Mission Bible Fellowship reimagines Vacation Bible School

SEELEY LAKE - Erika Wilson knew in the back of her mind there was no way Mission Bible Fellowship's Vacation Bible School summer camp would be able to happen this year. Instead, she opted to create a smaller, more personal camp in her own backyard.  

"Kids have a hard enough time keeping their hands to themselves, period," Wilson said. "I felt we have to do something different."

Normally the church holds a vacation bible school in its normal building, which brings about 100 campers and adult-helpers into one group. Wilson's new camp, called the "Backyard Bible Club," is four, four-day sessions of ten kids each. 

After one week of the camp, Wilson was happy she was able to actually create an event for the kids, who may have been stuck at home.

"The kids were just so happy to see each other," Wilson said. "We had individual bubbles for them and a cornhole game in the front for people to [play]. They were just so happy to be together and see their friends."

Since the event was under 50 people, they did not have to social distance, but took other precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The church partnered with Heritage Plumbing and installed a two-person handwashing station to help keep kids' hands free of germs.

Alongside that, campers received their own arts and crafts supplies so they would not have to share. Wilson also put down little dots for the kids to spread out in the backyard during Bible lessons. 

The small groups also let Wilson spend time with the campers when she would usually be rushing around working on the large scale Vacation Bible School. To her, it was a better way to connect with the kids while keeping them engaged.

"The nice thing about doing it this way versus the normal way is that we did not have to rush the kids from one station to the next," Wilson said. "If they wanted to paint, we let them keep painting."

While the first two camps are at capacity or already over, parents can still register their children for the July 13-16 camps for both age groups. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. for ages 5-7 and 1 - 3 p.m. for ages 8-12. Call or text Wilson to register at 406-499-2903.