Moving with the crowd at VBS at Brucklacher Park in Phillip, South Dakota. Photos courtesy of Rev. Kathy Chesney.

When school is out for the year in Phillip, South Dakota, children in the community head to Vacation Bible School at Brucklacher Park, located a mile west of the church, in a remodeled barn. 

The community, located in the western part of the state, is home to 152 children and youth, ages birth to 18. Recently, 99 youth, including the junior and high school volunteers, participated in Vacation Bible School.

“Everybody comes,” says Rev. Chesney. “We have most of the kids in the Phillip community who attend, several from Interior, 12 came from Kadoka, and some grandchildren from North Dakota,” said Rev. Kathy Chesney, who serves at the United Parish in Phillip United, First Presbyterian in Interior, and Concordia Lutheran in Kadoka. 

The powerful VBS experience, where many young people dedicate their lives to Christ, has become a tradition that started 25 years ago under the leadership of Rev. Al Bucklacher.

Al’s granddaughter, Skye Holsetter, continues the legacy. “In December, Skye called me and volunteered to take a leadership role in the program. She did an amazing job,” said Pastor Kathy.

The curriculum and theme were Scuba. Kids explored God through the lens of ocean life. The participants rotated through  stations: a Bible lesson, skit or interactive story, Science station, crafts, games, and snack. 

The participants gather at the church in Phillip each morning and hop on a bus that Pastor Kathy, a licensed school bus driver, drives daily. The bus is full of 4-year-old through sixth-grade students.

Practicing a song and a few dance moves at VBS.

VBS lasts three days and culminates in a program on the last day. Community members attend the program, which is followed by a potluck meal. After the meal, people gather around a campfire to make smores. 

Costs associated with the VBS include snacks, craft supplies, decorations, and purchasing curriculum. The school in Phillip donates the use of the bus. Funds are available to support the ministry through memorial funds, an offering collected during the program on the last day, and fees. Attending costs $10 per child or $20 for a family.

Pastor Kathy explains, “No one is turned away. We find money to pay for everyone that wants to come.”

The students take an offering each year. This year, the offering went to prayer quilts. “At the church in Phillip, we have a group that makes prayer quilts for people dealing with cancer,” shares Pastor Kathy. “So, our mission offering went to a local mission this year.”

Young adults who once attended VBS in the barn now lead and assist with the experience. There is a passion for raising the children in the community to know God. Music was led by a high school senior

“She did an excellent job with the music. Music is important to making the experience great,” said Pastor Kathy. “I am grateful to the 25 adults that volunteer and the 26 junior and senior high youth that assist. I only drive the bus from the church to the park and back.”