Escalon Presbyterian Church on First Street welcomed dozens of youngsters back to its Vacation Bible School this past week.
Hosted from Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1, theme for the 2022 VBS was Rocky Railway, featuring the slogan Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through.
“We had 50 kids on the highest day and we have about 50 volunteers,” said coordinator Lisa McCune. “It has been successful. This is our first year back since 2019, we didn’t have it in person in 2020 or 2021.”
Having the chance to put on a full-fledged Vacation Bible School this year was exciting for all the leaders and volunteers, added McCune, noting that some that last attended in 2019 as ‘campers’ were now old enough to be helpers, assisting with the younger kids.
Arts and crafts projects ranged from making picture frames to designing railway-themed T-shirts, painting rocks, along with the kids taking part in recreational activities, hearing Bible stories and learning songs to put on a closing program on Friday for family and friends. The program was followed by a free lunch for all.
The VBS was open to Pre-K through sixth grade students; older kids could serve as helpers.
Pre-K and kindergarten students were designated as Billy Goats for the week; first and second graders were Eagles. The third/fourth grade group were named the Mountain Lions and the fifth/sixth grade attendees were Rams.
Escalon Presbyterian Church Pastor Troy Onsager provided the greeting and opening prayer for the Friday program, July 1, as well as offering a mission report before the VBS attendees took the stage for their various musical performances.
Also during the week, campers were encouraged to bring in donations of canned and non-perishable food items to be donated to C.A.R.E., the Community Action Resources of Escalon, which was this year’s designated charity to benefit from the VBS donations. Monetary donations were accepted as well to benefit the local food pantry.
Stephanie Bruns took on leadership of the snack crew, providing healthy and fun snacks throughout the week, many with a railroad theme.
“The teenagers were very helpful this year and very on task,” she noted of her helpers. “We had a really good group of people.”
McCune said everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity to take part in the VBS during the week.
“The biggest thing is just coming back,” she said of gathering together for the five-day Rocky Railway event. “It’s good to be back.”
