Kids, families have fun at VBS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Foster
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  It's 8:45 a.m. and the entrance hall of the base chapel is starting to fill up with excited children. It's Vacation Bible School time.

VBS is a program for kids ages five through fifth grade that incorporates fun with Bible lessons and includes both Protestant and Catholic congregations. This year's theme is "Daniel's Courage in Captivity."

"It's not just for kids that are religious," said Chaplain (Capt.) Michael Gorton. "These programs help us to invest in the resiliency of families on base. Obviously we approach from the spiritual side of things, but it provides a wonderful social opportunity for families and children, as well."

Even though some of the families attend services off base, VBS is open to all the children from Hanscom. Families can also use the time to become familiar with the chapel and the services they offer.

"In the height of PCS season, it's really nice to welcome new families with a big event that can get the children involved with other kids before school starts," said Krista Madden, Protestant coordinator. "It's a great way to build the family support and community on base."

Each day of the week starts off with the children attending an opening celebration with singing and dancing. They are then split into their individual groups, or tribes, and participate in a small Bible study session. Once completed, kids start a rotation of games, snacks, crafts and one-on-one time with "Daniel" to learn a lesson before heading back to their tribes for another Bible study lesson and verse. The daily gathering concludes with everyone joining together again for singing and dancing.

"I think it's important because it's another way to instill the values we hold dear into our children," said Jodie Geiss, mother and VBS volunteer. "My oldest went on and on last night about her leader, so I think they had a real connection, and my middle one was talking all about the Bible lesson they learned. She was so excited to read about the culture."

With 72 kids signed up for the week-long event, many volunteers and a lot of outside help was required to set up, plan and carry out the tasks to guarantee success.

"The Hanscom Spouse's Club opened their doors on a day they normally would be closed so we could go through and get decorating supplies for the chapel," Madden said. "We've had a lot of help from a lot of people on the base."

Madden also said there were 51 volunteers on the roster that would help out sometime during the week.

"These people spent a lot of time and energy in transforming the chapel into a great experience for the kids so when they come in and it's been transformed, it'll capture their hearts and imaginations," said Gorton. "We want the kids to go home and be excited to come back the next day. The fuel for a lot we do at the chapel are our volunteers doing things, not for themselves, but for other people."

Valerie Howe, the Catholic coordinator and director for religious education and programs, added that a program like VBS really brings the community together and gives common ground for people to discuss what the chapel is doing.

"At the chapel, we're obviously concerned about our Airmen, but we also seek to bolster and strengthen the family units, from kids all the way up to mom and dad," Gorton said. "We want to make sure we're investing in our families. For a lot of people, this may be their only experience with the chapel and it gives them an opportunity to see what we're about. Then, later on in life, they may remember the experience and know they can go to chapel staff and can trust them."

Madden said the most important thing was for the kids to have fun and to be excited to come to the chapel and to know it is a safe and happy place.

Elizabeth Endicott, a VBS student going into second grade, had a very positive experience after her first day.

"I like it because it's amazing, really fun and cool and has wonderful songs," she said.

Endicott, along with her younger brother, Sonny, both agreed that making the scrolls on Monday was their favorite activity.

The chapel also offers other programs that cater to adults and aims to strengthen the family unit. The next major event is a Marriage Care Retreat held Aug. 24 through 26 in Windsor Hills, N.H. Active duty Air Force members and their spouses are invited for a free weekend without kids to strengthen their marriage. All expenses are paid, including meals, materials, lodging and transportation. The deadline to sign up is Aug. 13.

For more information or to sign up, call the chapel at 781-225-5501.