Guide to Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) Around Columbia

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It’s getting close to that time of the year again. Vacation Bible School (VBS)! For many families, VBS is a summer staple. And because they are so much fun and loaded with tons of learning and activities, it’s not uncommon for kids to attend more than one session at different churches. It’s a great way to make new friends and get involved in the community. All the Vacation Bible Schools listed below are FREE or a small cost to attend.


June 4-8 (Sunday-Thursday)

Lugoff First Baptist Church

(Lugoff) K3 through 5th grade, 6–8:30 p.m. Spin the spinner, beat the clock, skip ahead, level up, and play to win! Bring your A-game to VBS as we celebrate games of all kinds! We will learn that Jesus guides us through all the Twist and Turns of life!


June 5-9 (Monday-Friday)

Malvern Hill Baptist Church

(Camden) Ages 2 years old through completion of 6th grade, 6–8:30 p.m. Spin the spinner, beat the clock, skip ahead, level up, and play to win! You’ll need to bring your A-game for this VBS. Twists & Turns is a fantastical celebration of games of all kinds. From classic tabletop games to video games and more, kids will play their way through VBS while learning that Jesus guides them through all the twists and turns of their lives. They’ll find that even when they mess up it’s never “game over.”

GraceChurch of Columbia

(Downtown Columbia) Ages 4 years old through 5th grade, 6–8 p.m. Get those creative juices flowing at Spark Studios! Use your talents to bring glory to God. Bible stories, crafts, snacks, music, and games.


June 10 (Saturday)

Cherokee Baptist Church

(Gilbert) Ages rising 4K through rising 6th grade, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. The day will be filled with crafts, singing, games, and of course, The Word, as we explore our theme, Come to the Water. Lunch and a snack will be provided. The event is free but please sign up to attend.


June 11-14 (Sunday-Wednesday)

Holland Avenue Baptist Church

(Cayce) Ages 3 years old through 8th grade, 6–8 p.m. It’s going to be stellar! 


June 11-15 (Sunday-Thursday)

Trinity United Methodist Church

(Blythewood) Ages 4 years old through rising 6th grade, 6–8:30 p.m. Launch kids on a cosmic quest where they’ll have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world. Stellar rockets kids on an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun.

Ebenezer Lutheran Church

(Downtown) All ages, 6–8 p.m. A light meal will be served between 5 and 6 p.m., with the program beginning at 6 p.m. There will be a concurrent program for adults.


June 12-15 (Monday-Thursday)

Mt. Horeb UMC

(Lexington) Ages 4 years old through completion of 5th grade, Three sessions offered: 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m., 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Stellar VBS where kids (and adults) shine Jesus’ light! It’s a week full of Bible stories, crafts, songs and snacks! Online registration closes June 1 at 11:59 p.m.


June 12-16 (Monday-Friday)

Round Hill Baptist Church

(Lexington) Ages 3 years old through 5th grade, 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m., 3-4-year-olds will be dismissed at 8 p.m. This year’s theme is Leading Out Loud: Leading Others Through Biblical Examples (Proverbs 31:8-9). On this five-day biblical journey, VBS Adventurers™ will learn about leadership, purpose, and overcoming obstacles with God as their guide!


June 18-21 (Sunday-Wednesday)

Union United Methodist Church

(Irmo) Ages children through 5th grade, 6:15–8 p.m. We are moving and grooving this year with “Ready, Set, Move: Follow Jesus Here, There and Everywhere!”


June 19-22 (Monday-Thursday)

Edmund First Baptist Church

(Lexington) Ages 5K through 6th grade, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided!

Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church

(Lexington) Ages rising 4K through 6th grade, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Twists & Turns – Following Jesus changes the game!

Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church

(Irmo) Ages 4 through 11th grade, 5:15 p.m.–8 p.m. Dinner provided at 5:15 p.m. Theme is Food Truck Party: On a Roll with God


June 19-23 (Monday-Friday)

First Presbyterian Church of Columbia

(Downtown Columbia) Ages 4 old through 5th grade, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity 

Spring Valley Baptist Church

(Northeast) Ages entering kindergarten through completed 7th grade, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Spin the spinner, beat the clock, skip ahead, level up, and play to win! You’ll need to bring your A-game for this VBS. Twists & Turns is a fantastical celebration of games of all kinds. From classic tabletop games to video games and more, kids will play their way through VBS while learning that Jesus guides them through all the twists and turns of their lives. They’ll find that even when they mess up it’s never “game over.”

Red Bank United Methodist

(Lexington) Ages 3 years old through rising 5th graders (All children must be fully potty trained), 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join us for a Stellar VBS as we learn to Shine Jesus’ Light. Every night we will have music, bible lessons, games and science experiments. 


June 25-29 (Sunday-Thursday)

Oakwood Baptist Church

(Lexington) Ages 4 years old to 5th grade, 6–9 p.m. Huzzah! It’s time to charge into medieval times- a world brimming with breathtaking castles, regal kings and queens, fire-breathing dragons and brave knights, and epic battles. Vacation Bible School at Keepers of the Kingdom will be an adventure filled with excitement. Children will learn how they can be part of God’s kingdom through salvation in his Son and will be equipped with the armor of God to become Keepers of the Kingdom who stand strong in today’s battle for truth!


June 26-29 (Monday-Thursday)

Gateway Baptist Church

(Irmo) Ages 3 years old through completed 5th grade, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Mega Camp is our take on summer VBS – we have worship, small groups, crafts, games, and a WHOLE lot of fun! 

Shandon Baptist Church

(Columbia) Ages completed 5 year old kindergarten through completed 5th grade, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. The theme is Ready, Set, Move: Follow Jesus Here, There, and Everywhere.


June 26-30 (Monday-Friday)

Northeast Presbyterian Church

(Northeast) Ages 3 and potty trained 3 through rising 3rd graders, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and rising 4th grade through 6th grade, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Huzzah! Are you ready to become Keepers of the Kingdom and stand strong in today’s battle for truth? Join us as we engage in an epic battle for the hearts and minds of our youth! Put on the full armor of God and get ready for the battle between truth and lies, light and darkness, and good and evil.

Grace Baptist Church

(West Columbia) Ages K4 through 6th grade, 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. With Keepers of the Kingdom, your kids will learn how they can be part of God’s kingdom through salvation in his Son and will be equipped with the armor of God to become Keepers of the Kingdom who stand strong in today’s battle for truth.


July 10-12 (Monday-Wednesday)

Grace Presbyterian Church

(Elgin) Ages just completed K4 through 5th grade, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Theme is Be a Champion for Christ. 


July 10-14 (Monday-Friday)

Beulah United Methodist Church

(Gilbert): Ages 3 years old through rising 6th grade, 5:30 p.m.–8 p.m. Theme is Hero Hotline: Called to Serve God Together.

St. Joseph Catholic Church

(Downtown Columbia): Ages K5 through 5th grade (there is not a set minimum age, but children must be potty-trained to participate), 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Launch kids on a cosmic quest where they’ll have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world. Stellar rockets kids on an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun.


July 16-19 (Sunday-Wednesday)

Northside Baptist Church

(West Columbia and Lexington) Ages rising K5 through rising 5th grade, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Mark your calendars for Summer Fest 2023! Register today to get your child’s spot locked in for all the fun and games all while learning about God and his love for us! Our primary goal is to connect kids into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We know that through this relationship, we can lead them to a better future.

Trenholm Road United Methodist Church

(Downtown Columbia) Ages rising 4K through 6th grade, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Theme is Ready, Set, Move: Follow Jesus Here, There, and Everywhere.


July 17-21 (Monday-Friday)

Harvest Church

(Lexington) Ages 1st through 5th graders, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Rising 1st-5th graders will discover how special they are to God and how wild it is that they can share their story, use their gifts, spend time with God and with others. Kids will be divided into groups by grade and spend their day playing games, singing songs, making crafts, eating snacks, and being inspired to practice spiritual truths that will bring them closer to Jesus


Do you know of additional VBS options in the Midlands? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to our list! 

6 COMMENTS

    • Great! Thanks for sharing! Do you have additional details like ages and time, or a link? We looked on the website, but only saw information about a VBS volunteer meeting. Thanks!

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