This is not at all what I'd planned on writing about today. But it's information that I feel could benefit a family. Perhaps your family, or a family you know.
Churches across the US are having their annual Vacation Bible School, either this month, last or next. One week of every summer, most churches sponsor a fun-filled, wholesome and welcoming 5 days of music, Bible stories, snacks, games and crafts. All of the churches that I've been involved with have offered this absolutely free to the entire community.
There's another element that I was reminded of today. I was in our local grocery store, chatting with one of the cashiers that I'm friendly with. She was asking about our church's Vacation Bible School (abbreviated as VBS). I'm one of the snack ladies for our VBS, and just happen to have my ear (or nose, as the case might be) where it needs to be, to know most of the goings on in VBS-land. This woman at the grocery store mentioned that her daughter has Down syndrome and she was unsure if a church would be willing to take her for a week of VBS. I replied that our church is very welcoming towards children of all ability levels, and I felt many, if not most, churches are welcoming, as well.
This is my information to those of you with special needs children or family or friends of someone with a special needs child. Church-sponsored VBS weeks are fantastic opportunities to include a special needs child in a mainstream group activity. Most churches are flexible in ways that schools often are not. A child may participate in one, two, three, four or all five days of the week, as the child is able. There is no commitment whatsoever for the child and their family. If a child can not manage with the group setting for the full 2 1/2 to 3 hours, it can be arranged for this child to be brought later, or picked up earlier. If a child has special dietary requirements, many churches will work with the parents on this. And there is also the opportunity for a parent to volunteer with the age group that their child will be placed, if the special needs child should require a parent nearby.
I bring this up as I don't know if it is widely known just how accommodating a VBS program can be for families. A phone call to one of the churches on your community could give you the information you need.
