Lessons From Volunteering
When I was asked to volunteer to help lead Vacation Bible School and a Teen Bible Camp at my church, I was reluctant to say yes. I knew that I needed to study for the PSAT and wondered if volunteering was really a good use of my time. However, I knew that when I grew older, I would not have the same opportunity to go again. I would not be a teen forever. Because of this, I chose to volunteer, and stayed at the church with my brother and mother from Wednesday until Saturday.
Every day, we met with the kids of our church during Teen Bible Camp at one o’clock. We filled out worksheets and discussed bible verses. We also played games. After we ate dinner with them, we would join the church across the street from us for VBS (Vacation Bible School). At VBS, the kids came from all over the community and as such, were strangers to me. They came in all shapes, sizes, and ages. The kids were grouped by age and I was tasked to help a group of kids between the ages of 8 and 12.
VBS would start in the sanctuary with songs with accompanying hand motions. After finishing these, all the groups of kids would be taken to different stations including crafts, stories, and games. We would then come back to the sanctuary for more songs to finish the night. I felt very out of place with such young kids. It was a little hard to imagine that I was their age once too. Each night meant new and different interactions with them
Becoming a leader was something that felt strange to me, considering I was not even an adult. I tried to fit into my role as a teen staff member. It felt awkward at first because I didn’t feel like a kid or a grown up. I didn’t fit into either of those positions. However, I soon became more comfortable with being in more authority. I learned you don’t need to be a grown up to lead kids. As long as you look and act in charge, most of the time, they will listen.
Interacting with the kids is not the only thing I was able to take part of that week. VBS also allowed me to have many new experiences with the other teen staff. We went to the gym and ate lunch together. We also rode bikes and went on runs. These moments were special opportunities to have new experiences. I am very grateful for the privilege to have been able to do so many fun things.
After coming back from VBS, I can honestly say that I have learned a lot. It gave me lessons in leadership, as well as comradery. I am grateful that I chose to go. I would definitely go again next summer and I would advise any teen to volunteer at a VBS too. Volunteering as a teenager can obviously only happen a couple times in your life. It is a great exercise to break out of your shell and become a leader, even for just a week.
Preston Park is son of Jae Park. He is 15 years old, living in Indiana and going to his second year of high school.