HOUGHTON – Grace United Methodist Church has launched its first-ever at-home Vacation Bible School. Historically, the week-long summer program for children in preschool through 6th grade has been one of the church’s hallmark ministries, drawing in up to 75 kids each summer. With heightened concerns about large gatherings spreading infection, the innovative VBS team has adapted this summer’s SonTreasure Island program for home use.

The program’s director, Lynn Manchester, said, “It has been quite an experience to learn video editing, figure out how to make a website, and create an entire program that can fit in a bag, but the church family pulled together, and we did it! And it sounds like the first several families have enjoyed it.”

While the church has created a web portal with videos to tell the Bible story, demonstrate the crafts and games, and teach the songs, the free kits contain instructions and a music CD, so the program can be completed without internet access. “We want this program to be accessible to all the children of our community, and we are even prepared to deliver kits to families,” said Michelle Miller, the church’s children and youth ministries coordinator. “Our goal is to help 200 kids discover the treasure of God’s love this summer.”

The church will offer the materials and online resources throughout the summer so families can enjoy the program at their convenience. Each kit comes with five sessions of VBS, each with a game, craft, lesson, and snack. “It’s a fun way to keep kids busy and learning and to discuss faith as a family,” said Alexandra Larsen, mother of five children who completed the program. Her family did their sessions in the backyard on sunny days, so they could safely enjoy it with friends. “I think this would be an excellent way for a grandparent or other loved one to spend meaningful time with children and give parents a break,” she added. She mentioned that a session can be completed in an hour, but some days the kids took as long as two hours when they took their time on the craft or game.

Registration and more information about the program is available at the church’s website (HoughtonGraceUMC.org) or by calling the church at 482-2780.