One of my favorite childhood memories is a visit to my grandmother’s house. Since we lived in Kansas City at the time, I treasured the weeks I got to spend at Grandma’s every summer away from the city. Vacation Bible school was one of those memories. There were Bible studies, playtime, snacks and crafts. We opened sessions with those fun children’s classics: “I’m in The Lord’s Army,” “Deep and Wide” and “Father Abraham” among others. We recited the pledges to the United States flag, the Christian flag and the Bible. Snacks were always cookies and Kool-Aid.

I’ve been a VBS helper, teacher and even director in past years, and while the reason for VBS and the main resource for VBS — the Bible — have not changed, the method of doing VBS is quite different from what I remember as a child.

This summer, my husband and I attended three VBS family nights at three different churches in the area; they all used the theme Outrigger Island. With a Hawaiian flavor, the music and decorations were fabulous. One had a mountain range, a waterfall and pool, and a volcano on the stage as the backdrop for the daily opening and closing sessions. At another, a luau was the centerpiece of family night with pit-cooked pork and turkey as the entrees. At a third, a Christian magician in a Hawaiian shirt entertained everyone.

Snacks, music, Bible studies, mission studies, recreation and crafts all related to a tropical island theme. One of the songs was A-a wiki, B-a wiki, C-a wiki, sang to a CD with ukulele music. One snack served for refreshments was octopus. No! Not real octopus — it was hot dogs with the hot dog sliced into four or eight strips about halfway up the length. When the hot dogs are baked, the “legs” curl into tentacles. They looked really cool, and the kids loved them.

Other themes from recent years include: The Great Kingdom Caper (a British Spy theme), Amazon Outfitters (an adventure in the jungle), Ocean Odyssey (beach/ tropical) and Rickshaw Rally (a Far East theme). There have been other themes showcasing a desert adventure, a space theme and a road trip across the USA.

I’ve heard teachers bemoan the fact that VBS is not just cookies and Kool-Aid anymore, but they sure are glad VBS only lasts a week now, instead of the two weeks I remember from my childhood.

Rooms are decorated, classes are rotated and together — all to help keep today’s children interested and eager amidst the pull for their attention from electronic games, television shows and other activities.

Another change is from daytime VBS to evening VBS. Most mothers (and grandmothers) of the ‘50s and ‘60s didn’t work outside the home. They were the teachers for morning or occasionally all day VBS. No matter what kind of Bible school you remember or attend these days, let’s remember to keep it exciting for the children (and adults) so they will learn the biblical truths that have not changed through the generations.

cpratt@washtimesherald.com