Vacation Bible School: A Summer of Fun and Learning for Students and Volunteers

For children, when school lets out for the summer, it’s the ultimate break time. And while summer offers kids the chance to “recharge” for the upcoming school year, it doesn’t mean they have to stop learning. This summer at St. Anthony of Padua, our youth have a chance to learn about their faith while having plenty of fun at Vacation Bible School, or VBS.

This year’s VBS program will take place August 2-6. All ages are invited to get involved in VBS!

As there was no VBS last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program is all the more anticipated this year. For the 2020 program, Director of Religious Education Bonnie Nytes sent home about 40 packets with lessons, crafts, and treats for an at-home VBS experience. While this helped ensure that our children and families remained safe during the pandemic, it could never completely replace the fun of gathering together to learn the faith.

Bonnie appreciates that VBS makes learning about the Catholic faith so much fun. In turn, the learning and fun aren’t just for the kids — the adults have a blast, too.

“Shouldn’t learning about how much God loves us be fun, after all?” Bonnie says. “Volunteers have often shared that they have deepened their own faith by sharing this time of fun and learning with the children.” VBS is divided into four stations — games, crafts, snacks, and a Bible and music area. Each session starts with a large group gathering to learn the lesson for the day. The week and all of the activities fall under a theme.

Bonnie believes it’s important for youth to have opportunities to grow in faith through activities that are specific to their age. Sparking their curiosity makes them want to learn, and of course, children naturally want to have fun. Each year, they can enjoy learning about the faith while playing games, having a snack, and singing. that they will begin to grow in their relationship with Jesus.”

Adult volunteers and those in sixth grade and older are needed to assist at VBS. Bonnie appreciates the youth who remain involved in VBS, from being attendees as children to volunteering in the program.

“Sharing our faith with our children is so important in the life of the church for the future of our family of God,” Bonnie says.

Registration forms will be placed in the bulletin and in the church office in July. For more information, please contact the parish office at 217-222-5996.