Calais Children Experience “Out of this World” Vacation Bible School

CALAIS---For three consecutive days in late June, nearly 40 children from the Calais area gathered for the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish “Stellar” Vacation Bible School at Immaculate Conception Church in Calais. A special experience incorporating music, art, science, drama, and more as the children grew closer to Jesus.

The campers split into mixed age groups and moved through various stations during the school, including Galactic All-Star Games, Bible Adventures, Galactic Snacks, Imagination Station, and more. Some of the older kids served as youth leaders.

“The children seem to have a lot of fun interacting with everyone and it’s really fun to see them laugh and play along with everything,” said Madison, a youth leader.

“My favorite part is seeing the smiles on each of the kids’ faces,” said Avva, another youth leader.

Though the activities took on an outer space theme, learning more about the faith is the central driver.

“The children have been doing trips through the life of Jesus starting with his birth and ending with the Resurrection,” said Christine Rowen, a leader at the Bible Adventures station. “Then they learn how people carry on his message.”

“The message comes in but in such a fun way,” said Sheila Foley, an adult volunteer. “At the end, there is a lot of excitement in the room.” 

At the end of each day, all participants gather for a “Cosmic Closing.”

“With the older kids acting as leaders, everything is well-balanced, and everyone helps each other so well. It’s amazing,” said Ruby Hoyt, one of the adult volunteers.

Similar Vacation Bible School experiences have been offered this summer in Winslow, Augusta, Lincoln, Westbrook, Scarborough, Benedicta, Fort Kent, and Brewer, with events in Gray, Rumford, Sanford, and Dover-Foxcroft still to come. For more information, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/vacation-bible-schools.