The humid days of August are upon us and several area churches are offering Vacation Bible Schools to provide children safe, alternative ways to spend endless, summer days.

According to the Web encyclopedia, Wikepedia, the origins of 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 first Bible school enrolled forty students and lasted four weeks.

Brooke Hills Free Methodist Church

1340 Washington Pike (State Route 27)

Aug 3 - 7

6 to 8:30 p.m.

Ages 3 to 6th Grade

This year's VBS?theme is "Crocodile Dock." Bible stories, crafts, music and outside play will be offered. VBS?will conclude with a program on Sunday.

For information contact the church at (304)?737-0186.

First United Methodist 3301 West St.

Aug 10 - 14

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Ages 3 to 12

"From Raindrops to Rainbows" is the theme for this year's VBS. Each lesson is connected to a weather theme so students will learn about God' love while discovering amazing facts about God's creation of the weather. Bible stories, dramas, crafts, music and outside play all related to weather will be offered.

For information contact the church at (304)?748-6680.

Follansbee's

Presbyterian and

United Methodist

Main Street &?

Banfield Avenue

August 10 - 14

6 to 8 p.m.

Ages 3 and Up

Two Follansbee churches will team up for a "mystery-themed" VBS.

Clergy and volunteers from the churches will team to present the program, "Good News Clues." Adults and children of all ages are invited to join in searching for new life in Christ through clues in the Bible. Participants will become detectives engaged in games, activities, Bible memory, crafts and snacks all with one purpose to learn about living each day for Jesus.

For information call Valerie Hood at (304) 737-0356 or Christina Ruschel at (304)?527-1572.

Oakland Presbyterian Church

Wylie Ridge Road

August 10 - 14

6 to 8:30 p.m.

Ages 3 and Up

This year's VBS theme is "Children of the Bible."

Gerrie Walker is the VBS?Director.

For information call (304) 748-7129.

The list of available community Vacation Bible Schools will appear in this space every Friday throughout the summer. To submit information, e-mail lwinkler@weirtondailytimes.com.