A Big Jungle Adventure at St. Margaret’s

When elementary school teacher Beth Kopack heard that the annual Vacation Bible School at was in jeopardy, she knew what she had to do. She contacted Associate Rector Stewart Lucas and volunteered to coordinate the program.

“I know the kids really look forward to it,” Kopack said one morning this week as she traveled from station to station to make sure all of the VBS teachers had what they needed for the day. “I didn’t want them to be disappointed.” 

Thanks to Kopack, they won’t be. Over 100 elementary school age children (with only 25% coming from the church) enjoyed lessons, crafts, music, and other activities this week in their “Big Jungle Adventure,” the name of the Bible school program Kopack and Lucas chose.

“We liked that it had an animal theme,” said Stewart. “We want the kids to appreciate their relationship in the world with nature and with Jesus.” 

Participants had some special guest visitors, including Bob Baltz who works for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. To the delight of the young program participants, Baltz brought along some special guests who had been rescued including owls, a snake, and turtles.

Also making a visit was Debi Frock, the founder and visionary for Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope.

“Our outreach goal for this week of Vacation Bible School is to raise $600 for the village of Akramaman, Ghana, West Africa,” explained Lucas. “This donation will purchase 200 doses of parasitic medicine and coloring books to take to Ghana in July. St. Margaret’s as a church and through its parishioners has been a very generous donor, supporting the work of this effort.”

Kopack is excited about the successes of the week and thankful to all of her volunteers, many professional educators, who made the program run so smoothly.

“The biggest problem has been not having enough glue sticks,” said Kopack with a laugh. “I will take that anytime.”