About Vacation Bible Schools
- In 1894, Sunday School Teacher Mrs. D.T. Miles began what became known as Vacation Bible Schools. She had felt that Sunday School did not provide the necessary time to expand on what they needed to know about Biblical teachings. D.T. Miles then started a daily summer Bible school, using a local school for classes and a nearby park for recess.
In 1898, Eliza Hawes, a children's director at Epiphany Baptist Church in New York City, started an "Everyday Bible School" for disadvantaged children, renting a local beer pub for her classes.
In 1922, Dr. Robert Boville founded the World Association of Daily Vacation Bible Schools. He had learned about Hawes' work and used it as a model for establishing his own summer schools, employing the aid of students from Union Theological Seminary. In 1923, Standard Publishing produced the first VBS curriculum. - Vacation Bible Schools typically meet for one week during the summer, though schedules can vary. Meeting in the summer allows children to reinforce the lessons they learned during the year in Sunday School.
VBS typically includes scripture study, applications of Bible stories, singing praise songs, prayer, fellowship and engaging in arts and crafts. Elementary school children may also have skits and puppet shows. Older children and teens may spend more time in intensive discussions about the faith and study of scripture. - Vacation Bible Schools have become a cornerstone in children's missionaries, particularly in evangelical churches. VBS programs also have the advantage of being economical. Many churches are able to provide them at little or no cost. Through Bible study, song and prayer.
Vacation Bible Schools offer children a chance to deepen their understanding of the Faith, engage in fellowship with like-minded children and receive nurturing and spiritual guidance. It also offers children, particularly those from disadvantaged neighborhoods, a chance to stay off the streets and to engage in wholesome activities. - Although Standard Publishing offers VBS curriculum, there are no set rules on how to conduct a Vacation Bible School. Many VBS programs will have themes such as game show (from Standard Publishing), western, safari or jungle themes.
Others may focus on a specific aspect of scripture such as the King James Bible, Spanish language scripture or specific Biblical themes. VBS programs will typically group children according to age groups.
Younger children like to play and will benefit from developing new friendships while older children may want to dig deeper into questions about the faith. VBS programs also differ between Christian denominations, as the curriculum between Evangelical, Lutheran and Catholic churches may be very different. - Vacation Bible Schools continue to be as relevant today as they were in 1893. Although they started as small summer programs in New York City, they have become popular worldwide. Missionaries have written about the joys of reaching out to children.
A missionary from Indonesia wrote about Jesus offering light in a dark world. VBS workers from Australia and the Philippines have talked about reaching out and nurturing thousands of children and young adults.
Another mission worker testified to Navajo children accepting Jesus into their hearts. Wherever the location and whatever the curriculum, Vacation Bible Schools have transcended geography and culture, bringing children closer to each other and to God.
