Hoodland Lutheran Church
proudly sponsors
Vacation Bible Camp 2011
is behind us!
We had
a GREAT week at “the beach” sharing the Word with the kids, learning new songs,
playing very fun games, and digging into beachy crafts! There was one word spoken
that we think sums up the week beautifully --- JOY!
We went through 10 dozen donuts (probably those teens!?!), collected $110 at the ice
cream social, ate almost 10 gallons of ice cream, and ate many MANY cookies! We had
an average attendance of 40 kids, and changed countless lives---that one is hard to put
a number on, but the responses from both the kids and adults was very hearwarming
and inspiring.
Our week was met with many “firsts”…it was the first year we had to play games indoors
(for only one day, thank goodness—since when does it rain during VBC week?) Since
we were short-staffed this year, it was the first time we had all age groups together for
the daily lessons (that’s right, ages 3 to 12 all in one room---yikes!!), first time we had
three 3-year olds (yes, you read right!…and it was quite a challenge, too!). It was the
first time in all the years we’ve been doing this that the program dress rehearsal was
soooooo bad, but the program was sooooo good! (Thank goodness we have such
talented kids to work with!). It was also the first time we actually had an extra “quiet”
room because we combined classes. Another first was the use of store-bought name
tags --- (sounds weird, but all of you past art teachers will understand!)
We had 19 most-excellent teens helping us out this year, many of whom stepped up in a
BIG way! Very VERY special thanks to Pastors Keith and Kimi Richardson for spending
their vacation with us!! They led this great group of kids in devotions and also taught
them a skit each day to perform for the kids….2 of them invited God into their hearts!
Now that’s what the week is all about!
We had an awesome group of volunteers that stayed with us as we were trying to find
our way through the week. Thank you so much!-----
Our teaching team did a superb job! Thanks to Leah Gregoire (PreK/K), Martha Mandel
(1/2), Debi Reischman and Carol Jones (3/4), and JoAnn Peterson and Pastor Berry
(5/6). We much appreciated the support of assistants Katie Wolff, Tommie Kirkendall,
Myke Jagow, Gail Walker, Crystal Coulter, Jean Sabel, Alice Hewitt and Diane Stanton.
Music was led by Dee Tholen and Mary O’Dea. Dee taught the kids the songs and
motions to the songs, Mary played guitar and Sue Matson played piano for one of the
songs. Crafts were taught by Christina Saldivar, Katie Bradley, and Sarla Stout --- (all
former VBC kids themselves!) Drama for 5/6 was coached by Debi Reischman, our
Funtime Game Guy was Jon Michael Gregoire, our Snack Ladies were Judy Scruggs
(head snack lady) assisted by Muriel Bartz. On the registration desk was Naomi Quick
and Ann Strebig. Our ice cream social sponsors and hosts were Del and Pauline Wright
(thanks for the yummy ice cream you two!). They were assisted by Rose Gates, Renee
Knapp, Jim and Diane Stanton. Steve Hampton and Sue Matson were busy taking
pictures for Randy Reischman to use in preparing a PowerPoint presentation, Patrick
McGraw was our program videographer-extraordinaire, Linda Bell did all of the ironing
for the tee-shirt transfers, and Sue Matson was our ‘gal around camp’ (doing whatever
needed doing!). So much gratitude to Steve and JoAnn Peterson for once again
donating all the tee-shirts for the kids…they looked so great on the kids, and the kids
loved getting a brand new t-shirt to wear, with a logo that will always remind them of their
special week. Special thanks to all those who did behind-the-scenes craft projects for
us: Jeri Gallagher, Christina Olson, Renee Knapp, Rose Gates, Judy Edelman, Naomi
Quick, Del and Pauline Wright and Linda Bell.
Special thanks to Clarence Edelman and His Band of Merry Men who put up our sign
and helped with setting up and then tearing down our “beach bash!”
If we missed thanking someone, we regret the oversight, but please know that we
appreciated EVERY effort by EVERYONE! We couldn’t do this ministry without the
faithful support of our Hoodland Lutheran Church family. You are a truly generous and
thoughtful congregation.