What Is Vacation Bible School?

Vacation Bible School is a church-sponsored, week-long educational camp that focuses on children and teaches religion.

Time Frame

Vacation Bible School is usually associated with the summer, but churches will hold smaller camps during the fall, winter or spring. Although, those camps are usually happen over a weekend and do not run a week like the summer version.

History

The first known Vacation Bible School was started in the mid-1890s by an Illinois school teacher who thought that she was being too limited during her Sunday school classes and started a daily summer camp to study the Bible during the summer.

Significance

Vacation Bible Schools teach religious education through stories, bible readings, skits, songs, crafts puppet shows and other visible activities. One of the main goals of VBS programs are to make the Bible more understandable for children.

Age

Vacation Bible Schools are usually geared toward primary school children.

Cost

Vacation Bible School is usually provided for in the church budget and operates at no attendance cost for the kids who want to attend. VBS programs focus on education and do not turn children away.

Fun Fact

Churches usually operate their Vacation Bible Schools independently, but smaller churches have been known to combine their services and camp offerings to accommodate more children and pool resources.

References

• Lookout Magazine
• The Standard Times