Vacation Bible School underway

By Chaplain (Maj.) John Grauer, Plans and Operations Chaplain, U.S. Army Garrison-HawaiiJune 12, 2015

Vacation Bible School underway
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

VBS begins at HMR, June 15, and begins at AMR, June 22

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Vacation Bible School is currently underway and has been taking place this week from 9 a.m to noon at Main Post Chape, here.

Three hundred children and volunteers from all over Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield have made this event a great success.

This year's theme is Everest. The curriculum is inspired by the idea of overcoming challenges and that everything is possible when we have the support of a team around us.

At this week's VBS, elementary-aged children visited multiple stations each day, starting with Base Camp, just like a real base camp on Mount Everest.

The term "base camp" usually applies to a mountain expedition. It is the place from which you begin your climb, and where you gather everything you need for your expedition, because reaching the summit requires team work.

At Everest, no activity stands alone, so VBS helps children learn about God and the value of working together.

With the theme that God has the power to heal, provide comfort and forgive, and to love; children learn valuable lessons for a lifetime.

During this week, VBS sessions helped children discover that teamwork means helping others make it to the summit.

This year's leaders identified Nepal as a place of need. Debbie McSwain, director of religious education at U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, said the events of Nepal help parents and children alike talk about how to help those in need.

"What better way to put faith in action than to help the people of Nepal who have been devastated by earthquakes and have experienced so much suffering," she said.

"This is so exciting" said one parent. "We are teaching our children to connect and to help."

"This helps kids connect," said another parent.

Not stopping there, VBS also took donations to raise money for school supplies for children in Hawaii who might otherwise go without.

All military families are welcome to attend VBS, whether they are involved in a chapel or not.

Vacation Bible School will continue on June 15 to 19 at Helemano Military Reservation and at Aliamanu Military Reservation June 22 to 26. Both events take place at 9 a.m to noon.

For more information or to preregister, call (808) 679-2092 for Helemano and (808) 839-4319 for Aliamanu.

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U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii