Variety Abounds In Local Summer VBS Programs

By Sharon Mager

With summer time just around the corner, the kids are ready for some serious fun. Pasadena and Severna Park churches are serving up just the thing - Vacation Bible School. With their offering of Bible stories, crafts, games, music and affordable fees, children are sure to have a blast. This year, there’s a variety of local programs to choose from.

Community United Methodist Church will organize a beach theme for their VBS program. The evening VBS is June 27 through July 1. The program is free but donations will be accepted.

The church will have free dinners each evening at 5:00pm Afterwards, kids will go from one action station to another so they can experience Bible stories, games, music, crafts and snacks. Lessons revolve around Jesus and his ministry. Adults will study the same lessons but in more of a Bible study format.

Lake Shore Baptist Church is “spreading the news” about their “Big Apple”-themed VBS from 5:30pm to 9:00pm June 20 through 24. The adventure is set in New York City. Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome and there is no charge. 

Severna Park Baptist Church will have the same “Big Apple” theme. Their VBS is in the mornings from 9:15am to noon June 17 to July 1. They’ll have a big apple family fun finale night at 6:30pm on July 1. The VBS is for children ages four through fifth grade.

Pasadena United Methodist Church will have “Shake it Up Cafe”, a cooking theme, for their VBS program from July 25 through the 29, 9:00am until 12:00pm. Kids will get to don chef’s hats and have fun in a pretend kid-friendly cafe where they learn to “carry out God’s recipe.” Each day will include crafts, music, story time, snacks and discovery time. Discovery time is a session with simple Science experiments. During game time kids get to play on a big water slide.

Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 400 Benfield Road is also using the “Shake It Up” curriculum. Their program is from 9:00am to noon, July 25 to 29 for kids ages 4 through 10.

Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian will sponsor the theme of “The Quest for Truth: Moses.” The program is from 8:45am to 12:15pm, July 11 to 15 for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. The cost is $10 per child with a maximum of $20 per family. Families will enjoy an end-of-week cookout at noon on July 15 with games and special activities.

Severna Park United Methodist Church will have a “Green” VBS. “ReNew: The Green VBS” is an environmentally focused program designed to teach children Biblical stewardship of God’s creation. The program is from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and is for children aged four through eleven. The cost is $20 per child or $50 per family.  July 18-22.

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church will host “PandaMania: Where God Is Wild About You” from 12:30pm to 3:15pm for children in preschool through fifth grade.  July 11-15.