This year’s edition of Vacation Bible School at Escalon Presbyterian Church on First Street was run under the theme of ‘Rolling River Rampage’ and offered participants the chance to ‘Experience the Ride of a Lifetime with God.’

Plenty of participants enjoyed the week, with dozens of VBS kids working with and learning from teachers and volunteer helpers.

“Our highest attendance day was 116 kids,” said VBS coordinator Lisa McCune.

The largest overall group was the youngest, she added, the pre-k and kindergarten students, with the highest attendance in that group being 36; next was the third and fourth grade, averaging 28 kids per day. Attendance figures show 113 kids at the VBS on Monday, 108 on Tuesday, 116 for Wednesday, 109 on Thursday and 110 for Friday.

Divided into age groups, the VBS kids rotated through a number of stations each day, from Bible stories to outdoor games, arts and crafts to snack time.

The youngest pre-k and kindergarten kids were classified as Otters, with the first and second grades known as Frogs for the week. Third and fourth graders were Owls and the fifth and sixth graders were Eagles.

After spending the week at VBS, all participants put on a show for family and friends featuring a number of songs prior to a picnic lunch of hots dogs, chips and watermelon for all on Friday.

April Adams served as emcee for the closing program, also providing a mission report, and Sandy Thompson offered the closing prayer.

“We had 38 volunteers, lots of kids and lots of adult helpers,” McCune said of the church hosting a successful VBS program. “And the weather has been a blessing.”

The VBS wrapped up with the luncheon on Friday, June 22 just before the triple digit heat arrived in the area for the weekend.