Vacation Bible School was in full swing at the Presbyterian Church on First Street in Escalon this past week, with dozens of young participants learning about praise, giving and the Bible through fun activities, music and more.

VBS leaders said the ‘Surf Shack’ theme was popular, with the program running from 8:45 a.m. to noon each day, Monday through Friday, at the church site on First Street.

Numbers ranged from a high of about 42 students in the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes to about three dozen in the third and fourth grades, with another 40 registered in first and second, and about three dozen in the fifth and sixth grade class. Middle and high school students, along with adults, served as leaders and helpers.

From crafts like crab T-shirts to picture frames, learning Bible stories and bringing in food donations for the local C.A.R.E. center, preparing a program of songs for the final day presentation to parents, the kids all seemed to enjoy the ‘beachy’ theme. They also did a service project of filling small gift bags with a few necessities such as laundry soap, dish soap and waters to give out to those in need.