Dozens of kids, and plenty of helpers, made for a successful Vacation Bible School recently at Christian Reformed Church on California Street in Escalon.

Hosted from Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20 – with a wrap up family barbecue and program on Friday – the VBS brought kids together to enjoy hearing Bible stories, doing crafts, playing outdoor games, and learning new songs about faith and fellowship.

“Our highest attendance was 126,” said VBS coordinator Heidi Veldstra of the top turnout among the five days. “The VBS was for kindergarten through fifth grade and we also had about 60 helpers overall.”

The VBS ran from 9 a.m. to noon each day, with the exception of Friday, when they wrapped it up with the luncheon and program, extending a little past the noon hour.

Theme this year was “Shipwrecked” and Veldstra said they also chose the Modesto Gospel Mission as the beneficiary of offerings brought in.

“Any money we collect, we are buying shoes and will take them in for their Back To School drive,” Veldstra said.

That event, with shoes and other school essentials being distributed to needy children in the area, is set for Saturday, July 28 at the Modesto Gospel Mission.

Veldstra added that attendance this year seemed to be the “biggest group” of the last few years at the VBS. More children were enrolled in the kindergarten through third grade groups, she said, with fourth and fifth grade enrollment a little lower but still good overall.