Vacation Bible School

I had the wonderful experience of being able to help plan Vacation Bible School at our church this past June.

It was the first time I'd gotten to organize something like this and I really learned a lot.

We had 16 kids sign up but 23 showed up, so that was really fun.  The ages were from Preschool to 4th or 5th grade.

We didn't break the kids up into classes because we didn't have enough teachers but I think it was more valuable to have all the ages together anyway. They all learned from each other and I was so amazed and proud of all the kids for how much they helped each other.  The bigger kids helped the little kids and the little kids adored the big kids.

Our theme was Saints around the world. We learned about a different Saint and a different country every day of the week and we had a bible story that focused on the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love.

We used the Catholic Kidz Camp curriculum.

The world travel part was mine and Rosie's favorite.

Here's a picture of my little angels on the first day of VBS.

I didn't get to take a lot of pictures during the week because I was busy with the kids and stuff.  I was in charge of the snack time and the game time. Both were really fun to do. I wanted the snack for each day to reflect the country we were "visiting" or some how relate to the story of the Saint of that day.

Game time I was apprehensive about because I didn't really think I'd be good at it at all. But the kids and I actually ended up having a really good time with the silly (and some times crazy) games.  The kids taught me "Sharks and Minnows," which is basically tag but more fun.

Here are the few picture I did manage to remember to take...

In the snack room the girls who decorated changed the table cloths every day to look the the flag of the country we were "visiting."

I wish I would have remembered to take pictures of them every day but I only managed the first day. We went to Mexico.
Rosie really loved the part about the flags and has decided that her country's flag is the prettiest. She still loves pointing it out when ever she sees one.

In Mexico we met St. Juan Diego.  Here is a picture of William modeling the costume I made for St. Juan Diego.

One of the things I really wanted to do was decorate an area that represented each country every day. Perhaps it was a bit overly ambitions and extra work. But it sure was fun.

This is the space I decorated for Ireland where we met St. Brigid.

I even pulled out my mom's family tartan for the special day. I don't think any one noticed but I thought it was fun anyway.

 Obi had fun playing with his little and big friends that week.

Each of the kids got their own little Passport that we stamped each day for each country.  Obi's "passport picture" was so funny and so cute I have to share it with you.

We told him to smile and this is what we got.

 My favorite day was the day we visited Turkey and learned about St. Nicolas.

Did you know that St. Nicolas was from Turkey?

(we ate Turkish Delight that day... yum)

We had an extra special guest that day! Father Michael dressed up as St. Nicolas for us and talked to the kids (in character!!) as St. Bishop Nicolas.

Then he threw chocolate coins at them.






I'm really not sure who had more fun that day. Me, the kids, or Father Michael.

Here is a picture of all our Saints for the week.
We met and hung out with
St. Juan Diego in Mexico,
St. Kateri Tekakwitha in the U.S.,
St. Nicolas in Turkey,
St. Brigid in Ireland and
St. Martin in Peru.

On the very last day we learned about the only Native American Saint, St. Kateri Tekakwitha. We invited the kids to dress up as Native Americans if they wanted to. I was very impressed with how many actually did. 

Here is a not very good picture of Obi dancing in the costume I made for him.

William even made this awesome Teepee for the day and we had class outside. We were very lucky the weather wasn't too hot that day.

 

The friendships I formed with some of the kids that week are really special and it so fun that they still run up to me in church and give me a hug. I can't wait till next year!