After Cascade Adventist Church near Bend, Oregon, hosted its first-ever Vacation Bible School in summer 2024, the idea for a winter VBS reunion was born.
The church and volunteers wanted to deepen bonds with summer attendees, so they planned to develop a Christmastime outreach event to bring VBS attendees back together.
Sharon Gladden, VBS director, planned a review of the summer program's Bible story themes and songs with craft tables and singing, engaging all ages. Because it was Christmas, a new event was added to make gifts later taken to hospitalized children, with the gift circle game becoming a favorite activity of the day.
Meaningful results of the day were shown in the many “thank you's" shared, and plans are already being made for this summer’s VBS.
Kids enjoy a mix of summer VBS fun and new winter crafts and games.
The gift circle game is a big hit.
Attendees make gifts later taken to children at a local hospital.
Sharon Gladden, VBS director, enjoys planning the program and makes sure each child has a wonderful time.
