SUNBURY — Maggie Kurtz woke up one day with a vision and decided to change the rules.
She succeeded.
Kurtz, 33, of Sunbury, is the director of vacation Bible school for the First Baptist Church, in Sunbury, and she decided it was time to get away from traditional methods and get in the minds of children and help teach them about the past, while having fun in the present.
"I wanted to have the children take a trip into the Egyptian culture," Kurtz said. "When the children arrive, they enter Egypt."
And that vision worked, because last week about 50 children per night visited the First Baptist Church basement, which was transformed into an Egyptian marketplace with several different stores.
The markets varied from a food store, which served fruit and vegetables, to a hair salon, to basket weaving and even a shop in brick making.
"We decided that each day each child would receive three coins and they would be able to go and buy something from each store, but in order to shop at all the stores, they would have to come every night," Kurtz said.
"The children get to experience different things this way."
The school is in session for a week and children spend two hours a night, singing, dancing and learning, not only from the Bible, but from other volunteers, who showed students how to make bracelets and mix materials to create bricks.
Jennie Derr, of Sunbury, went by the Egyptian name "Nafrini" portrayed the owner of the salon.
"This is really fun for the kids," she said.
"The children get to make an Egyptian headband and just seeing them do this is amazing."
Becky Enders, of Sunbury, who portrayed "Hatshepsu," was owner of the basket weaving store.
"The kids are delightful and this is such a wonderful thing going on here," Enders said. "Some kids find it difficult to weave these things but they just keep on trying no matter what."
Gavin Shawder, 4, of Northumberland said he attended all week and had the time of his life.
"I enjoy this so much," he said. "It's a real good time."
Jordan Hunt, 12, of Selinsgrove, agreed with his younger friend, but said he had other reasons for being there, not just the fun.
"I like it here and it is fun," Hunt said. "But to tell you the truth, I really enjoy learning from hearing the Bible stories."
For Kurtz, hearing the sounds of children enjoying themselves and speaking of learning while attending the school, has her riding on a cloud.
"I am thrilled that this is such a success," Kurtz said. "I enjoy this so much and if we helped any children out then that just makes it all the better."
n E-mail comments to fscarcella@dailyitem.com.
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Related Photos
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Hannah Hunt, 10, of Selinsgrove, dances and sings during the start of vacation Bible school at the First Baptist Church of Sunbury. Matthew Harris/The Daily Item
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Austin Pehowic, 9, of Sunbury, listens to his instructor during First Baptist Church of Sunbury's vacation Bible school. Matthew Harris/The Daily Item
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Becky Enders, of Sunbury, helps Liam Newberry, 4, of Sunbury, make a woven basket during First Baptist Church of Sunbury's vacation Bible school. Matthew Harris/The Daily Item
Discussion
Program on Egypt engages young minds
Program on Egypt engages young minds
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