Children participate in a space-themed vacation Bible school event in June 2023 at Community Church of Columbus, 3850 N. Marr Road. The church’s event June 3-8 this year is among many in the area that will have an under-the-sea theme.
Photo provided
Summer fun can blend with learning and new friendships for youngsters, and in some cases, the whole family in the coming weeks under the popular banner of vacation Bible school. This summer, as in other recent years, a number of these events carry an aquatic theme.
Many churches are just adding their dates and plans to websites and bulletins, but here is an early overview of a few local programs, listed in chronological order, that mix everything from music to crafts to Bible stories.
- Grace Lutheran — “Celebrate the Savior: Jesus Gives Us Joy” will be offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 28-31 at the church, 3201 Central Ave. in Columbus. The program is for youngsters ages 3 to 12. Registration: 812-372-4859 or gracecolumbus.org/events-2/?event=1346.
- First Christian — “Scuba: Diving into Friendship With God” will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 3-6 at the church at 531 5th St. in Columbus. Activities “take kids deep into an amazing undersea adventure where they’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God,” according to promotional materials for the curriculum. Information: fccoc.org.
- Asbury United Methodist — Vacation Bible School is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. June 3-6 at the church at 1751 27th St. in Columbus. Registration is open at asburycolumbus.org.
- Community Church of Columbus — “Scuba: Diving Into Friendship With God” will be presented June 3-8 at the church at 3850 N. Marr Road in Columbus. The program is open to kids attending kindergarten through sixth grade in the fall of 2024 (they must be age 5 by July 31). Information: cccolumbus.org.
- Terrace Lake — “Breaker Rock Beach” family-style Vacation Bible School is designed for kids and parents to attend together. Part of theme is from Romans 12:2: “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The program will be from June 4-7 from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the church at 4260 W. County Road 200S in Columbus. Check-in begins at 5:15 p.m. Dinner will be from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Information: terracelake.org.
- St. Peter’s Lutheran — Children’s day camp “Start the Party” is scheduled from June 10-13 at the church at 719 Fifth St. in Columbus. Information: stpeterscolumbus.org.
- Garden City Christian — “Scuba: Diving into Friendship With God” will be presented from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 23-27 at the church, 3245 Jonesville Road in Garden City. Registration: vbspro.events/p/gccc.
- Sandy Hook United Methodist, Petersville United Methodist and First Lutheran — “Mission: Deep Sea” will be July 8-10 in Columbus with each church hosting a different day of the program. The event is for children pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Information: sandyhook.org.
- St. Paul Lutheran — Vacation Bible school, “Shelter in the Savior” will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 8-12 at the church at 6045 E. State St. in Columbus for ages 3 through sixth grade. Register at stpaulcolumbus.org/vbs2024.
- Parkside Baptist — Vacation Bible School “WildLive! Showcasing Christ’s Character” will be from 6 to 8 p.m. July 15-19 at the church at 1780 Rocky Ford Road in Columbus. Information and registration: sites.google.com/view/parkside-kids/home/vacation-bible-school.
- East Columbus United Methodist — “Scuba: Diving into Friendship With God” will be July 17 to July 19 at the church, 2439 Indiana Ave., Columbus. The program is open to all kids between the ages of 3 and sixth grade completed. The children do not need to be members of or currently attending East Columbus United Methodist. Information: eastcolumbusumc.org/childrens-ministries.html.
