Children's Ministries VBS/Youth
Outfitters Unlimited

Reformatted VBS/Youth Outfitters Unlimited Enters Fifth Year

During the week of June 5-9 2006, Markham Woods Church will become a hive of activity as children converge for Vacation Bible School. But for the fifth year running it will be a VBS with a difference. This year you can register for Vacation Bible School online. Just click here to pre-register. If you do it'll speed up your final registration on Monday morning.

"Over the years, the response to our VBS program has been so good that our facility and other resources were stretched to the limit," says Children's Ministries coordinator Delby West. "So in 2000 we ran VBS only for children who were between the age of four and having just completed fifth grade."

For the older elementary and middle-school children the church began a separate program, called Youth Outfitters Unlimited.

"It's nearly impossible to run an assembly program that's of equal interest to a four-year-old and a 13-year-old," says youth pastor Rey Descalso. "So we quit even trying.

"We think having the ages broken down this way has been a real plus. The older ones definitely appreciated being on their own, and we've seen a growing number of participants in the YOU program."

In 2006, YOU will be held the week of July  17-21. The program will run each day from 8:00 am to noon, and most of the activities will focus on water. Plans at this point include tubing, swimming and canoeing.

There is no charge for either VBS or YOU. However, it is recommended that reservations be phoned through to the church, as space is limited-particularly for YOU (407-862-7578).

Typically, about 60 percent of the children who attend VBS and YOU are from Markham Woods Church, and the balance are from the community, with some from other Adventist churches in the area.

"Our best advertising is word of mouth," says senior pastor Jim Coffin. "So start dropping the hint to your neighbors that their children might want to attend."

VBS and YOU offer a wide array of options for adults and older teenagers to volunteer. Needs include: refreshments, recreation, crafts, Bible lesson, registration, general crowd control and much more. Anyone interested in helping should contact the church office (407-862-7578)