Third and fourth grade students enjoy a game of soccer during their recreational time at Vacation Bible School at Hunter Chapel that took place June 18-23. Other activities included music, dance, arts and craft and bible study. Seventy-seven child...

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - This year's Vacation Bible School motto, "awesome God, amazing power," was a common chant among third and fourth grader attending Bible school at Hunter Chapel, according to their teacher, Spc. Nancy Morales, a chaplain's assistant from 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, who guided the children through a week of learning and activities.

"The kids really got into this motto," said Morales about the 77children, age kindergarten through sixth grade, who participated in the "Amazing Wonders through Aviation" program, with an aviation theme and motto used nation-wide by denominational churches.

"Because of our aviation units here, this theme was particularly meaningful," said Charles Archer, religious education director, who has directed Hunter's Vacation Bible School program for the last several years.

He said Terry Campbell, an 3rd CAB spouse, was also inspired by the aviation theme. She created the Marne Air regimental crest art to use with the other bible school artwork used as a backdrop for the 9 a.m. assembly gatherings every morning.

Archer said the aviation theme refers to God's "awesome" creation seen through the eyes of pilots; and the curriculum teaches that just as pilots need a compass to navigate their aircraft, we need God to be the compass that navigate our lives.That theme was reinforced with different activities each day in the areas of music, dance, arts and crafts; it was also taught through practical lessons, such as how to use God's power to deal successfully with bullies.

Laura Capeles, a spouse who volunteered in the bible school program with 40 others, also enrolled her children, ages 6 and 8.

"This builds a foundation of faith for my kids," she said. "It also gives them the opportunity to interact with protestant children outside the catholic program they attend. In the end, we're all one in our faith."

Specialist Morales believes that instructing children in the faith is important and that bible school provides that foundation for children. It also provides personal learning and growth for the volunteer teen and adult instructors.

"I love God, I love kids and I love teaching," Morales said. "This is a powerful job."

Other powerful summer programs for children include: "Club Beyond" for teens meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; the protestant Sunday school program is held Sundays at 9:15 a.m. for grades one through six. Chapel staff will announce special pool and movie events to be held on week-ends. For additional information about the chapel's child and youth programs, contact Charles Archer, 912-315-5934.