The Fort Leavenworth Chapel Community hosted its annual Vacation Bible School for Fort Leavenworth youth Aug. 6-8 at Frontier and Pioneer Chapels on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
This year’s theme was “SCUBA: Diving Into Friendship with God.” The theme’s overall goal was to appeal to children in an underwater world complete with pirates, hidden treasure chests and songs that glorify the name of God. Decorations included depictions of the ocean that included a submarine and sharks and divers swimming overhead.
Shelly Wilson, crafts leader, portrayed the pirate “Captain Ruby” in a skit performed as children arrived at the crafts station. Children were able to interact with Captain Ruby, as she granted each child with a “prize from the sky” as toys rained down from her sails in the pirate ship-themed hallway.
Wilson said that VBS themes change every year.
“Last year’s theme was ‘Outer Space,’ and the kids really enjoyed that. This year we added a unique look to the hallways to make things more realistic during our session,” she said.
There were more than 90 volunteers, and 177 children registered in this year’s VBS. Bible school volunteers guided children in grade-level groups ranging from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in various activities that related to what faith means.
“Appealing to the children was our main goal, especially with our activities and themes,” said Amy Quinlan, volunteer song and dance leader for VBS. “My prayer is that they will feel the truth that Jesus is real and that he wants a relationship with them… I’ve seen the impact VBS has on the younger children, so it’s easier to be optimistic about our outreach to older kids as well.”
On the first day of Vacation Bible School, children were introduced to outdoor games like cardboard basketball and beach ball tossing. Fourth-grader Evan Foley gave credit to God for his competitiveness during the outdoor session.
“God can help me with tough challenges, and so far, I’ve had fun,” he said.
VBS leaders worked to impart the overall theme of VBS to the children, particularly by “diving” into specific scripture.
Garrison Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Nathan McLean was the speaker for the children’s Bible reading session. McLean discussed chapters in the book of 1 Kings, demonstrating to children the essence of what it means to believe in God. McLean encouraged children to take home what they have learned and to exercise their faith beyond Vacation Bible School.
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