When: June 11-15, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 1200 N. Campbell Avenue
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: 3-11
Cost: $25; register by June 2
More info: Go here
Tucson Mountain Baptist Church
When: June 11-15, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Where: 5757 W. Ajo Highway
Theme: Game On: Gearing Up for Life's Big Game
Age: Potty-trained 3-year-olds through eighth grade graduates
Cost: Free
More info: Go here
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Sahuarita
When: June 14, 21, 28, July 5, July 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 17675 S. La Cañada Drive in Sahuarita
Theme: Youth CrossFitness Camp
Ages: 7-13
Cost: Free
More info: Availability limited. Visit gracelutheransaz.org/events
Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church
When: June 18-22, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 2331 E. Adams St.
Theme: Livin' on a Prayer
Ages: 4-14
Cost: Free; includes lunch
More info: Go here
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
When: June 18-22, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 9252 E. 22nd Street
Theme: Hero Central: Discover Your Strength in God
Age: Nursery through 12th grade
Cost: $15 per child; $25 for two children; $40 for three or more children
More info: Go here
Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church
When: June 18-22, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Where: 5360 E. Pima St.
Theme: Babylon: Daniel's Courage in Captivity
Age: Elementary-aged kids
Cost: Free
More info: Go here
Common Ground Church
When: June 20-23 , 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: 15490 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd.
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Age 3 to fifth grade graduates
Cost: Free
More info: Visit commongroundarizona.com
Book of Life Community Church and Congregation Beth Sar Shalom
When: June 25-29, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 2151 N. Palo Verde Blvd.
Theme: Passport to Peru: Discovering God's Good Gifts
Age: Potty-trained 3-year-olds to age 12
Cost: Free
More info: Go here
Calvary Tucson West
When: June 25-29 , 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Address: 5170 S. Julian Drive
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Kindergarten through fifth grade graduates
Cost: $10
More info: Visit calvarytucson.com/vbs
Sabino Road Baptist and Desert Hope Lutheran churches
When: June 25-29, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 2710 N. Sabino Canyon Road
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Age: Age 4 through fifth grade graduates
Cost: $20 for first child; $15 for additional children in the same family; include T-shirt, CD of music and materials
More info: Go here
Northminster Presbyterian Church
When: July 9-13, 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Where: 2450 E. Fort Lowell Road
Theme: Splash Canyon: God's Promise on Life's Wild Ride
Ages: Age 4 through fifth grade graduates
Cost: $15
More info: Visit npctucson.org/connect/children/vacation-bible-school
Northwest Community Friends Church
When: July 9-13, 6-8 p.m.
Where: 5950 N. La Cañada Drive
Theme: Star Words: A True Hope
Age: 5 to 11
Cost: Any donation
More info: Visit tucsonfriends.org/vbs-sign-up
Pantano Christian Church
When: July 9-13, 9 a.m. to noon for VBS; June 18-22, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. for fine arts camp
Where: 1755 S. Houghton Road
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus for VBS; Star Quest: Search for the Stolen Scriptures for fine arts camp
Age: Age 3 through kindergarten graduates for VBS; second through fifth graders in fall 2018 for fine arts camp
Cost: $42 and register by July 1 for VBS; $90 and register by June 1 for fine arts camp
More info: Visit pantano.church/summer — you'll also find some day camps to check out there, too.
Maranatha Ministries
When: July 9-13, 6-9 p.m.
Where: 334 W. Los Reales Road
Theme: Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus
Ages: 4 to 12
Cost: $10
More info: Visit vbspro.events/p/events/maranatha-ministries
Catalina Foothills Church
When: July 11, July 18, July 25 and August 1, 6-8 p.m.
Where: 2150 E. Orange Grove Road
Theme: Operation Arctic
Ages: Age 4 through fifth grade. There are also adult class going on simultaneously and childcare provided for younger children of parents taking a class.
Cost: Free
More info: Visit cfcpca.org/summer-nights
