by Sara Lupu
Staff Writer
Using the summer Olympics in Athens, Greece as an inspiration, the Grace Church of La Verne will be holding a vacation bible school day camp for children in the area from July 12 to 16.
The program is put on in part by the Children’s Ministry portion of the church and is looking to pull in as many kids as possible, 4 years of age up to fifth graders.
The day camp, lasting from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every day, is named the Sun Games Day Camp this year, and is concentrating on making this camp more than just a day care.
“The camp will use activities and skits to emphasize the values of sportsmanship and teambuilding while introducing children to the love of Christ,” said Babbie Roxann, head of publicity.
While the kids will all be referred to as “team members” and the volunteers “coaches,” the activities will be geared toward the day camp’s theme of Sun Games. Kids will be involved in choirs, arts and crafts, skits and bible studies with an emphasis on Olympic medalists who came to know Jesus through their trials and testimonies as Olympic athletes.
The week-long culmination activity consists of a picnic and “Olympic games” where family and friends can come and see all the things the kids created and learned. It will end with a performance of the songs and skits.
“This is a great opportunity for kids to get to know other kids in the community and have something to do during the summer where they can be outside in the sun playing games instead of watching television,” said head of Children’s Ministry, Donna Harstine.
The church, located at 6700 N. San Dimas Canyon Rd. in San Dimas, has offered the vacation bible school annually every summer and continues to expand the activities and benefits for the children and community involved.
“This really enables the community to get a glimpse of what Grace Church is about and how important the children are,” University of La Verne student Connie McMillan said. “It also is a chance to teach kids social morals and values while they are having fun at the same time.”
Volunteers are a huge part of the program and make the activities and extra functions such as the Olympic games at the end of the week possible. Close to 70 community members take part in the events all ranging in age from junior high schoolers to retired members.
“I am really excited to volunteer this year because my daughter Lauren will be there and I love working with kids,” McMillan said. “I’m looking forward to being a coach and maybe even someone that the kids can open up to.”
Registration begins June 20 outside of the church and fees are $20 per child and an extra $7 for a camp shirt that the kids will have a chance to tie-dye during the week.
“Every summer this camp is a lot of fun, and we really encourage kids to come out and bring a friend even if you don’t belong to the church,” Roxanne said.
Grace Church is non-denominational and welcomes all children who want to have a week of fun with other kids in the community and have the opportunity to participate in handfuls of other activities.
