Memory verses and prizes!

I honestly can't recall how long I've been directing the memory verse program and prizes for CEF Camp, but it's been a while. We've done prize categories for the amount of verses the kids learn each week for years. And I've also designed a goal/competition each year that is in relation to the Bible lesson that year.

In 2007, for Nehemiah, it was building a brick wall. For every verse memorized, the kids got to write their name on a brick and tape it to the "wall" to build it. I cut lots of wallpaper bricks that year. I even recall roping people during the day, such as Dustin to help me cut out "bricks".

For Ruth, it was a journey of footprints. I've had this idea for years for something to travel around the dinning room. This year, it's got footprints ALL the way from Moab to Bethlehem! I've still got the footprint die cut if I ever need them again!

For Esther, the goal was to rescue the Jews from Haman's decree of death. All 3,000 people. This year I spend hours at the Learning Center die cutting little 4" paper dolls. 3,000 of them. Yep, I've still got quite a stash too!

For Beginnings, which covers Genesis, we built a rainbow...clear across the dinning room/chapel. This has to be one of my favorites AND the most memorable!

For Joseph (one of my favorite Bible characters to teach!), we had a colorful coat to finish. Joseph was kinda a tall and skinny guy! ;) I have fond memories of projecting "Joseph" on the wall in the chapel and drawing him with Ruth and Jenna. :)

And this year? It's a totally different idea!

First, there still is a goal. Since we're teaching on Daniel, I made six posters. Each of them feature a different event in Joseph's life. Then there are little people (remember the 3,000 die cut people??), and as the kids say verses each day, the move from one poster to another in Daniel's life.

Second, there are still prizes...just a slightly different approach! With every verse they said, they got to guess how many pieces were in the jar of starbursts, m&ms, puzzle pieces and bouncing balls. The one who got the closest, got to keep the prize!

Amazing Wonders VBS

Vacation Bible School. I love it. I love participating in it. I love working with the kids that come to learn and have fun.

This year was no different. Our theme was Amazing Wonders of the world and God's power. Each day we taught how God had power over nature, death and sin. I was the leader/teacher for 3rd-4th grade and we had 21-16 kids each day! What a group!

I spent hours (yes, probably way too many hours) preparing lesson materials each day, searching for the passport nametags, and making decorations for our classroom. And then I spent hours putting it all up and tearing it all down (with the help of others!). And the days following VBS, I was exhausted. But it was worth every moment.

Welcome to Victoria Falls! I created a jungle with blue skies/green paper walls and ivy vines hanging from the ceiling. A waterfall with a rainbow over it stood in the corner, covered with little lizards and frogs. Even a a panther stalked on top of the waterfall!

Blue tablecloths covered the floor to represent water. Brown paper created little islands all around with one large island to sit on in the center. Then there were stepping stones from the door to the large island so no one sunk in the water! ;)

The yellow? Rafts. We even went for a river raft ride on Monday!

And one of my favorites--the monkey wall! I have a bulletin board set of monkeys and vines which I've been itching to use and guess what? I finally did just that! There's trees with bananas and monkeys swinging from tree to tree. There's even a monkey swinging from vine to vine, hanging from the ceiling! How fun is that?!?!

Acting out the lesson of when Peter took the soldiers sword and cut off his ear which Jesus healed.

What a fun, wonderful, exciting week it was!