Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  In the past week, a group of teens from the Front Range area showed up from their various homes, to lead the Vacation Bible Study Camp in Nederland. The camp took place at Nederland’s St. Rita’s Catholic Church, where similar events took place around the turn of the century.

Over the summer, the teens had up to 18 children to work with, kids who were eager to explore the depths of the Bible as well as develop a relationship with the families of the Nederland area. On Friday, the camp performed, through song and dance, some of the biblical stories they had absorbed during the week. The Highlands Presbyterian Camp has been proven to be an excellent way to network the beliefs of the kids, to share their experiences and take part in local activities.

The camp web site explains, “Highlands Partnership Day Camps are formed between Highlands and congregations in Plains and Peaks and Denver Presbyteries. Working together with volunteers from each congregation, Highlands summer staff produce a vacation Bible school style program with a Highlands flair.”

Ten-year -old Sierra Tomlinson has enjoyed her week with the mission group and with her Nederland area friends.

“In VBS this week, we learned how God is changing everything—our hearts, our identity, our purpose, our community and our perspective. We started out with some energizers, a silly dance, also called ‘holy motion.’ It is fun to do the energizers like 500 Miles, All-Star, and Pharaoh Pharaoh. We made heart pillows, leather bracelets, sand art and paracord bracelets.”

Then the kids had Bible study where they sometimes got to act out the Bible. Part of each day’s routine was going outside to play games. “Our teachers are super fun. They do more fun stuff than any other year. We all really love VBS.”

NCPC pastor Hansen Wendlandt said, “Those VBS teachers, by the way, served each afternoon in some mission around town. For two days they helped elderly folks with yardwork and house work; and for two days they repainted our nursery room.