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Camp Branch United Methodist Church held its annual Vacation Bible School series this year from July 22-26 with the theme, “Camp Firelight.” (Contributed)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Children were treated to an educational summer camp full of activities and lessons about trusting God during Camp Branch United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School series entitled, “Camp Firelight.”

As a congregation that has been serving the area more than 200 years, Camp Branch UMC has made a tradition of holding a VBS each year for several decades. This year’s installment took place July 22-26 from 9 a.m. to noon each day for children ages 3 to sixth grade.

“I think it went really well,” said Debra Payne, who organized this year’s VBS. “We had many new campers, as we called this year’s attendees, and we always love to see our returning ones. So, it went very well.”

The Camp Firelight theme of this year’s VBS treated kids to a plethora of camp activities as they explored the church building which sported decorations that complemented the summery motif.

“We love VBS at Camp Branch because all the volunteers are very caring of our children and teach them about God in a way they can really understand and relate to,” said Meagan Campbell, a mother whose kids attended the series.

In addition to the summer camp theming, each day of VBS was centered around a particular element of trust, including trusting God to be with us, lead us, give us peace, spark joy and give us wisdom.

“The newcomers were so excited,” Payne said. “That was one of my favorite things—it’s so fun to see them come through the door each day. We greeted them with the music playing, the lights were all on… They were all excited and came through the door ready to be at Bible school.”

Each day saw the kids introduced to the theme of the day and a Bible lesson before then rotating through series of activities, including crafts, recreation, music, snacks and science lessons.

“I love VBS because God is good, and I love playing the games at recreation,” said one 5-year-old girl who attended the series.

In addition to providing a number of festivities for the children to enjoy, each year Camp Branch also takes the opportunity to designate a special mission project at VBS to teach the kids about the importance of helping others.

Last year, the church collected money to send to Alabamian missionaries in Africa to help them set up Children’s Days for the children in their country. One year, they collected money for Children’s Harbor, a retreat for families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer. And another year they collected canned goods for Manna Ministries in Alabaster.

For this year’s mission project, the church chose to support Heifer International—an organization located in Arkansas that aims to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. The organization provides seed investments of livestock or agriculture as well as mentorship to help families build a business and method to sustain their families.

During VBS, the children collected enough funds to support seven Earth Gift baskets. Each basket includes a hive of bees and tree seedlings to help families increase their crop production.

“What we’re trying to teach them more about is, when we love God, then we want to give to others and that’s what it’s all about,” Payne said.

Camp Branch United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School program was made possible thanks to a variety of volunteers.

“We have lots of great volunteers, both from the church and the community who are essential to putting together Bible school,” Payne said.

Included in the array of volunteers are a number of kids who have outgrown the program but still wish to contribute and be involved.

“I love volunteering at VBS because each teacher makes me feel like family,” said Zoey Catron, a teen volunteer who assisted at this year’s VBS. “They always have crafts and snacks that fit the theme of the VBS for the year. I feel like my relationship with God grows each summer because they make it easier to interpret parts of the Bible that can be challenging as a child to understand.”

With this year’s Vacation Bible School complete, the church is already looking ahead and has set next year’s VBS series for July 14-18.

“God’s love is active and alive through the Holy Spirit at Camp Branch UMC,” said Keith Owens who serves as pastor at Camp Branch. “God planted us over 200 years ago to serve our community and VBS is one of the many ways we serve as God calls us. God loves children and so do we.”

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