Vacation BIble School

In partnership with Bethesda UMC

St. Paul’s is partnering with Bethesda UMC in offering the VBS experience "Hero Hotline." 


June 19, 2023 — June 23, 2023


9:00am — 12:00pm


For children age 4 (and potty-trained) to rising-5th-grade.


Bethesda United Methodist Church

8300 Old Georgetown Road

Bethesda, MD 21704


Children will enjoy an interactive, energizing, Bible-based good time. Guided by this new Vacation Bible School program published by Cokesbury, young people become Heroes, learn about Bible Heroes, and discover that answering God’s call means striving together for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up! 


To register as a camper or a volunteer,

go to https://vbspro.events/p/events/bumcvbs2023


The cost is $25.00 for one child, and $40.00 for more than one child. St. Paul's has camperships/scholarships available to allow families to participate in activities without financial worries. 


Please contact Dr. Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org) for questions about this VBS partnership, or a confidential conversation about camperships.

VBS

St. Paul’s Vacation Bible School - Canceled for 2020

(Originally scheduled for June 16-19, Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)


Those who registered and provided camp payments will receive a message from VBS coordinators regarding refund options. Please scroll down for a message from our VBS Leadership Team. You can also read more about the camper experience in a normal operating year. We look forward to seeing you in 2021!

A Letter from the VBS Team

Dear families and friends of VBS Camp @ St. Paul’s UMC:


While this announcement will come as no surprise, please know these words have been very difficult for us to craft. With much sadness, we need to announce that VBS Camp has been canceled for the summer of 2020.


For all of us, the start of summer is highlighted and "kicked off" by our camp and our time together with your children. This year will be different. We will certainly miss the 120+ happy campers and their smiling faces; the 40 enthusiastic youth helpers and the 30 or so hard-working adults who all come together to make our camp an annual adventure and truly something special.


As we continue to socially distance and find new ways to be creative while staying safe and healthy during this unusual time, our prayers are with all of you. Throughout the coming year, especially when our spirits and energy might be running low, we will channel the wide-eyed enthusiasm and joyful effervescence of our young campers.


If you have already registered for camp this summer, we will process a refund for your $25/camper tuition over the next several weeks. Alternatively, if you wish to donate your camp fee to the Hunger Ministry fund instead, please let us know by emailing Laura Simpson ( LPSimpson44 [at] gmail.com). You can read about the Hunger Ministry by clicking here.


We love you, we will miss you, and most of all, we look forward to camp with you next summer!


Best wishes,

The VBS team

Robin Mayhew

Laura Simpson

Athena Gaalswyk

VBS 2020

CANCELED

Under normal operating circumstances, children age 3 through rising 5th grade from throughout the community will enjoy the VBS program at St. Paul's. Adult teachers and youth volunteers shepherd our joyful campers as they enjoy Bible stories, songs, crafts, active play, and - of course - snacks! We are so sorry that camp has to be canceled for 2020. If you want to know more about what a normal camp year looks like, please keep reading. Stay safe and well, and we'll see you in 2021!


(For the Youth Helper information scroll to the section below!)


Applications open each year at St. Patrick's Day and are accepted until May 1 or when classes are full. A limited number of late applications may be accepted from May 1 to June 1 depending on availability. Permission Slip, Medical, and Photo Release forms are included in the online Registration process. All campers must have permission forms turned in by or before the first day of camp. If you need a paper copy, please contact the church office at stpaulsunited [at] stpaulsk.org for assistance. All registered campers (parents/guardians) receive a confirmation email from a member of our VBS leadership team.


CAMPERS (and parents!): Here's what to expect when camp is open!


ARRIVING & LEAVING


9:00 a.m. DROP OFF

Drop off each day is in the Sanctuary at St. Paul’s. The easiest way to get to the Sanctuary is through the double doors on Armory Avenue. The registration tables will be outside (weather permitting). On the first day, please come 10-15 minutes early to drop off permission slips, pick-up name tags, and find your group before the program starts.


12:00 p.m.  PICK UP

Pick up will be at the child's last center of the day. This means each group will have its own pick-up location. Pick-up locations will be given out on the first day of VBS and posted around the church as well. 


ON THE LAST DAY...

There will be a short program starting at 11:35 a.m. in the Sanctuary on the final day, Friday, starring all of the campers! This is an event not to be missed. Your parents can take you home right after the program is finished.

 

WHAT WE WEAR

· Clothes that can get messy or wet – because you just might get messy and wet!

· Sunscreen and bug spray

· Something  - or everything - that matches the Colors of the Day! These colors are listed right here before camp starts. Here is a sample:

  • Tuesday: Green and White
  • Wednesday: Pink and Blue
  • Thursday: Rainbows / Rainbow colors
  • Friday: Camp T-Shirt, provided by VBS


BIBLICAL FOCUS

This varies each year. For instance, for the camp theme "Once Upon a Breadbasket," lessons are built around God's gifts that feed people and breaking bread together. Here are sample scripture passages that would serve as the lesson focus each day:

  • Tuesday: Exodus 16 - Manna from heaven.
  • Wednesday: 1 Kings 16:29-17:16 - Elijah and the ravens.
  • Thursday: Matthew 4:13-22; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15 - Loaves and fishes.
  • Friday: John 6:35-40 - Jesus is the bread of life.


QUESTIONS?

If you need more information about VBS and the Camper experience, please contact Robin Mayhew (robin_mayhew [at] comcast.net), the church office, or another member of the VBS Leadership Team.

CANCELED

No VBS Youth Helpers in 2020

We are so sorry that this annual opportunity for leadership and fun has to be canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. We will NOT have any youth helper opportunities this year.


In a normal year, our VBS Volunteer Youth Staff corps is made of young people who will have finished grade 5 and above by the time VBS begins. The Youth Helper corps is limited to 40 to prevent over-staffing problems. We always receive more applications than we have spots available! Applications are processed in the order they are received and Youth Helper spots are not guaranteed year to year. Weighted preference will be given to those who have served previously as Youth Helpers, those who have been VBS campers, and those who are members of St. Paul's UMC. Once we are fully staffed, we will create a wait-list; those on the list will only be called if someone declines or drops out. Youth Staff Helpers MUST attend a mandatory orientation session regardless of previous experience. Training sessions are offered on two dates in early June. (Helpers need only attend one date.)  


When camp is operating, SSL hours are available for most elements of the camp counselor experience. Youth volunteers will also be required to turn in permission forms by or before the first day of camp, or they will not be allowed to participate. 


For other questions about Youth Staff Helpers, contact Mrs. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education (mbaker [at] stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 104).


While we are very sad to cancel camp in 2020, we must do our best to keep everyone as safe as possible. We will miss all your hard work, cheerful presence, and spirit-filled leadership, and hope to see you in 2021!