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Long before "seeker sensitive" became a buzzword for modern churches, somebody was already working on that idea—especially when it came to reaching kids.

In 1923, Standard Publishing, based in Cincinnati, figured out how to not only supplement the good teaching children were getting in Sunday school, but how to introduce God to neighborhood kids who wouldn't normally step into a church. And, they figured, why not do it in the summertime?

And thus the first vacation Bible school (VBS) was born, as Standard created a curriculum of Bible stories to teach children about Jesus and the Christian faith.

We've come a long way in the last 80 years. More recently, VBS publishers have sought to entertain youngsters by creating enjoyable and imaginative games and activities that sometimes overshadowed the gos-pel lesson. But after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, publishers were motivated to create the next round of VBS materials (for 2003) that once again concentrate on the basics.

For example, Kids in Action! Publishing, based in New York, felt an urgent need to teach about God's love. Although the staff had a wonderful time creating a deep sea theme and its creatures, editor Cherie Wood says curriculum planning was motivated by thoughts that "time is short." She wanted to tell as many kids as possible about Jesus because "too many do not even know the God who made them, the One who died for their sins and wants to be with them forever."

After talking with children's pastors across the country, the Group Publishing team sensed a desire in leaders to help kids discover a deeper faith firmly rooted in the basic beliefs about God. "That's why Group focused each Bible lesson on taking kids, even unchurched children, deeper in their knowledge and love of God," says Judy Brolsma, VBS senior editor for Group.

Phil Giggie of Regular Baptist Press says his company saw a need to return to traditional values, so their Oregon Trail theme was chosen "to go back in time when things moved more slowly and people were more concerned about each other."

Similarly, LifeWay Christian Resources focused on teaching children how to make good choices. "Imagine how today's world would be different if Christians truly modeled their lives on the Christlike attributes of compassion and kindness, humility and gentleness, patience and endurance, forgiveness, and love," says Ron Sanders, LifeWay's editor of childhood resources. "If Christians allowed God to make them over in the image of his Son, the world would be a different place."

While this year's VBS offerings keep their biblical emphasis, they also offer a wide range of adventures—everything from traveling to a Brazilian jungle to exploring the mysteries of ancient Egypt to diving for treasure. Because children learn best when they are receptive, today's programs are still laced with games and crafts, dramas, videos, songs with hand motions—and more.

LifeWay's Great Kingdom Caper—Cracking the Character Code takes kids on a detective adventure through the vibrant streets of London and throughout the colorful British Isles. As youngsters work through real-life cases, they uncover the fact that to live with Christian character requires having Jesus as one's Savior and Lord.

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