Vacation Bible School:

Nurturing a Culturally Sensitive Faith Among Youth

posted July 16, 2014

“People often speak about the importance of youth to the future of the reservation. Of course, this also applies to the future of the Church on Pine Ridge,” says Fr. Peter Klink SJ, who serves as the pastor of two churches: Christ the King in Porcupine and St. Agnes in Manderson. “Our vacation Bible schools are an effort to engage the youth in their faith.”

Throughout June and July, six distinct vacation Bible schools are held in communities across the reservation for area youth. From Oglala to Porcupine to Allen, the programming has covered an area nearly the size of Connecticut since the 1960s.

Along with helping to engage the future leadership of the Church, Fr. Peter noted these camps also serve a wider purpose. “Nurturing a culturally sensitive faith and spirituality among our youth invites students to know themselves as loved by their Creator. It allows a setting for them to acknowledge their God-given gifts and build upon skills in math, science and reading that they gained during the school year.”

            

This year, school themes ranged from Power Lab: Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power to The Life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha who was the first Native American woman (Mohawk) to be canonized as a Saint. Songs, dances, experiments, labs and hand-on learning opportunities kept the children energized.

“Engaging with spiritual ideas in an educational setting is so critical to them and their strength for the future,” says Fr. Peter.

 

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Photos and Content ©Red Cloud Indian School, 2014