While leisurely beach days and sunshine are at the forefront of most young minds during summer break, many families also look forward to the fun-filled tradition of Vacation Bible School. Vacation bible school programs provide age-appropriate games, crafts, skits, music and other activities designed to entertain and educate young minds about the Gospel message. 

What are Vacation Bible Schools?

Historically, its origins are credited to a doctor’s wife, Mrs. Walter Aylett Hawes, who rented a beer hall in New York’s East Side to conduct her Everyday Bible School in order to get kids off the street, according to an article in Christianity Today. Her idea caught on and Dr. Robert Boville, who worked for the Baptist Mission Society, picked up where Hawes left off. In the 1920s a publishing company in Cincinnati popularizing it when it printed a full-scale VBS program.

Thousands of kids ranging from pre-K through 5th grade will participate in VBS programs in South Florida this summer and teenagers often lend a hand as volunteers. Find a vacation bible school program near you.

Mega Sports Camp-Game Plan
June 9 – 12, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Ages: completed K-5th grade
Cost: $10/child, $30/family
Cross Community Church, 841 S.E. 2nd Court, Deerfield Beach
Contact: Allison Elmer at [email protected] or call 561-252-3570

Incredible Islands
June 9 – 13, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ages: entering K – 6th grade
Cost: $30
Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5555 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.
Contact: Charlotte Sauer at [email protected] or call 954-334-5168

Agency D3
June 9-13, 6:30-9 p.m.
Ages: Preschool – 6th Grade
FREE
First Church of the Nazarene, 916 N.E. 4th St., Pompano Beach
Visit www.pompanonaz.org or call Trish Spear at 954-942-6010
Closing Program June 15 at 10:30 a.m. with free lunch.

Agency D3
June 16 – 20, 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Ages: entering K – 5th Grade
Cost: $30
Boca Raton Community Church, 470 N.W. 4th Ave., Boca Raton.
Contact: Karen Palmer at [email protected] or call 561-395-2400

Weird Animals
June 16 – 20, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Ages: Preschool 3 (limited) – 8th Grade (entering)
Cost: Free
First Baptist Church, 138 N.E. 1st St., Pompano Beach
Contact: Jane Johnson at [email protected] or call (954)745-6115

KIDZ CAMP – Weird Animals
June 16-20, 9 a.m. -1 p.m.
Ages: (potty train) 3 -5th grade
Cost: $10
Community Christian Church, 10001 W. Commercial Blvd, Tamarac
Contact: Donna James at [email protected]

Camp Eleven 2014
June 23 – 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: entering K-5th grade
Cost: $50
The Harbour Church, 217 N.E. 3rd St., Pompano Beach
Contact: Allen Walker at [email protected] or call 954-876-307 ext 307
www.harbourchurch.com/events/camp-eleven-2014

Weird Animals
June 23 – 27, 8:30 a.m. – 12p.m.
Ages: 3-11
Cost: $35
First Baptist at Weston, 1420 Indian Trace, Weston.
Contact: Katrin Lindo at [email protected] or call 954-389-4555

Agency D3
June 30–July 4
Ages: entering grades K–5
Cost: $10/child, $25/family
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, 2401 W. Cypress Creek Rd., Fort Lauderdale
Contact: Joy Youngman at [email protected], or call 9549055120

Weird Animals
July 7-11, 5 – 7 p.m.
Ages: 6-11
Free
Riverside Church, 957 Rock Island Rd., North Lauderdale
Contact: Carla Stewart at [email protected] or call 954-720-8737

Wilderness Escape
July 14 – 18, 7 – 9:30 p.m.
All ages welcome to participate.
Cost $10
Living Word Christian Center International Ministries, 7493 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs
Contact Marcia Plummer at [email protected] or call 954-255-8403

Agency D3
July 21 – 25, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ages: 2 years – 5th Grade
(middle School and High School can volunteer)
Free
Sheridan Hills Baptist Church, 3751 Sheridan St., Hollywood.
Contact Shanna Sanders at [email protected] or call 954-961-4250

Agency D3
June 23 – 27, 8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: completed grade K-5th. Kindergarten students must have turned 5 by September 1, 2013.
Cost: $10
Parkridge Church, 5600 Coral Ridge Dr., Coral Springs.
Contact: Stacey Boyette at [email protected] or call 954-346-9009
Parkridgechurch.com

For more articles by Shelly Pond, please visit goodnewsfl.org/author/shelly/