FORT DRUM YOUTHS HAVE AN ADVENTURE EXPLORING THEIR FAITH AT VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Story by Michael Strasser on 08/01/2019

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Aug. 1, 2019) -- Fort Drum children embarked on an adventure of religious exploration during Vacation Bible School, July 29 to Aug. 2, with the program "The Incredible Race: One Family, One Race, One Savior."

Roughly 160 children registered for VBS, with 40 volunteers to guide them on a global scavenger hunt as they completed daily challenges on a different continent every day. Their globe-trotting activities included arts and crafts, outdoor games, Bible lessons and science projects.

In the process, children learned about different cultures, languages and races, and they were encouraged to think about people from every part of the world while exploring the topic of unity.

"We take the kids back to the beginning of the human race, from the time of Adam and Eve, to Noah's Ark and all the events leading to the Tower of Babel," said Marcie Kazarovich, director of religious education.

"The Incredible Race" teaches children biblical answers to a major social issue: race. The Tower of Babel is a story that explains how the human population went from one shared language to many, and then became divided into distinct geographic groups.

"Most importantly, the focus is on the human race and how we are all one family and in need of one Savior," Kazarovich said.

Kazarovich said that there were at least 12 student volunteers this year, and some of them were instrumental in acting out the entertaining skits that started each morning's assembly.

Andrew Fisher, 17, used to attend Vacation Bible School when he was younger, and now he has a chance to give back as a volunteer. He played one of the main characters in the daily dramas that had children laughing and applauding whenever he entered the spotlight.

Fisher said that even though he isn't great at public speaking, he enjoyed getting to participate in the assemblies.

"It does take a lot to practice to memorize the lines, but we all worked together and it's a lot of fun," he said. "I like making kids excited to learn about God, and the skits are a really great way to reach them."

Fisher said that he really got to know some of the younger Fort Drum community members from this experience.

"Some of the kids are really smart, and they'll surprise you with what they know," he said. "So, getting to teach them and guide them is incredible. The games are fun, the lessons are interesting, and they love the crafts."

Dorcas Martinez, 16, was asked to volunteer as a cast member, because she had the right energy and personality to perform for the children.

"This was my first time volunteering for VBS, and I absolutely love it," Martinez said. "I'm definitely going to remember all the fun I had with my friends putting together the skits and, definitely, the kids' reactions to them."

Like many Army families, Martinez has travelled from installation to installation, and she had attended VBS while living in North Carolina.

"Actually, a few days ago I was singing songs that I remembered from the VBS there, and that was a lot of fun," she said.

This week, the VBS program also supported the Children's Hunger Fund by collecting coins that will go toward providing 3,000 meals for hungry children in the U.S. and around the world.

To learn more about religious education, worship schedules and activities on post, visit https://home.army.mil/drum/index.php/my-fort/all-services/chaplains-office.