The first day of summer begins officially on June 21, but in my mind, summer starts when school ends. This year, school ends on June 8.
Summer worry, summer fun. This is what comes to my mind when I think about summer.
As a working parent, I worry about the summer schedules and activities for my two kids. We don’t have the daily routine of going to school and scheduled learning any more. For three months, I have to find something fun to do for them.
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Summer is certainly a fun and relaxed time, especially here in Minnesota. After months of cocooning inside the house, we can finally spend more time outside enjoying the nice weather, walking, playing and gardening.
One of the fun summer activities my kids have enjoyed in the last several years is VBS.
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What is VBS?
VBS (Vacation Bible School) is the term for a special type of religious education which caters toward elementary aged children, usually during the summer. VBS has been around for over one hundred years.
In 1894, D.T. Miles in Hopedale, Illinois, started a daily Bible school to teach children during the summer months. In 1922 the World Association of Daily Vacation Bible School was founded.
Today many churches run VBS programs. Most churches use themed curriculum "package" programs from their respective denominations or independent publishing houses.
The advantage of using the themed curriculum package programs is the easy preparation and marketing tools provided. The disadvantage is the possibility of another nearby church using the same program.
VBS usually is a weeklong half day program consisting of Bible stories and games, arts and crafts, lively songs, recreation and refreshments. In most cases, there is a closing program on the last day. Parents are invited to watch their children perform songs they have learned during the week.
VBS programs are designed for elementary aged children, some for kids as young as three years old. VBS is a great way for children to learn Christian lessons during the summer while also engaging in summer fun and recreation.
Some churches may charge a small fee while others offer a free service to educate children in the community. Churches use VBS as a way to reach members in the community. For many, VBS has become the single most important and effective evangelic outreach in leading people to Christ and bringing new families into congregations.
Over the years my kids have gone to VBS offered by various local churches. All the programs are good. They are good because of the people. People volunteer at VBS out of love. They are there to share God’s love and their love for Christ with others.
Now as a 7th grader and a 5th grader, my kids think they are too old for VBS. My son stopped going to VBS last year. This year might be the first year in a long time that both of them will stop doing VBS. But I highly recommend other families look into VBS as a fun summer activity for their children.
In my next post, I will provide a list of churches in Woodbury that will offer VBS this year, in the hope that it will benefit other Woodbury families who are interested in VBS for their young children.
