Each year, parishes across the diocese host an opportunity for children to grow in their faith while school is out of session.
Vacation Bible School is a summer outreach program that provides both educational and interactive opportunities for children to learn about Scripture and faith. Below is a brief recap of some of the many VBS camps in the diocese.
Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria
St. Mary held VBS each Wednesday in July with the theme, “Come to the Table — When You Eat with Jesus, Anything Can Happen!” to coincide with the National Eucharistic Congress and the Eucharistic Revival. The “Come to the Table” camp explored the ways Jesus shares meals, provides food and shows forgiveness throughout Scripture. A primary goal was to illustrate that, in the Eucharist, everyone is welcome at God’s table.
Youth Apostles Father Peter Clem, parochial vicar, opened with prayer and students participated in song and dance. High school student volunteers assisted with camp activities, and had opportunities for spiritual growth through faith formation, discussion, and adoration in the afternoon.
Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington
St. Thomas More held VBS June 17-21 with the theme of “Scuba: Diving Into Friendship with God.” Students studied Scripture progressing from the Old to New Testament, highlighting God as a friend who’s real, a friend who loves, a friend we can trust, a friend forever and a friend for everyone. Surrounded by ocean-themed decorations, students engaged in skits, interactive storytelling, Scripture study, science experiments and sports games assisted by middle and high school volunteers. At the end of the week, students attended Mass together and sang a Communion meditation.
Good Shepherd in Alexandria
More than 150 Good Shepherd VBS participants explored “Hometown Nazareth, Where Jesus Was a Kid,” June 17-21. During the week, 80 teens served as leaders to share their faith in a fun and inviting way. Each morning, campers started the day with songs and prayer before rotating between a trip to Mary’s house where stories of Jesus’ life were shared, outdoor fun and marketplace shops. At the marketplace, kids made stepping stones for the parish Marian Garden and crafts for the homebound, sampled foods from ancient Nazareth. Each participant received a Miraculous Medal to remember their week.
Nativity Catholic Church in Burke
Nativity led students in grades K-4 in Vacation Bible Camp June 18-21. This year, the theme was the story of Joseph (Gen. 37–50). Throughout the week, students journeyed with Joseph in engaging activities including art projects, music lessons, outdoor fun and a theater skit based on Joseph’s story. Children performed songs they learned during the week for their families at a closing cookout.
St. James Church in Falls Church
More than 85 children attended VBS at St. James July 15-19. The fun, faith-filled week was themed, “Diving into Friendship with God.” Teen coaches led campers every morning talking about God and friendship, teaching them new songs and the Bible takeaway of the day.
Students rotated through crafts, Bible adventures, games, and ways to explore their faith. Each day, the kids looked for “God-sightings” — evidence of God’s love in our daily lives. At the end of the week, each student wrote their God sighting on a fish and taped it on the “ocean” wall.
VBS concluded with Mass and students performed songs they learned in front of their families.
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Fredericksburg
St. Mary’s VBS July 15-19 was themed “Wilderness Adventure: A journey through the sacraments.”. Each day, students rotated through five stations: crafts, outdoor games, music, faith and snacks. At the different rotations, campers learned something new about the sacraments along with a lesson teaching students about the beauty of the faith.
St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville
More than 225 campers, and 150 volunteers participated in the St. Francis’ VBS July 15-19, a trip through first century Rome with St. Paul. This year’s mission supported the parish’s Mother Theresa Garden which will supply fresh food to the local Tree of Life food pantry.
Throughout the week, campers learned about various garden topics such as weeds, good soil, mulching, and planting seeds, all tied to Scripture and being a Catholic witness for others. In addition to gardening, students acted out Paul’s early persecution of Christians, his conversion and his death.
With the support of high school leaders, each camper made and took home a holy water font, a word illusion frame, a Eucharist magnet, a radiant cross, and note cards. Each camper and volunteer also received a t-shirt provided by the Knights of Columbus. Every day, campers also learned about grace, mercy, and the saints. They participated in adoration and attended Mass. The week’s theme was how God’s love is a gift worth sharing with others.
