Posted by
LaDutton on Sunday, May 18, 2008 11:59:11 AM
My husband and I, just yesterday, were discussing how so many things that we thoroughly enjoyed as children, are now being ruined because of adults. The subject for this particular discussion was Vacation Bible School (VBS). For all you Protestant-raised folks out there who grew up in the 60's and 70's, surely you know what I mean. Those of other faiths, or no faith, bear with me. It was a cool experience!
VBS was a week-long event in the middle of the summer. I believe the purpose was to reach out to the "unchurched" children in the community by bringing them in with the church kids for a week to share the love of Christ. This is usually how it went: We assembled in front of the church in the morning, we marched into the sanctuary to some kind of music, we pledged the American and the Christian flag, we sang songs, had a brief devotional, then we divided up into our classes, where we learned Bible stories, made crafts, learned more songs, then went for refreshments (which usually consisted of one sugar cookie and a cup of Kool-Aid, which was perfectly fine with us) and recess. Then we went home. A good time had by all. The whole thing lasted from 9 am - Noon. No mega-planning involved on the part of our teachers and workers, beyond what the daily Bible lesson and craft project would be. And, of course, at the end of the week, the parents were invited to come see what we made, get briefed on what all we learned, and listen to the songs we sang. I have zero bad memories of Bible School - they're all good.
I do not recognize VBS anymore. Planning begins in January/February. The "theme" is first and foremost. VBS is packaged and sold by "theme" from the big Christian book suppliers. No imagination required. Everything is laid out for you, including lesson plans, decorating (all of which can be purchased), snacks, etc. The entire church facility is held hostage the week prior to, and the week of, VBS. No other activities can be held in the church facility. Every square inch has been overly-decorated and is reserved for VBS activities. No one wants to be the VBS Director, and for good reason. It's become one of the most stressful and politically charged positions in the volunteer pool. If it's a good Bible School, we had a great director; if the Bible School lacked in any area, we had a bad director. How VBS is measured to be successful, I'm still not sure. There is one person in charge of music, one in charge of crafts, one responsible for food; and they all have a staff of "helpers." EVERYTHING is separate. Okay, we've all done our prayer (which, by the way, the Pastor of the church always gets roped into doing, as if he/she is the only person who can pray publically, which is a bad lesson in and of itself), now we're all going to go to this other area for music. Now we're all going to go to this other area for our Bible Study. Now we're all going to go to this other area for crafts. It's exhausting for the children; and it's retarded. There is no one-on-one with beloved teachers; zero spiritual intimacy, and, I would tend to say, zero learning, although I have no evidence of that. Recreation is structured, which is a whole blog unto itself. The kids have not one opportunity to use their imaginations, even during recreation. There are often very expensive inflatables and other carnival type machines or contraptions that are rented for the week. The parents are not invited at the end of the week, because the parents are already required to be there the entire week to help with crowd control, elaborate snack times (which resemble seven-course gourmet meals more every year), crafts, music and recreation. Whoever doesn't have time to help with Bible School is a bad church parent. The only parents who are exempt are the ones who don't go to church. By the end of VBS, everyone, including the child, is exhausted, ill, and vowing under their breaths, "never again." I can say this with a certain amount of authority. I am a full time church secretary, and I see it all first-hand. And every year, it gets worse.
Now...I have said all that to say this. I just read this morning of a 7-year-old Little Leaguer who was benched for two games because his mom couldn't make her appointed concession stand duty. What? What? Are they serious? Has the whole world gone crazy? Is Little League about concessions? Is it about the parents? Apparently so. I understand from the news story that all team parents were asked to sign a contract committing themselves of x amount of volunteer duties. Big deal. She had to work. People have to work these days. Life is expensive - especially with children. Could she not pay a fee toward uniforms or something if she missed her turn to sell concessions? Good grief! Does her 7-year-old child have to pay because she had to work? What is going on here? What is wrong with this picture? Isn't the whole reason parents are held to such strict commitments, so that the children can have the optimum experience from the activity? Or is there another reason? Are we all in a competition to be super parents? Are we afraid our children will become juvenile delinquents or serial killers if we miss one activity in which they're involved? Have we not learned by now that overly stressed parents equal overly stressed children?
Let's give the kids some credit. Children are bright, resourceful and painfully aware beings. They may not always understand what's going on, but they can certainly see what's happening right on front of them. What kind of lessons are we teaching them? What kind of example do we set when we make ourselves absolutely miserable for their benefit? We need some sanity, for our children's sake. Isn't it "for the children," after all?