DesotoExplorer.com

The De Soto United Methodist Church's vacation Bible school last week brought in a large number of children who were not members of its congregation.

"I would say 75 percent are not members of the church," vacation Bible school director Becky Miller said. "We've averaged about 50 kids per night."

Miller worked with Megen Pilger, Lisa Roberts and Kay Speed planning the weeklong event that concluded with a performance for the children's parents Friday night.

Like De Soto Baptist Church's vacation Bible school earlier this summer, the Methodist's theme was "Power Lab."

Miller said both churches had the same program because it is a package offered by Group, a vacation Bible school publisher.

Although the programs were from the same place, Miller said the churches likely targeted different crowds because De Soto Baptist Church offers its program in the day, while DUMC offers its program in the evening.

"We did that to try to get a different crowd," she said.

The children were divided into groups and rotated through different sections, including crafts, a movie and Bible study. The children also had songs they work on.

"One night they got to walk on water, which was a mixture of water and corn starch," Miller said.

While the programs were given to them, the members of the church still had a lot of work to do, Miller said.

"We kind of had to do our own decorations," she said. "A lot of the job is coming up with the volunteers and scheduling them."

Throughout the week 32 volunteers helped with the program, including De Soto High School sophomore Briana Hooper. She helped work with the children on their music and hand gestures with a pair of mad scientist goggles on her face.

"They're fun and the kids like them," she said of the goggles.

Briana was volunteering because she likes working with children and hopes to be a kindergarten teacher.

Eight-year-old Grace Lindsey, of De Soto sat quietly in Chadder's Theatre, which featured movies about a Chipmunk who teaches the children Bible lessons.

"I like to do the crafts and watch Chadder and play the games," Grace said of her favorite parts of vacation Bible school.

Comments