St. Patricks Church hosts Vacation Bible Camp

MILFORD — Monday, June 21 was the start of "Gangway to Galilee — Amazing Grace Adventures," a vacation Bible camp held at St. Patrick's Church in Milford Pa.

Thirty-two pre-k through 5th grade students joined to take part in Bible stories, crafts, games, music and snacks while students 5th grade and up shared their time and talents by volunteering at the camp to help with all the fun.

"The kids really had a good time, and I loved that the older kids volunteered," Adult volunteer Colleen McCarthy said.

The theme of the week long camp was "Jesus gives amazing grace." The children learned through creative activities, music, Bible stories, and games. Voices echoed beyond the parish hall walls with songs like: "Jesus Sets Us Free," "We Are His," and "Amazing Grace."

Hands crafted boats, gem-stone cross necklaces, bookmarks and anchors that read "Jesus is my anchor." Children participated in floating and racing their boats and they wore their crosses. Games like "Stepping Stones" were played where the young ones pretended to cross the Sea of Galilee.

Older student volunteers rehearsed and performed a play, "Stepping Stones, Galilee Crossing."

"It was fun teaching kids and showing them what to do," Volunteer Luke Ruggiero, 6th grade homeschooled student said.

"It was fun working with kids by the games — we played Galilee Crossing and we demonstrated what to do," Volunteer Ron Jason, 5th grade Delaware Valley student said.

"It was fun helping the kids," Volunteer David Loeffler, 6th grade Delaware Valley student said.

St. Patricks parishoner and religious education volunteer Jo-Marie Totten planned and organized the camp.

"I gave this project to Jo-Marie and she ran with it," Patricia Greeves, director of religious education said.

Amazing Grace Adventures was a community effort where young people learned and had fun.