Vacation Bible School
blends faith and fun
Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published June 30, 2006
Clifford – At St. Patrick Mission last week, preschoolers learned that it's good to follow Jesus. 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds learned about the Father's kindness and forgiveness. And older children learned of the Spirit's calling them to be charitable to others.
And they did it all while sharing prayers and laughter with new friends.
"They learn because they play through it," said Thea Julien, who facilitates the program at St. Patrick.
Vacation Bible schools and other faith-based religious education camps have proven popular ways for many parishes to engage children in their Catholic faith. More than 50 parishes across the Archdiocese of Detroit have such summer programs, including at least seven parishes which are conducting them for the first time this year.
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Ashlianna Kreiner (right) shows Juliana Krych a paper puppet she’s making at St. Patrick Mission’s vacation Bible school in Clifford. 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds made puppets and small-scale sets to perform the parable of the Prodigal Son. | In addition to heavy-duty lessons that come from learning about the Mass, Scripture or the lives of the Saints, children get the opportunity to act.
At St. Patrick, for example, youngsters last week made puppets to relay the parable of the Prodigal Son. The older children made a float with which, during a Mass, they presented gifts for the less fortunate.
Such activities go on at many parishes, whether their camps are part of a pre-made catechetical program or something tailor-made by a parish.
Sr. Rebecca Vonderhaar, IHM, director of religious education at Christ the Good Shepherd, Lincoln Park, says that the summer programs are good for children to learn about the aspects of the Church that don't have to do with kneeling to pray.
"Kids have to know that living out their faith is more than just being at Mass," said Sr. Vonderhaar, who has conducted a Bible camp at the parish for several years.
Though kids have plenty of fun with stories, games and companionship, they learn particularly well from Christian service projects during the camp, Sr. Vonderhaar said.
Many summer programs at parishes across the Archdiocese of Detroit incorporate service projects.
St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Redford Township has its kids visit nursing homes and soup kitchens, as well as take trips to a Jewish temple and Islamic Center to learn about other faiths.
Katie Wells, co-director of the program, says it can teach the children from both a historic and hands-on perspective what it means to be a Catholic.
"It gives them a chance to feel mature," Wells said. "And then they get the fun part of it, too."
Most facilitators say their camps are well-attended and offer more than just a classroom setting. Chris Cabe, who facilitates a camp at St. Martin De Porres Parish in Warren, says the parish's entire school building was transformed in June for their summer program. Most importantly, though, the focus was on the love of Christ – and the kids couldn't get enough.
"It was wonderful," she said. "We had little kids asking if we could make it longer."
Vacation Bible Schools in the archdiocese
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