Before there was VBS, Methodists in America participated in camp meetings. At the beginning of the 19th century, Methodist preachers in England and America were increasingly engaging in field preaching as a means of meeting people where they were. On the American frontier, these gatherings turned into camp meetings, often run by Methodists.
A typical camp meeting lasted 8 to 10 days, sometimes longer. Families would pitch a tent on the grounds and attend preaching, Bible studies, and class meetings throughout the day and sometimes long into the night.
It is from these meetings that vacation Bible school was born. By the early 1900s, the camp meeting model was expanded, and summer camps were offered to children and youth of all different congregations.
This year at First Methodist, we are going to reclaim some of our Wesleyan/Methodist heritage by offering Vacation Bible Camp. Each camp will connect with the Olympics under the theme “Going for the Gold.”
Deals
For the past 40 years, Quillian Center has been able to put a smile on many children. Through this scholarship program, Quillian Center is able to grant financial assistance to families in need in order to send their children to summer camp.
