Siena hosts vacation Bible schools

For two weeks in August, young people from 3 to 18 attended Siena College in Loudonville.

They weren't learning about chemistry and literature, though. Instead, they studied Scripture and Christian values through song, dance and play.

Last year, in an effort to provide a biblically-based program of fun and education, and to celebrate what Christians of different denominations have in common, the teacher education program at Siena opened up the campus for a vacation Bible school.

Enrichment

The effort was the offshoot from the idea of two professors at Siena. About ten years ago, Robert Colesante and Donald Biggs designed an academic program for inner-city youth.

"We wanted to offer an enrichment program for students who demonstrated gifted behaviors or showed potential for such," Dr. Colesante told The Evangelist. That program, "Discovering Gifted Youth in Inner-City Schools," was so successful that it led to the idea of the summer program.

"What we hoped for was a greater tolerance by offering them exposure to children with [beliefs] other than their own," he explained. "It makes sense to celebrate what we have in common."

Two sessions

This summer, two church groups participated:

* During the week of August 15-19, the Macedonia Baptist Church was on campus for "Meeting the Needs of God's People." Dr. Colesante said that "the focus of their program was on Bible classes that include the use of computers, music and art. They also learned about stewardship."

* From August 22-26, the Union Missionary Church from Albany took part in "Go Global with Jesus," based Jesus' words, "Go into all the world and preach the good news." The program included Bible lessons, music, dancing and drama, and arts and crafts, with focus on life in Africa.

'Marvelous'

Anne Pope, director of Union Missionary's vacation Bible school program, said of last year's stay at Siena, "Our children had a marvelous time. They loved being on a college campus. They loved the food that was cooked just for them by the college cafeteria staff. We all had a very positive experience."

"They all have such a good time because the people at Siena are very welcoming; they enjoy having us there. They really go all out for us, and the children do notice that.

"One child, a four-year-old girl, informed her grandmother that she wasn't going to her regular school anymore. 'I will be going to Siena from now on,' she told her grandmother."

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