CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – “Just fall backwards and I’ll catch you.”
Without hesitation, Charleigh Haller throws her arms out and falls backwards into the arms of Hannah Ahn, a volunteer at the Humphreys Vacation Bible School, held August 9 to 13.
It’s day one of VBS, a weeklong event at the Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel, and Ahn is working as a crew assistant.
“I really love meeting all the kids and I like the environment we create,” said Ahn. “I like the possibility of helping little kids discover who God is.”
Ahn grew up participating in VBS each summer from kindergarten to fifth grade, and when she was in sixth grade she made the transition from participant to volunteer. She began as a crew assistant for her mom and added helping with decorations and working on the praise team to her list of responsibilities. Now, as a 17-year-old senior at Humphreys High School, Ahn says remembering her experiences as a child encourages her to recreate the experience for other children.
“I remember doing lots of fun crafts and dancing and the motions,” said Ahn. “There was this one craft where you would make a lantern and it was a representation of God and how he lights up the world. It helped me understand who God is – at that time I was scared of the dark, but since the lanterns were all lit, there was some peace in me. That’s when I really understood what God is to me and how I can portray God in my life.”
Ahn joined a record 163 volunteers to help host the 300 children participating in the event. To help facilitate a safe experience in the midst of COVID-19 concerns, multiple safeguards were put in place.
“We have tracks to show the paths for the children to go on so they don’t cross each other,” said Aimee Wieland, VBS registration and promotions volunteer. “We are working with a population of children under the age of 12, who don’t have the opportunity to be vaccinated, so we ensure everyone is wearing masks properly and the clear plastic is between tables during snack time.”
Additionally Wieland said after each rotation of children, a team wipes down the tables and clear plastic dividers, hand sanitizer is used after each station and professional sanitizing sprayers are used on the pews, as well as other areas that are used by the children. However, maintaining the strict sanitary measures are not what Wieland says is most difficult to her.
“The hardest part is telling people we are full, we’re even at capacity for volunteering,” said Wieland. “A waitlist started after 72 hours. It breaks my heart for families that just moved here. VBS is a perfect opportunity for children to know other children before school starts, but we are at max capacity.”
To reach those who were not able to register for in-person VBS, the chapel offered virtual VBS. Families were able to pick up virtual packets with the craft supplies and follow along each day to a pre-recorded VBS video created by the team.
“I got an email today from a mom,” said Wieland. “Her young son tested positive for Covid. We’re giving these families an opportunity to do something in the room.”
Planning for VBS began in January with the bulk of the work beginning in May. Volunteers spent weeks creating decorations transforming the chapel into a mountain railroad complete with waterfalls, rock tunnels and small-scale trains scattered throughout.
“I want them to have a magical experience learning more about the faith and learning more about ways to be kind to others,” said Wieland. “It’s an opportunity, especially given that we’re in a pandemic, for these kids to be social in positive setting.”
Wieland, who has two children, said being involved and showing her children the value of volunteering is important to her. Ahn also said providing the children an example of the lessons they are learning is something she hopes she can do while volunteering.
“I remember really nice crew leaders who would help me and answer all my questions,” said Ahn. “You open yourself up. You’re expecting that the kids are opening up to you, but you may have to open up to them. I like when they trust you enough to ask those questions and when, at the end, you really build those connections.”
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