Students this summer may find themselves on a game show, or in Discovery Canyon, or on an imagined stretch of the Australian Outback — but they'll all be in the same place:
Vacation Bible School.
With the school year ending in just a few days, many churches in Pasco County are gearing up for their summer religious programs, each with a different theme.
At Aripeka Baptist Church, students will find a game show atmosphere at Studio Go. King of Kings Lutheran Church has dubbed its program Discovery Canyon. At the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Dade City, the central idea will be Love to Serve.
At Trinity Presbyterian Church, the theme is Crocodile Dock. And at Grace Bible Church, children will take the Boomerang Express to the land down under.
"They will eat snacks at G'Day Café and play games at Recreation Rock, named for Ayers Rock in Australia," said youth minister David Dixon.
But the classes have a more profound purpose: To show children how they can have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
"This is a very important aspect of our ministry outreach," Dixon said. "And because of the generous giving of church members, we are able to do it for free."
Other churches are also preparing their programs, looking to provide religious guidance while having a good time.
Vacation Bible School "gives children an opportunity to get the message about God's love and Jesus in a fun way with other kids," said Kelly Erickson of Trinity Presbyterian Church in New Port Richey.
Kids leave with a smile on their faces, she added.
"It is also a simple message that they can share with their parents," said Erickson.
Most churches provide a week of teaching, fellowship and fun to their church members' children as well as to the community.
"The children need it — it is a part of our community outreach," said Dorothy Richards, the director of Vacation Bible School at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Port Richey.
Some programs are offered in the morning. Others, like the classes at Aripeka Baptist Church, are in the evening.
"We want to reach everyone with the truth," said Aripeka Pastor Joe Sims. "We also have classes for all ages from the nursery up through adults."
Most churches offer only Vacation Bible School to children, usually pre-K through the sixth grade.
Even with a hurting economy, most churches offer the programs for free.
"You can't put a price tag on spreading the word of God," said Richards. "This is concentrated. We can teach in a week what it would take a half a year of Sundays to accomplish."
A $15 registration fee is requested at Trinity's Vacation Bible School, but even so they are offering scholarships for those in need.
"We usually sell T-shirts for $10 and everyone buys one," said Erickson. "So the $15 this year includes a T-shirt."
Programs include Bible lessons, crafts, games and snacks. Most prefer parents to pre-register their children.
Vacation Bible School programs
These churches are offering Vacation Bible School programs this summer:
• Aripeka Baptist Church, 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 15-19, 18731 Aripeka Road. (352) 736-7520.
• Grace Bible Church, 9 a.m. to noon June 15-19, 9403 Scot St. in Hudson. (727) 863-2747 or mysite.verizon.net/res767gr/.
• Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 7-11, 4651 Little Road in New Port Richey. (727) 372-7203 or www.tpcoss.org.
• King of Kings Lutheran Church, 9 a.m. to noon June 15-19, 10337 U.S. 19, in Port Richey. (727) 868-5743.
• Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 6-10, 37015 Orange Valley Lane in Dade City. (352) 567-8424 or shephillslc.org.
• Calvary Chapel Worship Center, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 20-23, 6825 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey, (727) 376-7733 or www.ccwc.org.
News
