Vacation Bible School volunteers lead a class of younger students through a dance routine as part of an ecumenical, Bible-based curriculum during four morning classes.
Not quite an army, but a battalion’s worth of kindergarteners through teenagers, parents, spouses, Soldiers and other volunteers made this year’s Vacation Bible School at Fort Irwin one of its most memorable in many years.
The weekday morning sessions the last week of July involved 231 children and more than 400 parents and volunteers in an ecumenical, Bible-based program that rotated children through four, age-appropriate classes: Epic Bible Adventures, Tournament Games, Chadder’s Real Theater and Missions, and Imagination Station.
“Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong For God,” the theme for this year’s VBS, was echoed throughout the week through sharing stories and singing and dancing songs, as children learned the importance of love, trust, family and friends. The school included a special focus on the people of India, with students learning words in Hindi, in partnership with the chapel’s Operation Kid to Kid program.
Photo courtesy of Fort Irwin ChapelVacation Bible School staff and volunteers were key to the school’s success.
An overflow crowd of more than 500 parents, students, friends, and senior leaders of the Fort Irwin military community gathered for a mid-day Fanfare Finale, Aug. 2. VBS students and volunteers serenaded them with songs, and the chapel later treated all to a barbecue and hotdogs.
“This year’s 2013 Vacation Bible School was a huge success, because of our amazing volunteers and the parents that allowed us to bless their kids,” said Chaplain (Col.) Terry L. McBride, National Training Center and Fort Irwin Command Chaplain. “It was a huge success that enabled the Religious Support Operations Staff to kick off our Religious Support Program for Fiscal Year 2014. What a blessing to see the whole community work together in the midst of so many drawdowns and furloughs. We have some absolutely wonderful folks here on Fort Irwin and over 1,700 plus attended this great event!”