Vacation Bible School is a summer tradition familiar to many in Chilton County.

The program, perhaps best known as a children’s event, has been expanded in many churches to include adults.

Maple Springs Baptist Church is starting a new Vacation Bible School this year. The start of VBS is one of the biggest signs of progress since the church rebuilt after its building was destroyed by fire in December 2007. The first worship service in the new building, located on the same site as the old building on County Road 47 south of Clanton, was held Aug. 16, 2009.

“Nobody that’s going here now can remember having a VBS,” said Carolyn Davis, VBS director and wife of the Rev. Roland Davis.

The program will be held June 14 through 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. nightly. A commencement service will follow at 5 on Sunday night, June 20 in the church’s sanctuary.

The VBS theme at Maple Springs is “Operation Space: A Close Encounter With God’s Word,” and the facility will be decorated according to the theme. Activities will include Bible stories, music, crafts, refreshments and recreational activities.

“We’re hoping the community is going to spill into our church next week,” Carolyn Davis said.

Even though the church’s children’s group is rather small, the church hosted a harvest festival in October that was well attended. Davis said she hopes to see a similar response for VBS.

The church welcomes all children from preschool through sixth grade to sign up. Depending on the response, future programs may include a wider age range, Davis said.

Volunteers from both Maple Springs and Liberty Hill Baptist Church will assist.

“We’re a real loving church family. God is blessing our work there,” Davis said.

For more information, call 755-2918. For VBS activities at churches across Chilton County, see today’s Community Calendar.