VBS 2026: Snowball Mountain Challenge

With the help of about 40 volunteers, almost 90 kids (rising 4K–6th-graders) braved the blizzard on top of Snowball Mountain (conveniently located in the Great Hall) and came home knowing they can do all things through Christ! Each day, the challengers went through their various rotations (Lift Lessons, Craft Chalet, Praise Peak, Glacier Games, and Snowcap Snack Shack), focusing on a different lesson from the Old or New Testament every day:

Day 1: I can share my gifts
Joseph Interprets Dreams: Genesis 40:1–41:45

Day 2: I can be brave
Esther shows courage: Esther 3:7–8:8

Day 3: I can give my all
The widow’s offering: Mark 12:41–44

Day 4: I can pray
Jesus Prays in the Garden: Matthew 26:36–46

As usual, our faithful youth groupers and their steadfast leader, David Gilbert, entertained (and taught!) the young VBSers each morning with a hilarious skit written, directed, and narrated by David Gilbert himself. This year’s skit taught that there is good and evil. Sometimes we follow the enemy and fall into sin, but God is merciful and He is always victorious––and Jesus Christ always saves the day! Also as usual, the conclusion of the skit was saved for the family worship and lunch session on the last day, so parents and siblings were able to witness the triumphant ski race victory of heroines Graceanna Law Rabbit and Allie Luiachorus––with the help of Sonny Godwin––over the evil Hans Gruber and his team!

Another VBS and youth group tradition is Change4Change, a fundraising effort that has the kids bringing in change (earned from chores, raised from a lemonade or craft stand, etc.) to support our home and world missions. This year, the kids and youth raised $1,123.05! 

And a couple of new potential traditions sprang up this year, too! During some of the crafting time, the VBSers created encouraging cards to be given to some of the folks on our parish prayer list.

How the recipients will love finding those in the mail! Also, we were able to pass all of the decorations on to another church, Harborview Presbyterian, who will be taking on the Snowball Mountain Challenge in July! “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 9:10–11)

Thank you to all our VBS families and all our wonderful volunteers, and thank you to St. Philip’s Academy for allowing us to take over their beautiful space for the week! Clementine Anderton took many beautiful pictures of our adventures on Snowball Mountain––view more of on our Facebook page!

If all of this sounds fun to you, you’re in luck––Dorothy Lancaster would be happy to bring you into the children’s ministry fold as a volunteer! Contact her to get started: dlancaster@stpchurch.org.