Bible Camps Get Facelift

July 23, 2000

Source: The Times-Picayune

On July 23, 2000, The Times-Picayune published an article about the changing ways in which children are experiencing Bible camps throughout Louisiana. Instead of "sitting uncomfortably on wooden pews reading Bible verses," churches are "retooling their Bible school curricula to capture kids' attention by making faith fun. To do this, many churches are taking cues from child psychologists and professional educators to appeal to young minds." Many of the camps throughout Louisiana have built their programs around "prepackaged kits, designed by psychologists and educators and marketed to churches. The lesson plans intertwine biblical messages into every activity so children eat, drink, sing, feel and craft Bible messages." "We want kids to want to come back," said Joy Vanderklif, Bible school director at Calvary Baptist Church in Slidell. "We want them to come back not because the parents made them but because they want to."

See also: Christianity, Youth