Young Disciples

The Young Disciples are a traveling group of college students who organize and 'put-on' vacation bible school in our diocese and in parishes of surrounding dioceses. The leaders are trained for their summer vocation and are a source of energy and fun for our kids. Each Young Disciples team consists of four leaders and they are from all over the US. The VBS runs from 9a-3p, includes daily Mass, and is for kids who have graduated from grades K-6th.

My kids have attended a Young Disciple VBS four times in the past five years (we missed last year because it was just too much, too quick, with our move to the farm). Each year is different because the leaders are new and the theme changes.

The difference with this VBS is that I don't need to worry about it being Catholic! It's not a protestant themed VBS made Catholic by inserting Catholic customs and terminology.

I really like that they help the kids memorize prayers and other facts about our faith. My kids know most of the prayers that were assigned for this year, but for the youngest it's a great confidence booster. The memorized prayers are converted into points (points are also rewarded for behavior during VBS/Mass) for each child's team ... Dash's team won the right to choose which leader to shower with a bucket of water during the closing day water 'fight'.

This year's team really focused on manners ... they practiced genuflecting and making the sign of the cross correctly, paying attendtion during Mass, and on Thursday, all children who hadn't been enrolled in the Brown Scapular were enrolled shortly before Mass. During the week, each child keeps a journal. They are encouraged to draw or write about their day and what they've learned; it's a great keepsake from the week.

Today, after the final Mass, everyone was invited over to the parish hall for ice cream and the closing program, which was all the kids singing fun songs they'd learned throughout the week.