It was a jungle in there: Vacation Bible School posts record turnout

VBS

Three-year-old Katie Scarola (right) reacts to the bubbles during Vacation Bible School June 21 to 25 at Peterson Chapel on Peterson Air Force Base. VBS had a record turnout with 150 children ages 3 to 12 participating in making crafts, dancing, playing outdoor games and singing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Larry Hulst)

VBS

Kacie Sandy, 13, (left) and Bella Ivone, 14, put together wooden butterflies for birdhouses that children will paint during Vacation Bible School, June 21 to 25 at the Peterson Chapel on Peterson Air Force Base. Thirty teen-agers volunteered to help children with crafts, outdoor activities and singing and dancing. This year, a record 150 children ages 3 to 12, attended VBS. (U. S. Air Force photo/Larry Hulst)

VBS

It was a jungle in there. The Peterson Chapel and annex was transformed into a rain forest theme for this year’s Vacation Bible School, June 21 to 25 on Peterson Air Force Base which had a record turnout of 150 children ages 3 to 12 and 60 adult and teen-age volunteers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Larry Hulst)

VBS

Music leader Diane Martin shows children at Vacation Bible School dance motions as part of the singing and dancing tribute they prepared for parents to culminate a week of VBS June 21 to 25. A record number of children ages 3 to 12 participated in the annual VBS at Peterson Chapel on Peterson AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Larry Hulst)

Published June 29, 2010
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- It could have been the summer heat or the jungle theme in the halls of the Peterson Chapel, but Mollie Raymond turned to 30 teen-agers and asked them to do something that could have caused widespread panic in the teen-aged world: put away your cell phones.

"I asked them to be important in the life of a little person," said Ms. Raymond, co-director of Vacation Bible School on Peterson Air Force Base.

"They have stepped up to the plate in every way," she said.

This year, 30 teen-agers and 30 adults volunteered to be mentors and helpers at the annual Vacation Bible School on Peterson AFB. Word was out about the quality program as a record number of youth - 150 - signed up for the week-long VBS June 21 to 25 that included crafts, games and lots of fun, said Ms. Raymond.

"It's a week of fun activities in a safe, faithful environment," she said. "The idea is to make new friends, and enjoy activities that have been planned by wonderful volunteers."

Kacie Sandy, 13, and Bella Ivone, 14, volunteered at VBS and were assigned to the craft room. They prepared projects, like wooden birdhouses and pots, for the children to paint. Their volunteer hours count toward their confirmation goals.

"I thought it would be fun," said Kacie Sandy about why she volunteered.

Trish Mehner, VBS co-director, said kids love VBS because it isn't at all like school.

"You get to scream. You get to dance. You get to run around and be a kid," she said. "And what's more important is you get to see adults doing it too."

The children and volunteers ended the week with an assembly where they sang and paid tribute to military parents. And then, they kicked back and had some pizza.

"It's a great community chapel, ministry event," Ms. Raymond said. "It's been a real blessing to be part of it."