Fort Knox RSO to offer backyard Kidz Klubz, virtual Vacation Bible School in July

By Patrick HodgesJuly 2, 2020

Fort Knox Virtual VBS flyer
Fort Knox Virtual VBS flyer (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Fort Knox RSO) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Fort Knox Religious Support Office is offering two events in July, with health and safety in mind, which the singular focus of strengthening children’s relationship with Jesus Christ.

Kidz Klubz

July 8 through August 26, Fort Knox residents will be hosting Kidz Klubz throughout all on-post communities. Classes will take place in the host’s backyard with a duration of 1 – 2 hours each over the course of 3 – 5 days.

“It’s our desire to reach out into the community through the use of backyard bible clubs or groups,” said Fort Knox Garrison Chaplain Col. James Boulware. “The focus of these groups is specifically to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with children.”

Boulware said the success of Kidz Klubz is reliant on community participation.

“This requires two things – team leaders, which we will provide, and people who are willing to provide their backyards to host these events,” Boulware said. “The host’s responsibility is twofold – put the word out in their neighborhoods to invite the kids and provide small snacks for the kids.”

Though team leaders are volunteers, they are properly vetted and trained.

“Our team leaders have received background checks as well as extensive training through Child Evangelism Fellowship,” Boulware said. “They’ll provide the games, study materials, and will sit down with kids in a safe environment with proper social distancing measures in place.”

Boulware said RSO is actively looking for residents to serve as Kidz Klubz hosts.

“We’d love to get a bunch of people to host and we’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for them to do so,” said Boulware. “It’s a great opportunity for residents to participate in their community.”

Virtual Vacation Bible School

Due to COVID-19, RSO officials made the decision to host its annual Vacation Bible School virtually, which will be from July 19 – 23.

“We were really torn deciding how to do it this year as it’s a people to people type of event,” Boulware said. “We were trying to be safe in the way we approached this, so we decided to go all virtual.”

Boulware said this will be RSO’s first attempt at a virtual VBS.

“We’re interested to see how this works out, but the team is really putting together a great program that’s tailored to meet the needs of the children,” he said.

The event, which is expected to draw about 250 children, will begin with an in-person rally on the first day. Participants will stay in their cars and use their FM radios to listen in, similar to recent Easter and Mother’s Day services.

“We going to have a VBS rally in the Human Resources Command parking lot at 4 p.m. July 19,” said RSO Director of Religious Education Dr. William Townsend. “We’ll have a 30-minute rally that will include songs, discussion of the schedule, announcements and a prayer from Chaplain Boulware.”

Following the rally, children will receive a bag full of VBS materials.

“We’ll go to each car with masks on, social distancing of course, and every child will receive a sling bag full of crafts, snacks, bible studies, DVDs, a bandana – everything they need for the 5-day experience,” Townsend said.

Townsend said children will then remotely participate in the weeks events each day online.

“Children will tune in to our VBS Facebook page each day, take that respective day’s materials out of their bag, build a craft, and watch a lesson on video,” said Townsend. “Everything is related to bible stories and the event theme.

“We’ve been looking at other virtual VBSs around the country and in the local communities and that seems to be the norm.”

While the majority of the videos and lessons will be prerecorded, RSO representatives will be making phone calls to participants throughout VBS to maintain the personal element.

“We’re going to have what we call crew leaders assigned to small groups of children,” Townsend said. “They’ll be making phone calls to children throughout the week to check in, build personal relationships and invite the children to participate in our other programs.”

At the end of the week, children will be able to drive through at Prichard Place Chapel to receive their VBS certificate.

To register a child for VBS, to volunteer for VBS or to be a Kidz Klubz host, or for more information, call 502-624-8556.

“These types of activities are a great springboard as we plan future ministries, particularly for children, Townsend said. “We’re trying to do all we can to reach our faith-based community.”