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Bible school goes on high seas expedition
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Children attending the Canfield United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School made cross and bead necklaces at the craft station.
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At the finale at the Canfield United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School, this group led the children in singing "Your Life Will Change."
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During the finale at the Canfield United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School, this preschool and pre-kindergarten crew lea the other crews and volunteers in the song "Jump, Jump Jump."
By ABBY SLANKER
Children attending the Canfield United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School went on a “High Seas Expedition” the week of Aug. 2.
The children were divided into small groups, called crews, and were led by adult or teenage volunteers using the multi-age approach. The crews consisted of elementary kids in mixed-age groups with children who had finished kindergarten through fifth grade.
This approach provided the children the opportunity to make new friends and interact with a new group of children, while the older crew members were given the chance to help and guide the younger crew members.
“Studies show that children learn as much — or more — when they are linked with children of different ages,” said Vacation Bible School Director and Coordinator of Discipleship Formation Ministries Jody Malsch.
“Our approach allows children to develop new friendships, allows the older kids a chance to shine, the younger kids are cared for and Bible lessons are more memorable.”
The church averaged 94 children a day with 50 volunteers from the church helping out in all aspects.
“This week is not about numbers, it is about touching the hearts of the children who are here,” Malsch said.
The youth of the church were crew leaders and were responsible for leading four to seven children from station to station.
Stations included story telling, crafts/missions, games and Chadders Theatre/snack. The stations were run by adult station leaders and were assisted by a youth member of the church. The crews visited each station each day.
At the crafts/missions station, the children helped make blankets that will be donated to a local women’s shelter and Chadders Theatre consisted of viewing a portion of a video that told a continuous story throughout the week.
The week also focused a lot on music. Janet Williams, a church member volunteer and music teacher at C.H. Campbell Elementary School, guided the children in learning and singing the songs.
The church works with other area churches to share Vacation Bible School decorations. This allows the churches to save money, meet people and provides fellowship with the other churches.
On the last day of the week, the children held a finale for their families to demonstrate their week’s work. Each crew stood up and led the rest of the crews in a song. A video of all the activities during the week was also shown.
After the finale, the church held an indoor picnic for all the children and their families, with hot dogs, baked beans, pasta salad, chips and cookies being served.
The children also received a special treat on the last day. Dean Rapp, church member and owner of the North Lima Dairy Queen, donated ice cream for all participants, as he does each year.
The Canfield United Methodist Church will hold its Rally Day Sept. 12, during which the children will sing their Vacation Bible School songs for the congregation.