VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION  (COMING SOON)

VBS Jungle Guide Volunteers Needed

We need lots of helping hands to make Rainforest Falls VBS flourish! It takes 100+ volunteers during camp week, decorating days, and crafting and prep nights to help us create a wildly wonderful, faith-growing Vacation Bible School experience. When everyone pitches in, faith takes root and joy grows! VBS adult and youth volunteers are welcome to serve all five days or any of the days that work for them. Daily camp hours are 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. VBS camp volunteers may choose to serve with either
Preschool/Young 5’s or K–5 elementary divisions. Complimentary morning nursery care is available for infants and toddlers of adult volunteers, so even our youngest helpers can be cared for while grown-ups serve. Nursery care registration is included in the online volunteer sign-up.
Volunteer Training Dates
All volunteers should plan to attend one mandatory volunteer training:
Sunday May 31 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm  or Wednesday, June 3 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Preschool room director training: Sunday, June 7 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

For Adult Volunteers 18 and older

The church has a process for people working with children, youth, and vulnerable persons. This process must be completed to participate. Click the button below to complete the application.  The Volunteer Application only needs to be completed once in a lifetime. If you have volunteered in the past, you don't need to complete the application. 
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
Youth 17 years old and younger do not need a background check. Youth may put, “111-11-1111” into the social security cell in the application. The last step of the form asks for your email to send confirmation of completing the form. If you do not get to this step, please scroll back up the page to see if there is an error. The form should take less than 5 minutes to complete. Please contact Bev Richardson at brichardson@fumcbirmingham.org with questions as you go through the process. Your cooperation in this process to care for our children, youth, and vulnerable persons is greatly appreciated.

For Youth Volunteers 18 and under

Your participation in VBS qualifies for Community Service hours. Please be sure to request your letter on your last day of volunteering.

Volunteer 'Thank you' Luncheon

A “Thank You” Lunch is served to all volunteers each day of VBS. Please sign up to have lunch with us from 12:15-12:45 pm. RSVP by 6/6/25.
volunteer thank you luncheon
Jungle Guide Crew Leaders are an important part of each crew and the success of Rainforest Falls VBS. We need one Jungle Guide for each group of Rainforest Explorers, from preschool through elementary. Jungle Guides don’t need to prepare anything ahead of time—they simply show up each day ready to lead, guide their explorers through activities, help facilitate discussions, and jump right into the jungle sized fun! 5th graders get the best of both worlds—they’ll experience Rainforest Falls as Rainforest Explorers while also learning how to grow into confident Jungle Guide Crew Leaders for VBS 2027. (Regular registration applies for all 5th graders.)

5th Graders get to be Junior Crew Leaders!

Leadership Opportunities
As a Junior Crew Leader, you’ll swing into adventure while helping our Rainforest Explorers grow in faith and have fun! You’ll build leadership skills by sharing God’s love and learning how to be a crew leader while assisting an older youth leader with a Kindergarten crew. You’ll also help plant seeds of hope by organizing and gathering donations for our VBS mission project and lend a helping hand in the jungle kitchen on Wednesday by assisting with snack prep for all our explorers.  Junior Crew Leaders are important guides who help make each day a wildly wonderful adventure.
Junior Leaders will:
  • Attend mandatory training to be ready for the rainforest journey
  • Help organize daily crew jobs so everyone knows how to pitch in
  • Lead God Sightings discussions and assist younger children with tasks that may be tricky
  • Serve snacks and optionally help lead prayer time
  • Join in games, activities, and discussions with a joyful, enthusiastic attitude—leading by example all week
Special Events
(RSVP required for all events except the Canopy Closing)
Monday, June 15 – Thursday, June 18: Enjoy jungle lunch together after VBS each day.
Friday, June 19 – Canopy Closing: Celebrate a week of wild, faith-filled adventure as we honor our Junior Crew Leaders for their leadership and service.
Friday, June 19 | 12:00–2:00 p.m.: Help clean up decorations and supplies, then enjoy a pizza lunch to celebrate a week well-explored!
volunteer thank you luncheon & teardown RSVP

6th Grade and older: Crew Leaders!

Leadership Opportunities
As a Crew Leader, you’ll guide a crew of 3–6 children through our rainforest adventure, helping them grow in faith, confidence, and friendship. You’ll build leadership skills by sharing God’s love, encouraging curiosity, and setting a  positive example—while earning community service hours along the way. Crew Leaders are the heart of each crew, helping each day run smoothly and joyfully. 
Crew Leaders will:
  • Attend mandatory training
  • Organize daily Crew so everyone can participate
  • Encourage discussion, curiosity, and confidence while assisting younger children
  • Support Station Leaders and help with activities and challenges
  • Guide God Sightings discussions
  • Help serve snacks and optionally lead prayer
  • Join in all games and activities with a joyful, positive attitude, leading by example
Special Events
(RSVP required for all events except the Canopy Closing.
Monday, June 15 – Thursday, June 18: Enjoy jungle lunch together after VBS each day.
Friday, June 19 – Canopy Closing: Celebrate a week of wild, faith-filled adventure as we honor our Junior Crew Leaders for their leadership and service.
Friday, June 19 | 12:00–2:00 p.m.: Help clean up decorations and supplies, then enjoy a pizza lunch to celebrate a week well-explored!
volunteer thank you luncheon & teardown RSVP

High School, College & Adult Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities:
  • preschool room directors (college & adult only)
  • crew leaders
  •  station leaders
  • floaters & helpers
  • nursery care
  • kitchen volunteers
  • band members
  • craft night volunteers
  • decorating day volunteers
  • clean-up crews
  • décor transportation (volunteers to help take decorations to their next home)

VBS Sunday Volunteers:
Sunday, June 21 at the 10:00 am worship service
  • greeters
  • set-up and tear down crew

Can’t Volunteer but Still Want to Help?

Volunteering but Want to Do More?

At Birmingham and Berkley First, we know that VBS holds a special place in many hearts. Over the years, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends have experienced the joy, wonder, and adventure of VBS. Perhaps you, yourself, attended VBS as a child, or you volunteered when your own children or grandchildren were young. Maybe you currently have loved ones—children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or friends—attending VBS, but for various reasons, you’re unable to volunteer. We completely understand! And perhaps you’re already planning on volunteering but would like to do even more—we understand that, too! If you would still like to have a special part in contributing to a Rainforest Falls VBS adventure, and help nurture children’s faith to grow strong, please prayerfully consider our Rainforest Falls VBS 2026 Decorating Wishlist. By donating, lending, or purchasing needed supplies from our list, you will help bring our lush jungle, cascading waterfalls, and rainforest wildlife to life! We know there is already a cost for a child to attend VBS, yet there are still many other expenses beyond the program fee. Any extra support through donations is always appreciated. Our wish list will be continually updated with new supplies as the week approaches—so check back often to see how you can help. We thank you for your continued support of our Children and Family Ministries and for helping make Rainforest Falls VBS a faith-filled, fun, and unforgettable adventure!