Church hosts vacation music camp

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jun 10, 2004 by Allie Atwood Capital-Journal

By Allie Atwood

SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Instead of having a traditional Vacation Bible School program this summer, Fellowship Bible Church, S.W. 17th and Indian Hills Road, will have a Vacation Music Camp.

"Vacation Music/Drama/Art Camp is a substitute for Vacation Bible School," said Rene Armbruster, Fellowship Bible Church education director. "Instead of a standard VBS curriculum, Fellowship Bible Church has chosen to teach Godly principals and values through music, drama and art."

The camp will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. June 21 through 25 at the church. On June 26, there will be a dress rehearsal from 9 to 10 am. The musical will be performed on June 27 during the 11 a.m. church service.

This is the second year for the church to perform a musical. Last year, the program was met with a good response, and it was decided that another musical would be performed this year.

This year's program is "Down By the Creek Bank," written by Dottie Rambo and David Huntsinger.

Armbruster said the story is about "children out on an outing who find a place to have their picnic and camp out down by the creek bank. As the title suggests, the children learn about God's creation and how much He loved us by providing things for us, loving us and adopting us as his heirs. Last of all we hope the children who participate will learn how to work and love each other."

"Down By The Creek Bank" was chosen because it was re-released this year for its 25th anniversary and also because it was one of Armbruster's favorite musicals.

"Down By The Creek Bank was the first Christian's musical I heard after I became a Christian," she said. "It had such catchy tunes, and I remembered how much fun the children 25 years ago had had performing it."

Last year, 30 students ages 5 to 15 signed up to participate. Children can still sign up for this year's program. Armbruster said that children don't need to be members to participate. Children who are members are encouraged bring friends with them. The church is looking for volunteers to help children learn their lines and songs and to help make props.

To sign up as a volunteer or to sign a child up for the program, call the church office at 478-0002 or Armbruster at home at 862- 0353.

Allie Atwood is a freelance writer from Topeka.