“What would VBS look like for participants in their 80s, 90s, and 100s?”
That’s a question Baptist Home leaders in Ozark had to answer before offering Vacation Bible School to their residents earlier this summer. They decided it didn’t have to look much different than it does for children, since many residents already had fond memories of VBS.
Residents said the idea made them “feel like kids again.”
Pam Workman-Chainey, administrator for the Ozark campus of Baptist Homes said, “The residents are still talking about the event and how much they enjoyed the week. They seemed to love the theme, music, crafts and especially old songs from VBS when they were younger.”
The event enrolled 72 people and had an average attendance of 47 each day for the week. Perfect attendance awards were given to 36 participants.
The two oldest VBS attendees were Fawn Barnhart, 103, and Mary Hagler,100.
Campus pastor Ron Adrian said the event was a “spiritually enhancing experience,” adding: “I believe the residents benefited greatly by the teaching of God’s Word, singing the old VBS songs and choruses, and enjoying the fellowship of the many others attending.”
This was the first VBS on the Ozark campus. Workman-Chainey said she hopes to do it again.