Local Churches to Offer Vacation Bible School, Summer Camp Beginning Next Week

Churches in the Plum, Oakmont and Verona communities are offering Vacation Bible School and other camps beginning this month.

Vacation Bible School is a specialized form of religion education for young children. The programs offer games, activities, crafts and lessons for children who attend.

Program themes vary, and churches of many denominations in the area will be offering bible school. Other churches are offering summer camps instead.

Here's a list of churches offering summer education programs:

: The church will offer a "Hometown Nazareth" themes bible school from June 13 to June 17. The program will be held at the church, 550 Center New Texas Road, from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration deadline is Monday, June 13.

The church also will offer a four-week summer camp beginning at the end of the month. Activities include an outdoor obstacle course, climbing wall, zip line and  a spiritually-based curriculum. For more information about either program, call the church at 412-793-4525.

/Verona Presbyterian Church in Verona: The churches are offering a joint Vacation Bible School program with a "Finding God in the Everyday" theme from June 20 to 23 for children in preschool through entering sixth grade. On June 20, 21 and 23, the program will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Oakmont church, 415 Pennsylvania Ave.

A shuttle will pick students up from the Verona church, 566 South Ave., at 4 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

On June 22, children in kindergarten through sixth grade will travel to Crestfield Camp in Slippery Rock for a day of fellowship. Lunch will be provided.

For registration or questions, email btaylor@oakmontpresby.org  or call 412-828-5770. There is no cost.

: The church will host a program from June 20 to 24 in the school cafeteria, 444 St. John St.

The program will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, with a family finale on June 24 at 7 p.m. The cost is $25 for one child, $40 for two children and $50 for three or more children. The price includes a Vacation Bible School T-shirt for each child to wear during the week and keep.

For more information, call the religious education office at 412-795-6376. the last day to register is today, Friday. If a registration is made later, a VBS T-shirt is not guaranteed.

: The church will hold a "SonSurf Beach Bash" themed Vacation Bible School from June 20 to 24. The program will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the church, 387 Maryland Ave. There also will be  a family night on June 24 at 7 p.m.

The cost is $12 per child with a maximum cost of $36 per family and includes a music CD, a shirt decal and a raffle ticket for the chance to win a bicycle. For more information or to register, call 412-828-9450 or email stirenaeusccd@yahoo.com.

: The church will have Vacation Bible School June 27 to July 1 for children gars 3 to 10. The program will be held at the church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon. The theme is "Inside Out, Upside Down on Main Street, Where Jesus Makes a Difference Every Day." The focus will be on the Parables of Jesus.

For more information or to register, call the church office at 412-828-9323. There is no cost associated with the program, but the church will ask for offerings to purchase mosquito nets for families in other countries.

: The church, 81 Sandune Drive, is offering a "Hometown Nazareth" themed bible school from July 25 to 29. The program will be held at the church from 9 a.m. to noon. Children who are three years old as of June 1 the sixth-graders can attend.

There is no cost, but donations are accepted. Registration forms are available at the church or by calling 724-327-6552.

: The church, 200 Elicker Road, will offer bible school from Aug. 1 to 5. The program will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. for children in preschool through sixth grade. The theme is "Rev it Up: Full Throttle for God!" and there is no cost. For more information, call 412-795-3310.

: The church, 419 Maryland Ave., will offer a program from Aug. 1 to 5. It will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The theme is "Inside Out and Upside Down on Main Street.

For more information or to register, call 412-828-9499. There is no cost for the program.

: The church, 401 Allegheny Ave., is offering a day camp called “Fun and Freedom Sports Camp”.  It runs from Aug. 8 to 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for any child who has just completed first through sixth grades. 

The program will be held in Springdale. The cost is $80 per camper and $60 per camper for families who have more than one attending. Activities include basketball, Bible study, community service projects, crafts, cricket, floor hockey, lacrosse, nature activities, swimming, tennis, track and field, ultimate Frisbee and volleyball. 

The Mission of “Fun and Freedom” is to “Use sports to positively impact youth: physically, socially, morally and spiritually and to ultimately increase self-esteem.”  The church is accepting registrations this month. Forms are available at the church or at www.funandfreedom.org. For more information, call 412-828-2488.

Verona United Methodist Church in Verona: The church, 798 Herron Ave., is offering a bible school program from Aug. 15 to Aug. 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The program is a joint ministry with Rosedale United Methodist Church in Penn Hills.

The theme is "Shake it Up Cafe: Where Kids Carry Out God's Recipe." There is no cost for the program. For more information or to register, call 412-828-8844.