Modern programs have not changed too much from those first bible camps for children, and Oakland’s follows in the tradition of bringing all the churches together to help make it happen. Hosted by Messiah Lutheran Church on Ramapo Valley Road, all 5 christian churches participated in planning and running the camp. The daily program consists of five periods during the three hour and 15 minute day and they include snack/story time, arts and crafts, recreational games, music/drama and science. The different activities are used to exemplify an element of faith, such as how the geyser Old Faithful is much like God, faithful, we can rely on Him. In science class the children simulated a geyser, and even though the science part failed, the lessons in faith were learned. Karleigh and Jayne Kazmierczak, when asked about their favorite part exclaimed, “the experiment in science, even though it was a dud!”
Vacation Bible School can be traced back to Hopedale, Illinois. In 1894. Sunday school teacher D. T. Miles felt she was limited by time constraints in teaching the Bible to children. She started a daily Bible school to teach children during the summer. The idea caught on with other communities, and by 1905 New York City churches of seven different denominations had united to provide bible camp for children living in the tenements. Over one thousand children attended the camps everyday for a period of seven weeks at a cost of $3,600. The children were taught elements of faith and practical skills like first aid; of course, there was a lot of arts and crafts that would be proudly displayed during the closing ceremonies. Vacation bible schools spread throughout the region, and in the summer of 1937 campers from Northern New Jersey joined others from Weschester, Long Island, and New York City for a parade down Fifth Avenue which ended with a concert sung by 150 children.
This Camp would not have been possible without all the many volunteers. Susan Boyce worked for months to make this year’s VBS a huge success. Among the volunteers were 25 Junior aids, as well as, many parents who helped in every way from teaching, directing the play, serving snacks, to making the delicious pasta and meatball dinner served at the family dinner and show put on by the campers. Interim Pastor Niederheiser of Messiah Lutheran Church and Rev. Nathan S. Busker, D.Min of Ponds Reformed Church were instrumental in the guidance of these young souls. The five churches who participated in the VBS were Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Albans Episcopal Church,Ramapo Valley Baptist Church, Messiah Lutheran Church and Ponds Reformed Church.
Story submitted by Robin Kazmierczak.