SPARK Elementary Religious Education (Grades 1-5)

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SPARK Elementary Religious Education (Grades 1-5)

SPARK Elementary Religious Education (Grades 1-5)

Program Coordinator/Contact Person: Mrs. Nicole D. DesOrmeaux

List of Volunteer Assignments.
Volunteer Meeting Presentation.
Volunteer Notes for Day 1.
Overview of Bible Stories for Station Leaders

An Overview of our annual Elementary Summer Religion Program (in June):

Shortly after the Summer Program ends in June, the make-up packets are linked below. A flocknote message will be sent in late June or early July to inform parents that the make-up packets have been updated and are ready for download.

NOTE: In recent years, we have been fortunate to retain the volunteer help of a retired nurse or "Camp Mom" to help us address the individual needs of campers throughout the ten days of the summer program. Having that extra support allows our staff to focus on other daily details and periodically check in on all of the learning centers throughout each morning.

The daily schedule of our 10-day Summer Program features a format similar to VBS programs.

Each morning begins with a large-group assembly where the day's main topic (usually a Bible story) is introduced.
Campers in each grade level (Grades 1-5) are divided into four crews. Each crew in Grades 3-5 has a Crew Leader while crews in Grades 1-2 have a Crew Leader and an Assistant Crew Leader. (Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders guide crews from station to station, monitor behavior, and assist campers in all activities throughout the morning.) An entire grade level rotates through five 25-minute learning centers throughout the morning:
- Crafts: As often as possible, crafts reinforce the main topic(s) of the day.
- Bible Theater: Each day, this learning center features a 15-20 minute segment of an animated video and/or games to help reinforce the main topic of the day.
- Prayer Center: Based upon the list of prayers which were assigned to each of our grade level years ago (and approved by our current pastor), the station leader and crew leaders help the children learn/review and memorize traditional, sacred prayers. Links to all of our grade-level Prayer Sheets may be found on the Prayers page of this website. When campers feel prepared and ready, they recite memorized prayers for our volunteer Prayer Partners. (NOTE: When the diocesan list of elementary grade-level expectations includes a prayer that is not on our grade-level prayer sheet, we introduce/review that particular prayer in a Sunday Session for that grade level.)
- Catechism Corner: As often as possible, a professional elementary school teacher serves as the leader in this learning center. Crews within each grade level read and discuss short Catechism lessons using easy-to-read, age-appropriate, traditional Baltimore Catechism textbooks, and when time permits, play games or use writing/drawing activities to reinforce the topics in each day's lesson.
- Outdoor Games/Indoor Prayer Time: Unless a child produces a "written excuse" from a parent, all children in each grade level participate in daily exercise. After a few minutes of warm-up exercises, the Outdoor Game Leader introduces the day's game/relay. Students may choose whether they want to go into church for a few minutes of quiet prayer time or remain outside to play the game. At least one crew leader always accompanies the children into the church while the rest of the crew leaders remain outside to help the Station Leader monitor the outdoor activity. A water cooler and plenty of paper cups are always at hand for a quick water break.
Snack Time: At mid-morning, students and volunteers enjoy a simple snack (usually a juice pouch and chips or cookies). Campers, crew leaders, and other volunteers who have food allergies are allowed to bring their own snack. Backpacks must remain on the stage until snack time begins and, after snack time ends, are returned to the stage until dismissal. Unless a parent specifically notifies us that medical supplies must accompany a camper throughout the morning, book sacks cannot be carried during the rotation through learning centers.
Review Music for Day 10's Mass: Each day, approximately 10 minutes are dedicated to reviewing the music which will be sung during Day 10's Mass.
Each morning ends with a large-group Daily Finale assembly featuring a quick skit or game to review of the daily topic or Bible story, a short talk from one of our Summer Seminarians or our pastor, and/or music.