On Friday, July 19th I again had an opportunity to attend the closing ceremonies of the Bardsdale United Methodist Church's 2013 Vacation Bible School (VBS). This was my third year of being invited to the final day of the Bardsdale Methodist Church's VBS. Each year I am always impressed with the energy around the VBS's staff and participants. The staff is comprised by a number of former, career educators, who volunteer their time, knowledge and in some cases money and materials to ensure an exciting VBS. The curriculum for VBS originates with the United Methodist Church through Cokesbury Publishers. The curriculum is shared from the East Coast to the West Coast after it is first used on the East Coast and fine tuned.

This year's theme was; “Everywhere Fun Fair. Where God's World Comes Together! Global Neighbors.” The Bardsdale United Methodist Church's VBS started on Monday, July 15th and ended on Friday, July 19th. There were a total of 90 registered children ages 3 years to 16 years who attended each day from 9:00 am. to 12:00 noon at the Church. The cost to each participant was $15 which included a “T” shirt, crafts materials, group picture and daily healthy snacks.

The Director of this years program was long-time Director Sharon Hurd. There were approximately 20 adult staff/volunteers and 9 youth leaders participating and assisting in this year's Vacation Bible School. Of the 90 children, nineteen were Pre-Schoolers ages 3-5 years. The Bardsdale United Methodist Church's Pastor Kent Fromer had previously told me, “Preparation begins for the Vacation Bible School months in advance and the Director and volunteers work many hours selecting the theme and lining up the volunteers and staff in order to have a meaningful Vacation Bible School!”

Carolyn Diaz, one of the staff members, explained to me the choice and meaning of this year's theme: “The theme for this year's VBS, Global Neighbors: Global Neighbors are friendly, giving, bold, forgiving and welcoming! The theme allowed for five teaching centers; Global Storytelling, Global Games (allowed for each child to participate in physical education activities), Music Center (DVD Music Dance), Bible Retelling and Crafts. Each day the students rotated through all five centers for 20 minute lessons that followed the Global Neighbor Theme. The country’s studied were; Japan, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Australia and Mexico. At the end of the day there is a discussion with participants of what was learned for that day. Today's focus was on Mexico.

In addition to learning the daily lessons each participant was taught the lesson of giving to others less fortunate and were encouraged to bring a daily donation to be shared equally between two selected causes. The first cause to help feed needy families and individuals through the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fillmore for their weekly, Tuesday, “Bags of Food.” Another cause is the United Methodist 's, UMCOR program. UMCOR provides the necessary supplies and relief to U.S.A. and World Neighbors who have experienced natural disasters Director Sharon Hurd said, “With the pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters brought each day by the children over $150 had been collected and will be divided equally among the two selected programs.” Children will practice and learn, through these donations, the value of giving to others and helping others. Or, being good neighbors!

I visited the learning centers and saw that in each center the adult mentor for their particular center had given much thought to designing their center and using appropriate teaching methods to present their topic. In Susan Johnson's Global Storytelling Center modern technology was used to allow the participants to read from a single computer monitor as Ms. Johnson read from the opposite side. On her walls were items representative of each of the five country’s studied during the week.

Family and Friends of the children sat in the pews and beamed with pride as they watched their children perform some of the lessons they learned during this years educational and fun filled Vacation Bible School program. From what I saw of their high energy level and excitement to sing, or perform in the Bible Drama selected for this day, I think all the children enjoyed themselves this past week. Good job Director Hurd and all of your staff and volunteers in providing a meaningful week for the 90 participants.