Assemblies
Daily Assemblies
One of the most exciting parts of Operation Arctic is the opening and closing assembly time. Each day begins and ends with an assembly of all classes and includes an array of activities. (See below.) The assemblies can be led by the VBS director, children’s pastor, music coordinator, drama director, a volunteer, or a combination of these.
Assembly Activities
Welcome
Welcoming everyone to VBS is the first thing we do at Operation Arctic. And since first impressions are so important, our “welcome” includes some humor and a quick introduction to the day’s theme.
Top of the World Tunes
Kids love to sing, and kids love song motions. That’s why we do both at Operation Arctic. The Top of the World Tunes CD features fun songs that reinforce the spiritual theme. See the Music Leader Set (either contemporary or traditional) that is included with a Super Starter Kit for a Music CD (stereo, split-track, instrumental-only versions of each song), Hand Motions DVD (instructional videos of the motions for each song, along with hand motion videos), and Resource DVD-ROM (featuring lyric videos, HD versions of the hand motions videos, presentation images, and PDFs of the song lyrics). Sheet music, student CDs, and songbooks are also available.
Additionally, included in the Super Starter Kit is a Memory Verse Songs Leader Set. This features each of the main memory verses set to fun, upbeat music by JumpStart3 (contemporary) or Majesty Music (traditional). Singing Scripture is an easy and exciting way to encourage your kids to memorize their Bible verses! 
Mission Moment 
During the opening assembly, the VBS mission project is highlighted. Collecting money for Mission: Hope Excursion in partnership with Children’s Hunger Fund allows the children to contribute to the physical needs of children around the world, giving them an opportunity to hear the gospel. See the Mission Moment section for more information and the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM in your starter kit for videos and handouts.
An expanded version of this section (which includes a daily video from the Wild Brothers) is also featured in the science and craft guide. Some churches may want to have a separate mission time and only announce the total collected during the assembly time. Be sure to check with your director to find out when this will be done. 
Creature Feature
During the closing assembly, kids learn more about each day's animal pal. See the Creature Feature section for more information.
Drama 
Because each day’s drama segment is part of a continuing week-long story, it is one of the most anticipated events of VBS. The dramas are presented in the closing assembly each day. For more information about the dramas, including set design and construction and each day’s script, see the Drama section.
Cool Contests
Not only do kids love to sing, but they also love a challenge. That’s why Operation Arctic has contests each day to keep excitement running high. Contest results are presented daily during the closing assembly. See the Cool Contests section for more information.
Announcements
Announcements can be made toward the end of each opening and closing assembly and should include information about the next day’s contest and a reminder to bring mission money.
Handshakes
Check YouTube.com/AnswersVBS for a video demonstration of the daily handshakes kids will learn to help them remember the letter of the day. Remind them of the handshake at the end of the day. 
Prayer
At the end of the opening assembly, just before everyone is dismissed, ask for God’s protection and blessing on your day. At the end of the closing assembly, thank God for a good day at VBS.
Tip Corner
Use class signs to identify where each class should sit. Sign posts can be made and reused each year. 
Play VBS music before and after each assembly to enhance the atmosphere.
In preparation for VBS, have some (or all) of your leaders learn the song motions.
To add variety, wear a funny hat or bring out an interesting prop as you lead a song.

Daily Assembly Scripts
For your assembly leader, a detailed program for each assembly, including all scripted segments, is provided beginning on page 16. These include the welcomes, Mission Moments, songs, and Creature Features. These scripts are also available on the Resource DVD-ROM.
Order of Program Forms
So that your assembly leader and production crew are on the same page, blank, reproducible “order of program” forms are provided for the opening and closing assemblies on the Resource DVD-ROM. Before each assembly, insert the songs of your choice and your notes. Then photocopy the completed form and distribute to your production crew.
Cool Contests
It never fails—announce a contest, and watch kids light up! At Operation Arctic there will be daily contests running in one of three ways. Decide which option best suits your situation and plan accordingly.
Individual Effort
Each child earns points daily for the following:
Attendance
Learning the daily memory verse
Learning the daily bonus memory verse (Psalm 19:7–11 is suggested, doing one verse a day, but any verse or passages for the week can work)
Bringing a visitor
Participating in the daily special contest (see specifics below)
These points are tallied, and the child receives a prize if he or she reaches a certain point total. The Resource DVD-ROM contains a roster on which to tally the points.
Team Effort
Teams earn points as above, but all the points are tallied and scored for the whole team instead of the individual. If the team reaches a certain point total, they will receive a special prize.
Another option for team effort is to tally the team points and award prizes to the top one or two teams daily.
Whole Group Effort
All the children in VBS work together to reach a certain number of points. If they reach the goal, they receive a prize.
Daily Special Contests
The suggested daily special contests are outlined below. Communicate these clearly the day before each occurs so the children know what they need to do to earn points. The exception to announcing the contests the day before is the first one, which you’ll announce in the Day 1 opening assembly.
Day 1: Frosted Food Fun
Find a transparent plastic container and fill it with frosted oat cereal rings. Count how many are in the container, and write the total on a piece of masking tape. Put the tape on the inside of the lid for safe keeping. The first day of VBS, place the jar in a high-traffic spot along with markers, slips of paper to write guesses on, and a galvanized metal pail to put the papers in. (Make sure names are on the papers.) Announce in the opening that the contest will be going on throughout the VBS day and that the winner will be announced in the closing assembly. Allow kids to enter their guesses throughout the VBS day—one per person. Before the closing assembly, figure out who came closest to the actual number. Announce the winner in the closing assembly and have the winner take the jar. Anyone participating in this contest by putting in a guess gets credit on the team roster.
Reminder: Make sure to announce Day 2’s contest during the Day 1 closing assembly so they can work on it at home before the start of Day 2!
Day 2: Chilly Cheers
Have the kids make up songs, posters, cheers, or chants to show their team spirit. They can share these during the opening or closing assembly. Anyone participating in this contest should get credit on the team roster.
Reminder: Announce Day 3’s contest during the Day 2 closing assembly. 
Day 3: Polar Dress-Up Day
Dress-up day is always a favorite! Kids can dress up as Arctic animals (animal headband or hat, animal print bandana, animal costume, etc.), or they can also dress up in Arctic/winter garb of some kind (scarf, hat, etc.). Anyone who wears anything thematic (even if it’s just a headband or something small) gets credit on the team roster for participating in today’s contest. (Check the craft guide for a fleece headband that makes a good quick extra craft for this day. Get a group picture with everyone wearing them!)
Reminder: Announce Day 4’s contest during the Day 3 closing assembly. 
Day 4: Bible Books Challenge
For the Bible Books Challenge, see if the explorers can say the books of the Old Testament in order, the books of the New Testament in order, or all of the books. Anyone participating in the challenge gets credit on the team roster. You may want to give extra credit if they say both OT and NT. 
Reminder: Announce Day 5’s contest during the Day 4 closing assembly.
Day 5: Mission Money Mania
Bring in your final mission offering today. No amount is too big or too small! Anyone participating in this contest should get credit on the team roster—in fact, it’s fun to give double points today!
Suggested Prizes
A small sampling of available prizes includes the following (available from answersbookstore.com):
Tubular bandanas (11-5-152; 11-5-153; 11-5-154; 11-5-155)
Wristbands (11-5-083)
Stickers (11-5-088)
Puzzles (11-5-094)
Water bottle cover (11-5-081)
Pencils (11-5-085)
Carabiner (11-5-082)
Pen (11-5-086)
Puffy stickers (11-5-143)
Child backpack (11-5-144)
Coloring snow hat (11-5-145)
Notepads (11-5-146)
Scratch art (11-5-147)
Snow goggles (11-5-148)
Blizzard foam figure (11-5-149)

Check online with retailers such as Oriental Trading Company (orientaltrading.com) and Rhode Island Novelties (rinovelty.com) for inexpensive, bulk prizes such as the following. Also check with local discount retailers that sell bulk, individually wrapped candy or other edible prizes. 
Snowflake items
Metallic snowflake kazoos
Winter mitten hand clappers
Paw print stampers
Chapstick
Cross items
Bible trinkets
Swedish Fish®
YORK Peppermint Patties
Rock candy on a stick in crystal or light blue
Hershey’s kisses wrapped in silver or light blue foils
Teddy Grahams
All white Sixlets®
Christian stickers
Mission Moment
The mission emphasis to your VBS program provides an amazing opportunity for children to participate in giving to ministries that share the gospel. Check with your director to see when she wants to feature the Mission Moment—either during the assembly time or during one of the rotations.
This year, we’ve partnered with Children’s Hunger Fund to provide food and the hope of the gospel to hungry children through Mission: Hope Excursion!  
Mission: Hope Excursion
This week, we’re exploring the wonderful depths of the Bible, God’s living Word! Scripture is full of life-giving truth, and it’s how we learn to live like Jesus. In many ways, it’s our map to God’s plan for our lives and a manual for us to learn how to serve and obey Him the way He deserves. 
We’ll take a moment each day to hear from children in different parts of the world and how God is working through the local church to deliver hope to them. During the Mission Moment, each team will receive a new Hope Excursion Report, where we’ll meet a little girl or boy and learn about their life in a different part of the world.  
Living in Peru, Zambia, Nepal, Ukraine, and the Middle East, each of these special kids has a unique story of poverty and struggle. They, and kids just like them all over the world, are faced with questions of where their next meal will come from nearly every day. Not only that, they don’t know the truth of the gospel and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
There’s something you and your kids can do to help!
The Bible tells us that we should give to the poor because when we do, it is an act of love and obedience to God (Proverbs 14:31).Together, we are going to do just that by delivering hope to children all over the world!
Setting Off!  
During mission time, you and your kids will set off on Hope Excursions to support local churches delivering hope and food to children in need all over the world.  Your mission is to collect coins for meals that will be delivered in Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks. 
A Food Pak is a 20-pound box of nutritious food that is hand-delivered to the home of a needy family by a trained volunteer from a local church in their community. 
Rally your kids to raise funds for the meals that go in every Food Pak. Each meal costs only 25 cents! So, every dollar that’s raised provides four meals for hungry kids—and each meal represents an opportunity to proclaim the gospel!
EVANGELISM OPPORTUNITY: Answers in Genesis, Slavic Gospel Association, and Children’s Hunger Fund have joined forces to create gospel tracts—available in English, Thai, Russian, Spanish, and French—which are included with each Food Pak! Samples of these colorful, kid-friendly tracts are in your Starter Kit. Purchasing the English versions in bulk helps to fund the distribution of these tracts. See the VBS Resource Catalog for ordering information.
The following items are available on the Resource DVD-ROM or for download from AnswersVBS.com/CHF2017.
Printable Child Profiles—Five days of true stories about hungry kids in other countries. These exciting and educational prayer briefings will help your kids connect with the real needs of suffering children. 
Printable “Map of the World” activity sheet, featuring our excursion routes and locations of the children from our Hope Excursion Reports.
Printable Mission: Hope Excursion banner artwork.
Printable Mission: Hope Excursion artwork to help your kids track their fundraising progress.
Printable Mission: Hope Excursion fold-up coin bank for collecting coins.
In addition to the above, the following item is available on the Children’s Hunger Fund DVD-ROM that comes with your kit or to download from AnswersVBS.com/CHF2017.
Daily Mission: Hope Excursion videos
Purchasing Items
Included in your starter kit is a sample of the sturdy, pop-up Coin Pak bank made for your kids to use as they collect quarters for meals. Check with your Director for this sample. After VBS, these will be fun souvenirs that can be kept as reminders to always care for the needs of others. Coin Paks are available for purchase from Children’s Hunger Fund (order info below).
Also included in your starter kit is a beautiful, handmade bracelet from Uganda. This is Children’s Hunger Fund’s gift to you in thanks for your participation in Mission: Hope Excursion. The beads on these bracelets are rolled by hand out of magazine paper by Ugandan men and women who have been trained and given fair-wage employment through one of our trusted ministry partners in Africa. A limited number of these bracelets are available for purchase to give as prizes, souvenirs, or thank-you gifts for your volunteers. 
To order Coin Paks or bracelets, please visit ChildrensHungerFund.org/AnswersVBS. To place an order over the phone, call Children’s Hunger Fund at 800-708-7589. 
For questions regarding your Mission Moment resources, please call 800-708-7589 x 2110 or email VBS@ChildrensHungerFund.org.
Orders must be received 14 days prior to your VBS date. Available while supplies last. 
Collecting Donations
Give children their own Coin Pak bank for collecting donations. Work with your director to set up a fun area (e.g., treasure boxes) for kids to deposit their money each day as they begin VBS. Encourage your kids in the weeks leading up to VBS to save their money and then begin collecting the first day. Or plan on passing out the Coin Paks on Day 1 and begin collecting on Day 2.  
Once you’ve totaled your donations, please make out a check to Children’s Hunger Fund and indicate “Mission: Hope Excursion” in the memo area to ensure proper recognition, and fill out the Return Form (on the Resource DVD-ROM). Send your check with the Return Form (on the Resource DVD-ROM or online) to:
Children’s Hunger Fund
Attn: Mission: Hope Excursion
DEPT LA 24373
Pasadena, CA 91185-4373
Learn more about the gospel-centered mercy ministry of Children’s Hunger Fund at ChildrensHungerFund.org. 
Tracking Your Progress
To help your kids maintain their excitement for Mission: Hope Excursion, announce how many meals they provided each day. Check with your director to find out when to do this: either during this time or during the opening or closing assembly time.
Here are two fun ways to help your kids see their progress as they fundraise. 
Make your own goal tracker and update it throughout the week. Print your copy of Ryker’s Thermometer and markers (cut into five pieces). Each day, fill in the thermometer using one of the markers and write the total number of meals raised so far on the corresponding line. 
Show progress with the Mission: Hope Excursion PowerPoint slides. Update the thermometer temperature with the total number of meals raised so far.
Consider having a contest between boys and girls, or between teams, to see which group can bring in the most money. Printable artwork and PowerPoint slides for your own goal tracker are on the Resource DVD-ROM and your Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM.
The Wild Brothers
Mike and Libby Wild, along with their four sons (Morgan, Hudson, Kian, and Asher), are a missionary family with New Tribes Mission, ministering to an unreached people group in Asia Pacific. Their four sons have produced high-quality videos about their adventures living in a remote area and exploring the jungle around them. Find out more about the Wild Brothers at TheWildBrothers.com. 
In partnership with Answers VBS, they have also produced five short videos for you to share with your kids during this time. These videos are available on the Resource DVD-ROM and on AnswersVBS.com/CHF2017. 
Daily Assembly Scripts
Day 1: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
Each day, you will need two people for the Welcome. You can use teens, team guides, or your assembly leaders for this fun beginning to the day that introduces the daily teaching theme. The welcomes take between one and three minutes, depending on the day.
PROPS: Wheelbarrow, crate, or big basket; lots of books; parka or other winter clothes; Bible
PERSON 1: Comes in with a wheelbarrow, crate, or big basket full of books. 
PERSON 2: Wearing a parka and other winter clothes. Hey, there! What are you doing with that wheelbarrow of books?
PERSON 1: Well, since it’s summer and I’ve got some free time, I thought I’d do some reading. But I think the question is, what are you doing? Didn’t anyone tell you it’s summer? I think you’re rather overdressed for the weather.
PERSON 2: Yeah, but this summer, there’s something special we’re doing here around the church (or whatever the name of your ministry is). So guess what? You won’t have time to read those books just now.
PERSON 1: Oh, okay. Well, what’s so special?
PERSON 2: Points at the set, the kids, the winter clothing.
PERSON 1: Looks out as if startled. Oh, wow! I guess it’s time for Operation Arctic to begin! It’s gonna be the coolest week ever! Let me put these books back, and we can start! Starts to wheel the books off.
PERSON 2: Hey, wait a minute! Please bring those books back for a second.
PERSON 1: Returns with books. 
PERSON 2: You know, seeing those books reminds me of something. If we took all those books and stacked them up, and then we brought another load and added it to the stack, and another load, and another load, and another load, and another load, and on and on and on until we filled up this whole room, and then this whole building, and then this whole town, and then this whole state, and then this whole country, and even this whole world with books, do you know what?
PERSON 1: What?
PERSON 2: All the books in the whole world would be in one stack. But one book, and only one book, would be in another, special stack all by itself because it’s not like any other book in the world. Do you know what book I’m talking about?
PERSON 1: Kids, do you know? Hold up a Bible.
PERSON 2: Yep, the Bible! It’s the coolest book on the planet, like no other book! So let’s get Operation Arctic underway so we can learn about this coolest place, the Arctic, and this coolest Book of books, the Bible! Everybody stand up for our theme song, Operation Arctic!
Song (3 minutes)
“Operation Arctic” 
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Learn It, Love It, Live It” / T: “Choose Right”
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM. 
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide
Today at Operation Arctic, we’re learning that the Bible is the Book of books! It’s unique and full of treasures that can’t be found anywhere else. The Bible, the Word of God, tells us that one way to show we love God is to serve those who are hungry and in need. Read Matthew 25:34–46 (or shorten for your time).
All over the world, and even in our own neighborhoods, there are kids just like us whose families don’t have enough to eat every day. Jesus tells us that the poor will always be among us and that we should always be generous to give whatever we can to help them—it doesn’t matter how much we can do, only that we love our neighbor just as Jesus has loved us. Read 1 John 3:16–18.
We’re learning all about how exciting the Bible is and that it really is one-of-a-kind. But, to get the real treasure out of the Bible, we don’t just read what it says—we actually do what it says!
Jesus loved us by giving up His life for us so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life with Him in Heaven. He gave His life without asking for anything back from us. The Bible tells us to give to others because we have received, and that when we give to the poor, it is an act of love to Jesus. Read Proverbs 14:31.
Every day this week, we’re going to take a few minutes to learn more about how we can do what the Bible says and help those in need. But, we’re not going to just listen—we’re going to act on what the Bible says! So, we’re setting off on Hope Excursions to give meals to kids who don’t have enough to eat. 
We’re teaming up with Children’s Hunger Fund to deliver food and hope to children all over the world! Each day, we’ll learn about a special girl or boy in a different part of the world and the unique problems they face. Then, after learning about them, we’re going to do something to help them! 
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Bedelia” slide
Today, we’re meeting a very special little girl in South America, and we’ll see how someone’s obedience to the Bible has helped her family get the food they need. 
SHOW: Video 1—Bedelia 
Child’s Name: Bedelia 
Country: Peru
Problem: Extreme Poverty, Hunger
Peru is a beautiful country where people from all over the world go on vacation to relax and enjoy the beaches and mountains. But many of those who actually live in Peru are poor and hungry like Bedelia. 
It would be hard to go to bed hungry like Bedelia. But, like Ryker said, there’s something we can do to help. Are you ready to set off on your Hope Excursion and deliver hope to kids like Bedelia? Okay, explorers, here’s our plan. Thanks to Children’s Hunger Fund, churches deliver Food Paks to hungry kids and share the gospel with them—and we can help by raising meals to go in the Food Paks for only 25 cents for each meal!
We’re each going to take one of these Coin Paks home (show collection boxes), and you’re going to show the coin boxes to your family and friends and tell them about kids like Bedelia! Ask them to help you on your Hope Excursion by donating coins for meals—remember, every 25 cents provides one meal for a hungry child! 
Starting tomorrow, bring back any coins you’ve collected. Then, each day we’ll count how many meals you’ve raised so far! Together, we can deliver hope to kids in need all over the world. Not only are we raising meals for them to eat, but we’re also helping them hear about the good news of Jesus in the Bible! 
Send each child home with a “Bedelia” profile sheet and a pop-up coin collection bank. Sturdy, pop-up collection banks are available for purchase from Children’s Hunger Fund. See Mission Moment page for ordering instructions. Printable sheets and banks are included on the Assembly DVD-ROM.
Announcements (time varies)
Besides announcing anything pertinent to your situation, also announce that you’ll be having daily contests and explain how they work. See the Cool Contests section in this guide for more details. Announce the Cool Contest for today: Frosted Food Fun. Children guess how many frosted oat rings are in the jar. Let them know where the jar is and that the winner will be announced in the closing assembly, at which time he or she will get to take the jar home. Share that those participating in this contest by putting in a guess get credit on their team roster.
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
C: “Look in the Book” / T: “The Bible Is My GPS” / Memory Verse Song: “2 Timothy 3:16”
Day 1: Snowfall Station Closing Assembly
Song (3 minutes)
C: ”Look in the Book” / T: "The Bible Is My GPS"
Song (3 minutes)
“Operation Arctic” / Memory Verse Song: “Psalm 119:18"
Creature Feature (5 minutes)
Polar Bear
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Styrofoam ice chest (or a cooler), question cards (Resource DVD-ROM)
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
It’s time for today’s Creature Feature! Everybody ready? Then let’s start with an amazing Arctic creature—the polar bear. God thought of everything when He created polar bears. Let’s check it out as we take a COOL QUIZ!
Pull the questions out of an ice chest. Do as many as time allows and in whatever order you want. There are a lot here, so just use what you have time for. First, read the question off the card, then give them a few seconds to tell their neighbor what they think the answer is, then share the bolded information.
What color is a polar bear’s fur?
Did you say white? If you did, you’re . . . wrong! It’s not white! Each hair is really like a clear hollow tube. It just looks white because it reflects the light and gets the sun’s heat.
Also, their fur is oily and water repellent. The water doesn’t stay on them. Picture a wet dog. You know how it shakes itself to get the water off? Polar bears do that, too! Think how important that would be when you’re in the Arctic. If they didn’t, they’d get icy buildup and freeze to death!
What color is a polar bear’s skin? 
Did you say white? If you did, you’re . . . wrong! Under the fur, they aren’t white. They’re black! That’s another way God designed them to get the sun’s heat to stay warm.
And they have four inches of fat under their skin! That helps the heat stay in their bodies, too.
The combination of thick fur, reflecting light, and lots of fat makes the polar bear stay warm and toasty!
The bottoms of their paws are rough and have fur between the pads. Why do you think that would be helpful?
Did you say so they won’t slip on the ice? If you did, you’re . . . right! They also have hooked claws that dig into the ice. Another design feature that helps them not slip. God thought of everything!
And if they’re on thin ice, they spread their legs apart and get down low to distribute their weight.
Those paws are actually quite huge and out of proportion with their bodies. They’re webbed, which makes them perfect for walking on top of snow without breaking through (think snowshoes) and perfect for making good time swimming in the ocean. The size of a back paw is 13 inches long and 9 inches wide plus claws that are more than 2 inches long. Show something that size.
Their front legs act like paddles and their back legs are like their steering wheel.
And they have serious swimming skills. They can swim for days without stopping and they’re FAST! Olympic swimmers wouldn’t be able to keep up! Polar bears—6 mph, Olympic swimmers—41/2 mph.
Guess what a polar bear’s favorite food is?
Did you say seals? If you did, you’re . . . right! God gave them a special liver that helps them process all the seal fat they eat, which is very helpful to them.
What do you think a polar bear does to cool off?
It’s amazing to think they need to cool off up there in the frigid cold, but sometimes they do! God designed them with so many amazing ways to stay warm, they actually do get overheated! So one thing they do is move slowly so they won’t use too much energy. And they go swimming to cool off, just like you! Plus, they roll around in the snow.
When a polar bear stands on his hind legs, he’s about the same height as: A) a yardstick; B) a door; C) a basketball hoop.
The answer is a basketball hoop. He’s about 10 feet tall and is the largest of bears. 
A male polar bear is about the same weight as: A) a grand piano; B) a lawn mower; C) a refrigerator.
It’s a grand piano, weighing in at a whopping 1,000 pounds!
If a kid ate just bananas for a day, he would need to eat 15 to get enough calories. A polar bear would need to eat: A) 55; B) 105; C) 155. 
A polar bear would need to eat 105 bananas to get enough calories for the day!  
Usually polar bears stay pretty much alone, but what interesting thing do they do when they come together and feed once in awhile? A) slap paws; B) bump heads; C) sniff noses.
They sniff noses. Have the kids sniff each other’s noses. 
Where do polar bears live in the wild?
Did you say in the Arctic? If you did, you’re . . . right! In the wild, they don’t live anywhere else, not even Antarctica. They are unique to the Arctic.
Just as the polar bear is unique to the Arctic, the Bible is unique to all books. It’s the Book of books! And now let’s get ready to hear from our Operation Arctic drama team!
Drama (10–12 minutes)
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winner. Explain tomorrow’s contest: Chilly Cheers. Have the kids make up songs, posters, cheers, or chants to show their team spirit. They can share these during the opening or closing assembly tomorrow.
Prayer
BIBLE Handshake/Dismissal
Each day as you dismiss, have the explorers do the BIBLE Handshake with a friend on their way out. Check in the teacher guides (end of each day’s lesson) or on AnswersVBS YouTube for the daily letters that spell “BIBLE.”
Song (play as children leave)
“Operation Arctic” 
Day 2: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
PROPS: None
PRESENTATION SLIDE: Cam Wow photos with your photos (make yourselves) 
NOTE: Another option if you aren’t able to use the Cam Wow app is to bring in baby pictures of the two people doing this opening and put the pictures on presentation slides. You will need to slightly alter this write-up if doing it that way.
PERSON 1:  Welcome back to Operation Arctic, kids! Turn to Person 2. Hey, I just discovered this silly app that can transform your face! It’s called Cam Wow. Want to see it?
PERSON 2: Sure!
PERSON 1: Okay, let me take a picture of you. Say, “Cheese!”
PERSON 2: “Cheese!”
PERSON 1: Now, look at your picture!
SHOW: Slide of crazy face of the person prepared ahead of time
PERSON 2: Wow, I’d say I certainly have changed a lot. It completely transformed me! Let’s try it with you! 
SHOW: Slide of crazy face of the person prepared ahead of time
PERSON 1: Well, today at VBS, we’ll have fun hearing about a guy whose life was completely transformed. Not like a Cam Wow photo, but from God doing a work in his life!
PERSON 2: Sounds good! But first, let’s sing a song! How about “The Word?”
Song (3 minutes)
C: ”The Word” / T: "The Wise Man Built His House"
Song (3 minutes)
“Standing on the Promises” / Memory Verse Song: “Psalm 119:105”
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM.  
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide
Hey explorers, as we learned yesterday, our mission project for the week is called Mission: Hope Excursion. We’re working together to raise meals that cost 25 cents to help children who are hungry and hurting all over the world. 
Every quarter we raise for Children’s Hunger Fund will provide one meal for a kid just like you! These meals will be delivered to them by local church volunteers who care for them and want to share the good news of the Bible! 
How many of you have started out on your own Hope Excursions to raise meals already? Wait for participation. 
Fantastic! We’re already off to an amazing start. Determine with your director when you will announce the amount of money raised each day. If you decide to do that during this time, say the following; otherwise, modify this to fit your schedule. I’m so proud of how many meals we’ve already raised—and we’ll hear that number . . . after we hear our next Hope Excursion Report for the day!
Remember yesterday’s report about Bedelia in Peru? Well, today we’re meeting another special little girl, this time from the African country of Zambia. Her name is Inez (ee-NEZ).
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Inez” slide
Like Bedelia, Inez and her family don’t have enough food to eat and be healthy. What’s worse, Inez’s mother is very sick and the medicine she needs is very expensive. 
Let’s learn more about Inez and how we can help kids like her by watching our next Hope Excursion Report with Ryker!
SHOW: Video 2—Inez
Child’s Name: Inez 
Country: Zambia
Problem: Hunger, Disease
Inez and her family are very poor. Her father, who was a copper miner in the hills of Zambia, recently died of a disease called AIDS. Inez’s mother is also sick with the disease and needs a special medicine that is very expensive. This leaves little money for the family to buy food and other resources they need. 
Inez must be very sad to lose her father and scared that her mother is sick as well. She and her sisters are also in danger of becoming sick, especially if they are weak from hunger. The good news is that a local church heard about Inez’s family and is now helping them by delivering Food Paks to them regularly. Not only do they have enough to eat, but they’re also hearing about the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Bible, which is having an “incredible impact” on their lives! 
There are many other kids like Inez who need our help! Let’s set off on our Hope Excursions to raise more meals so that they, too, can hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and find hope in Him! But first, did I forget something? Was I supposed to tell you something? Oh, that’s right! Who’s ready to hear how many meals we’ve raised for kids like Inez so far? Well, we counted the coins you brought in and so far, we’ve raised ____ Food Pak meals! 
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 2 and fill in current meal count. 
Awesome! Ready to set off on our Hope Excursions again and raise more meals?! Don’t forget to bring your coins in tomorrow so we can keep delivering hope to hungry kids around the world!
Send each kid home with an “Inez” profile sheet.
Announcements (time varies)
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Operation Arctic”
Day 2: Snowfall Station Closing Assembly
Song (3 minutes)
Memory Verse Song: “Psalm 119:18” 
Song (2 minutes)
C: ”The Word” / T: “The Wise Man Built His House”
Creature Feature (5 minutes)
Arctic Hare
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Sunglasses, Styrofoam ice chest (or cooler), question cards (Resource DVD-ROM)
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
Ready to take today’s COOL QUIZ? Okay, then let’s see how much we know about today’s creature feature, the Arctic hare.
How many of you have ever watched Superman? Well, the animal we’re talking about today I’m nicknaming Super Hare! It’s the Arctic hare, and God designed it with some amazing features!
Of course, we know that Superman is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. But what about the Arctic hare? 
Faster than a speeding bullet—the Arctic hare is fast. Take a guess how fast you think it can run. Is it 20, 30, or 40 mph?
Did you say 20 mph? If you did, you’re . . . wrong! They can run 40 mph. Next time you’re in a car, have your mom or dad tell you when you’re going 40 and imagine an Arctic hare running alongside you!
More powerful than a locomotive—those back legs are very powerful! If an Arctic hare senses danger, it first gets up on its hind legs, then bolts! It uses its very powerful back legs to hop off not like a little bunny but more like a kangaroo. 
And able to leap tall buildings in a single bound—with that kangaroo-like hop, the Arctic hare can leap almost seven feet in a single bound! That’s from here to here! Show the distance on stage. That’s amazing for this small guy!
It’s a super hare! But that’s not all! God has put a lot of other cool features in this clever little animal. 
How about its paws? They are heavily padded with fur. Why do you think God did that?
Did you say to keep them warm? If you did, you’re . . . right! 
Also, it helps them not to fall through the snow. They act kind of like snowshoes and keep them up on top of the snow, just like the polar bear. 
Hey, time to put on my shades! Put on sunglasses. You know, God gave the Arctic hare black eyelashes that work kind of like these sunglasses. What do you think their eyelashes do for them? 
Did you say shield their eyes from the sun’s glare from the snow? If you did, you’re . . . right! It can get very bright with the sun reflecting off the snow, so they need protection for their eyes. 
And God put their eyes on the sides of their heads so they can easily see all around.
What do you notice about the Arctic hare’s ears compared to a normal hare? 
Did you say they’re big? If you did, you’re . . . wrong! They’re actually shorter than most hares, which helps them warm themselves better since their hearts don’t have to pump blood as far.
And they often flatten them against their heads to keep heat in. 
But one of the most interesting things about the Arctic hare is its fur. What color do you think its fur is in summer?
Did you say white? If you did, you’re . . . wrong! The Arctic hare’s coat actually changes colors from season to season. In summer, it’s brown and gray, but in winter, it’s snowy white.
So God gave this little guy the ability to change, or transform, so it will blend in with its surroundings. 
Today, we talked about how God can change us, too. We don’t change colors (wouldn’t that be fun?), but He can change our lives nonetheless. We learned about how God changed a guy named Saul! 
And now we’re going to find out what happens next in our drama!
Drama (10–12 minutes) 
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winners and explain tomorrow’s contest: Polar Dress-Up Day. Dress up in animal gear (animal headband or hat, animal print shirt, animal print bandana, etc.). Or they can dress up in Arctic/winter gear such as hats or scarves. Anyone who wears anything thematic (even if it’s just a headband or something small) gets credit on the team roster for participating in the contest.
Prayer
BIBLE Handshake/Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
Memory Verse Song:  C: “Books of the Bible” / T: “The Old Testament Song”
Day 3: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
PROPS: None
PERSON 1: Hey, everybody, welcome back to Operation Arctic. Are you ready to have a great day?
PERSON 2: I sure am! In fact, I’m ready to start off with something silly. Have you ever thought of any silly things that would be impossible to have happen? For example, it would be impossible to hold your breath for 25 years.
PERSON 1: No kidding! Okay, how about this one? It would be impossible to find the abominable snowman in your backyard.
PERSON 2: Or what about this? It would be impossible to eat with your mouth glued shut. But don’t try this at home. 
PERSON 1: I think it would be impossible to bite your own neck. Wanna try it?
PERSON 2: And it would certainly be impossible to have a tiny little man living in your nose.
PERSON 1: But hey! Seriously, there is something that is really impossible. It’s impossible for God to change. He never changes. He never lies. He never breaks a promise. He’s always the same. And that means His Word is always the same and a bedrock base we can count on.
PERSON 2: Yeah, so true! So let’s get on our feet and sing “Solid Ground” as we remember God and His unchanging Word.
Song (3 minutes)
C: ”Solid Ground” / T: "The Bible Stands" 
Song (3 minutes)
C: “The Bible Is a Gold Mine” / T: "Choose Right" / Memory Verse Song: “Matthew 7:24”
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM.  
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide
Alright, explorers! Do you know what time it is? It’s time for our Mission Moment again! We’re halfway through our Hope Excursion Reports and just about ready to meet our third Hope Excursion buddy for the week. 
Every day this week, we’re working together to collect coins that will raise meals for children in need all over the world. These meals will be packed in Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks and hand delivered by local church volunteers to the homes of kids across the globe. And, every meal is a chance for a child to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Okay, let’s get to our Hope Excursion Report. 
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Bishal” slide 
Today, Ryker’s going to tell us about a little boy who lives all the way on the other side of the world, in Nepal! Nepal is a beautiful country with lots of mountains and forests—and it’s home to Bishal, a little boy who lives with his family in the capital city of Kathmandu. 
Ready for the full report? Okay!
SHOW: Video 3—Bishal 
Child’s Name: Bishal
Country: Nepal
Problem: Hunger, Injustice 
Poverty has led Bishal’s family to the brickyards of Kathmandu, where they have essentially become slaves to the factory owners. The room they live in, which is owned by the brickyard, costs more than they are able to make. Therefore, they can never leave. Not only that, all their money goes to rent, so there isn’t much left over for food. 
Bishal’s family can never leave the brickyard because they were tricked by the factory owners, who take all of their money even though they work very hard. That seems really unfair, right? But, like Ryker said, there is something we can do to help. The meals we raise this week can help kids like Bishal get the food they need to be healthy and grow. 
And, the meals will be delivered by local church volunteers who can care for these families and tell them that God is a good God who cares for them. 
But, before we set out to collect more meals, who wants to hear how many we’ve raised so far?! Okay, in just two days on your Hope Excursions, you’ve all raised ___ (number) meals! That’s incredible! These meals will go directly to kids all over the world who need food and hope. 
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 3 and fill in current meal count.
We’re on track to make a huge impact on the lives of kids in need all over the world, so keep up the amazing work and set off on your Hope Excursions to collect more meals.
Send each kid home with a “Bishal” profile sheet.
Announcements (time varies)
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Standing on the Promises” / Memory Verse Song: “Matthew 7:24”
Day 3: Snowfall Station Closing Assembly
Song (2 minutes)
C: “Look in the Book” / T: "The Bible Is my GPS" 
Song (3 minutes)
C: ”Love Letter” / T: "Stay the Course"
Creature Feature (5 minutes)
Narwhal
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Styrofoam ice chest (or cooler), question cards (Resource DVD-ROM)
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
Time for our third COOL QUIZ!! Are you ready? Today’s creature feature highlights one crazy animal—the narwhal! God had to have fun making this guy! 
First of all, do any of you have a nickname? Well, the narwhal does, too! What do you think the narwhal’s nickname is? A) Oogy Boogy Boy; B) Unicorn of the North; C) Corpse Whale.
Two of those are actually right because it has two nicknames: Unicorn of the North and corpse whale. Let’s talk about the first nickname, the Unicorn of the North. You can probably figure out why it would have that nickname, right? Yeah, that tusk is something! 
What do you think that tusk really is?
Did you say a tooth? If you did, you’re . . . right! They have a spiral tusk that’s really a tooth!! 
And . . . it can be as long as 9 feet!
And . . . males sometimes have two tusks.
And . . . it’s hollow. 
And . . . it’s opposite of our teeth, which are hard on the outside and softer inside. The narwhal tooth is soft on the outside and harder on the inside.
And . . . it can bend a lot without cracking. 
And . . . it keeps growing throughout the narwhal’s whole life to replace wear and tear.
And . . . the tooth grows out of its mouth—through its lip.
And . . . this tooth is full of nerves. Narwhals can feel/sense things through their tooth
So this is one funky tooth!
The narwhal’s other nickname is the corpse whale. It’s called this because they swim belly side up, like they’re floating around lifelessly.
And they can stop and stay motionless for a good while. It’s like they’re playing dead!
Now, guess what’s great about the narwhal’s skin? A) It’s full of vitamin C; B) It’s full of oil; C) It’s full of milk.
Did you say it’s full of milk? If you did, you’re . . . wrong! It’s actually full of vitamin C—about the same amount as oranges have. 
The Inuit people tend to use a lot of narwhal skin for nutrition since oranges aren’t growing on trees up there.
Now, about eating. Narwhals have an unusual eating habit. Is it: A) they chew their food then spit it out; B) they only eat other narwhals; C) they suck their prey into their mouths?
Did you say the last one? If you did, you’re . . . right! They don’t have sharp teeth, so they swim up close to their prey then suck them into their mouths.
Of course, the narwhal spends all its life in the ocean. It lives in the Arctic Ocean amid all the moving water and shifting ice.
We couldn’t live our lives in the ocean, could we? It helps us to have a solid foundation to live on, doesn’t it? 
Today, we talked about the spiritual base we need to build our lives on. I’m so thankful God gave us His words!
Drama (10–12 minutes) 
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winners and explain tomorrow’s contest: Bible Books Challenge. 
Challenge the kids to see if they can say all the New Testament books in order. Or try all the Old Testament books in order. Or try all of them in order!
Anyone participating in the challenge gets credit on the team roster. Give extra credit for doing them all. 
Prayer
BIBLE Handshake/Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Operation Arctic” 
Day 4: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
PROPS: Letter, Bible
PERSON 1 comes running in, excitedly yelling that he just got a letter.
PERSON 2: Who’s it from?
PERSON 1: A very important person. A very, very, very important person.
PERSON 2: I have a letter from a very important Person, too. A very, very, very, very, very, very, very important Person.
PERSON 1: You do? I bet it’s not as important as my letter.
PERSON 2: I bet it’s much more important.
PERSON 1: Is not.
PERSON 2: Is too.
PERSON 1: Is not.
PERSON 2: Is too.
PERSON 1: Is not.
PERSON 2: Hold it!! Who is yours from?
PERSON 1: Mine’s from _________. Who’s yours from?
PERSON 2: I have a letter from God!
PERSON 1: What??
PERSON 2: Yep! This book! Show the Bible. It’s like a letter from God for you and me. And today at Operation Arctic, we’re going to learn that the Bible is a letter of love. It tells us how much God loves us, how to have eternal life, and how to live a wise life here on earth.
PERSON 1: Wow, that is really special, isn’t it? Okay, yours beats mine! Well, let’s sing a song about it!
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Love Letter" / T: “Heir of Heaven”
Song (3 minutes)
C: "Learn It, Love It, Live It" / T: "Choose Right" / Memory Verse Song: “Romans 5:8”
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Family Reunion Voyage DVD-ROM.  
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide 
Alright, explorers. Who’s ready for our fourth Mission Moment for the week? Pause for participation. Me too! Let’s get ready to set off and hear another Hope Excursion Report from Ryker. 
It’s been such a blast exploring the Arctic and hearing Hope Excursion Reports from all over the world with you. Remember, we’re not just raising meals for these kids, we’re helping make a way for them to hear about the good news of Jesus and the truth of the Bible, the greatest book in the world. We have this incredible letter of love, and now we have a way to share it with kids all over the world! 
Before we move on to our next Hope Excursion Report, I have a couple questions for you. First, how much does it cost to raise one meal? That’s right! 25 cents! Okay, second, if you have five dollars, how many meals does that provide? Yes! 20 meals! Isn’t that amazing!
So, let’s get to our next Hope Excursion Report so that we can get out there and collect more coins! 
Today, Ryker is going to tell us about a little girl who lost so much but found hope because of the kindness of others and Food Paks raised by kids like you. Her name is Lena, and she lives in a country called Ukraine. 
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Lena” slide
Are you guys ready to hear more about Lena? 
SHOW: Video 4—Lena 
Child’s Name: Lena
Country: Ukraine
Problem: Orphaned, War 
Lena lost her mother and father and is all alone. She didn’t have any family left until a pastor took her in and started to care for her. There are many children in Ukraine and all around the world who have lost their family to violence and war. 
I’m so thankful the pastor and his family are now caring for Lena like their own daughter. Not only that, the Food Paks we’re helping to fill with our coins this week are helping their family have enough food to feed everyone. 
Speaking of Food Paks, are you ready to hear how many meals for Food Paks we’ve raised so far? Okay, we have one more day of collecting coins, but so far, we’ve all collected enough coins to give ___ meals to kids in need! Praise God! 
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 4 and fill in current meal count.
But like I said, we still have one more day, so let’s make it our biggest. Set off on your Hope Excursions and collect those coins!
Send each kid home with a “Lena” profile sheet.
Announcements (time varies)
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Operation Arctic” / Memory Verse Song:“Romans 5:8” 
Day 4: Snowfall Station Closing Assembly
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Operation Arctic” / T: "The Bible IS My GPS"
Song (3 minutes)
C: “The Word” / T: "Choose Right"
Creature Feature (5 minutes)
Musk Ox
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Styrofoam ice chest (or cooler), question cards (Resource DVD-ROM)
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
Time for our fourth COOL QUIZ! Before we start, let’s take a second to flex our muscles. Wow, we’re a pretty strong bunch, huh? But nothing like today’s creature feature, the musk ox.
Musk oxen are one of the most powerful land animals on earth. 
When the males are trying to establish who is the head honcho, they leap off the ground and charge at each other, crashing into each other at full force. 
God designed their heads with an air pocket between their brain and skull and a bony plate on top of their heads. 
Why do you think He gave them that?
Did you say because their brains are extra big? If you did, you’re . . . wrong! God gave them a bony plate on top of their head and air pockets between their brain and skull so they wouldn’t end up with brain damage when they bang into each other.
They have big front hooves. Why do think they need those?
Did you say so they can break through the solid ice to find food? If you did, you’re . . . right! 
They don’t eat meat, just plants, so they’re often scratching and scraping to find berries and other plants, and the ground is either very hard or covered with ice and snow, so their strong, big hooves help them get to the food buried under there. 
Have you ever heard of the perfume scent called musk? Well, musk oxen give off a musky substance (that’s how they got the name musk oxen!) from glands that are under their eyes. Why do you think they do that?
Did you say to get the girl? If you did, you’re . . . right! Boy musk oxen give off the scent to attract the girl musk oxen. How romantic. Ahem.
Ever had a bad hair day? It may seem like the musk ox’s long, thick hair is messy, but it really serves a purpose Why do you think God designed it with all that hair?
Did you say to keep them warm and toasty? If you did, you’re . . . right! 
The strands of fur are like a long coat that reach almost to the ground. And it’s almost like they have two winter coats—an outer coat and an inner coat. 
The inner coat falls out in the summer because they’re actually too hot with both of those coats. Have you ever gotten overheated with too many clothes on? Well, that’s what happens to them sometimes!
The inner coat is soft. It’s called qiviut (KIV ee oot) and when it falls out, it’s gathered and sold and used to make winter clothes. It’s warm (8 times warmer than wool!) and water repellent, so it’s really valuable.
But you know, back in the beginning (about 6,000 years ago), the temperatures wouldn’t have been so cold in the Arctic. The land was fairly warm all over. But when the Flood happened, the land broke up and everything changed. The Flood ushered in the Ice Age. And with the Ice Age came a huge change to the climate of the earth. Now there are ice caps on the earth, which is a big reminder of the Flood. And now animals that live in extra cold places need to have extra thick hair!
And here’s one last cool thing about musk oxen. For protection, they gather in a big circle with their heads facing out and their young in the middle to protect them. They sure do care for their young!
Today, we’ve talked about how God cares for you. He cares so much He wrote a letter of love to you, which is this book right here. Hold up the Bible. 
Let’s sing our next song to remind ourselves of that! 
Song
C: “Love Letter” / T: “Heir of Heaven”
Drama (10–12 minutes) 
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winners and explain tomorrow’s contest: Mission Money Mania. Bring in your final mission offering. Double bonus points for participating! No amount is too big or too small! 
Prayer
BIBLE Handshake/Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
C: “The Bible Is a Gold Mine” / T: "The Bible Stands" 
Day 5: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
PROPS: Tall ladder, Bible
PERSON 1: Welcome back to Operation Arctic, kids! Turn to Person 2. Hey, guess what I just discovered when I was exploring in the Bible?
PERSON 2: What?
PERSON 1: There’s actually a guy in the Bible who was nine feet tall!! Isn’t that amazing? That’s as tall as this. (Get up on a ladder so you are nine feet tall.) 1 Samuel 17
PERSON 2: Yeah, well did you know there was a guy who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot? 2 Samuel 21:20
PERSON 1: Okay, well that’s not all. What about a donkey that talks? Numbers 22:28.
PERSON 2: A talking donkey? Wow! But listen to this. There was a lady who turned to salt! Genesis 19. 
PERSON 1: Wow, that’s a . . . a . . . mazing!
PERSON 2: And what would you think if you had an axe, a heavy axe that would normally sink like a big, heavy rock, but instead you put it in water and it floats? 2 Kings 6.
PERSON 1: Mind blowing! Wow, all these true accounts and much, much more is in this Book. Show the Bible. It’s the most exciting book ever to explore! We’ll talk more how to explore it today, but first, let’s sing “Psalm 119:162.”
Song (3 minutes)
Memory Verse Song: “Psalm 119:162” 
Song (3 minutes)
”Operation Arctic” 
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM.  
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide 
Wow, can you believe we’re on our last day of our Hope Excursions? You are the best explorers, and I’m so thankful we’ve gotten to explore the Arctic, learn about the Bible, and raise meals together all week. 
On our first day, we learned how the Bible tells us that if we love God, we will obey Him when He tells us to serve others. This week, we’ve been doing just that by collecting coins for Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks, and I’m so proud of how everyone has joined in. 
But, it’s important to remember that we can always be serving others, both people we know and people we may not know, that are in need. Ask your family to help you find ways to help the poor even after VBS is over—you can still deliver hope from home! 
Okay, we still have one more Hope Excursion Report. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to miss our friend Ryker! Today, he’s going to tell us about a little boy named Elias.
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Elias” slide
Elias and his family had to leave their home and country because of a war. Now they are living at a camp in a new country. Let’s hear how we can help kids like Elias. 
SHOW: Video 5—Elias 
Child’s Name: Elias 
Country: The Middle East 
Problem: Refugee
Because of a terrible civil war that still rages on, Elias and his family had to flee their home and leave Syria. They, and millions of others, have left everything in order to find safety in a new home country. Sadly, they were not able to bring any of their belongings and are now in need of basic necessities like food and shelter.
Can you imagine having to leave your home and all of your things to go to a new country? Millions of kids just like Elias have also had to leave their homes for the same reason and are now living in tents and camps all over the world. Thankfully, there are churches and groups that are helping them through this time, just like the church that helped Elias. And WE can raise meals for them, too!
Send each kid home with an “Elias” profile sheet.
Announcements (time varies)
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Operation Arctic” / Memory Verse Song: “Psalm 119:18”
Day 5: Snowfall Station Closing Assembly
Song (3 minutes)
C: "Learn It, Love It, Live It" / T: "The Bible Is my GPS"
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Love Letter” / T: " Heir of Heaven"
Creature Feature (5 minutes) 
Siberian Husky
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Styrofoam ice chest (or cooler), question cards (Resource DVD-ROM)
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
Are you ready for our last COOL QUIZ?? Today we’re talking about a favorite animal, the Siberian Husky.
Like some of the other animals we’ve learned about this week, huskies have fur on their paws to keep them warm. 
They also have a double coat of fur for warmth, and it’s water resistant so it won’t freeze on them when they get wet.
Compared with other animals, there can be something different about their eyes. Do you know what it is?
Did you say they can have one brown eye and one blue? If you did, you’re . . . right! 
God made their eyes almond-shaped so they can easily squint and keep out the snow that kicks up in their faces when they’re running. God also gave them an extra eyelid! This keeps their eyes moist and protected.
They cover their noses with their tails when they sleep. This movement is nicknamed: A) Nose Flow; B) Siberian Swirl; C) Musky Husky.
Did you say Musky Husky? If you did, you’re . . . wrong! It’s actually called the Siberian Swirl. They put their tails over their noses to keep them warm when they sleep.
Also, their noses are usually wet while they run during the day, but God designed their noses to dry up at night so they won’t freeze in the cold.
Maybe the most unusual thing God gave huskies is this: A) they like to eat whales; B) they turn blue when they’re cold; C) they don’t really get tired.
Did you say they don’t really get tired? If you did, you’re . . . right!
After we’ve exercised hard, we feel tired. But when huskies exercise, it’s almost like a switch is flipped in their body and this thing called metabolism is changed, so they don’t get really tired.
This means they’re high-energy and born to run. That’s what makes them so good for pulling dogsleds!
And they’re also great at pulling dogsleds because they love to explore.
They’ve been part of many great Arctic explorations. They’ve helped countless people survive and even explore further and further north.
They’re able to pull great amounts of stuff on dogsleds. Each dog can pull its weight, which averages about 55 pounds.
And listen to this! Big dogsled teams of 200 or more dogs have been able to pull buses or even help move houses!
Another thing they love to do with their energy and excitement is race. 
There’s one famous dogsled race that happens every year in Alaska. It’s called: A) the Iditarod; B) the ACE Race; C) the Yukon Run.
Did you say the Iditarod? If you did, you’re . . . right!
The Iditarod has 16 dogs on each dogsled team. They aren’t always Siberian Huskies—sometimes they’re other types of dogs, but huskies are a favorite.
Each team of 16 travels over 1,000 miles through often fierce weather during an Iditarod race.
The Iditarod is run in remembrance of a true event that happened back in 1925 when a diphtheria epidemic happened in Nome, Alaska. Dogsled teams raced from Anchorage to Nome to deliver life-saving medicine. If you’ve ever seen the movie Balto, then you know the general idea of what happened.
These dogs can be on the Iditarod race for 10 days or more, but they don’t complain. They’re always excited and eager to go.
With their excitement and love for exploring and the huge amount of energy they put into it, they’re a great reminder to us to love exploring, too—particularly exploring the Bible! We want to learn it, love it, and live it.
OTHER FUN FACTS (OPTIONAL)
Ever heard of a three dog night? Well, sometimes Inuits would sleep with their dogs at night to keep them warm. If it was really, really cold, it might be a three dog night.
The word “Husky” is from “Esky,” short for Eskimo.
Huskies don’t bark—they howl. Their howl can be heard up to 10 miles away.
They’re called Siberian Huskies because they were brought from Siberia, Russia.
They also have strong claws for digging. And they love to dig! They can dig a hole into the snow and hunker down in there for warmth. 
If kept as pets, beware, because that digging instinct makes them quite the escape artists. When you combine digging skills and high energy, they can easily get away.
Drama (10–12 minutes)
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winners.
Prayer
BIBLE Handshake/Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
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