SHEPHERDSTOWN — On the weekend of July 18-20, the churches in the Corporation of Shepherdstown will be hosting a Community Vacation Bible School (CVBS) at Trinity Episcopal Church.

According to organizational committee representative Jennifer Wabnitz, this will be the first time that the free event has been held in its current location. Prior to this year, CVBS was hosted by one of the churches right outside of the town’s corporate limits — Asbury United Methodist Church. That church elected not to participate this year, which led to CVBS’s location change.

“The churches of Shepherdstown often pool resources together, in order to make programs a little more viable for all,” Wabnitz said. “This summer, we will be holding our Community Vacation Bible School at Trinity church. They have a great facility, with outdoor play space. New Street Methodist will be supplying teachers and craft supplies. All of the pastors will have a chance to address the group. Volunteers will be coming from the Friends of Quakers, as well as the Presbyterian and Lutheran congregations in town. We’ve all been doing this together for the last 40-some years.”

She noted that a few more adult volunteers and a music leader are still needed, to help everything run smoothly. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to reach out to their church leaders.

“It will only be two-and-a-half hours each day, so it won’t take up your whole weekend,” Wabnitz, who attends New Street United Methodist Church, said. “We need people to play the guitar. We’re just going to use old-fashioned hymns the kids have heard before — young know, ‘My Lighthouse’ and ‘This Little Light of Mine’ — things like that. The idea is to help them feel more comfortable in church.”

However, she made clear that children who do not attend church will still have fun participating in the CVBS.

“It’s not really like a Bible-something revival. It’s more like, if you’re missing your family or struggling or wanting to do something with some old-timey traditions, come and join us!” Wabnitz said.

The theme for this year’s CVBS will be, “Operation Restoration: Mending God’s World.”

“Each night we’ll share a kid-friendly type of story, so they’ll understand it. We’ll have a craft and games that will go along with the theme,” Wabnitz said, mentioning one of the crafts will be a bird feeder. “It’s meant to be uplifting. Pretty young-aged children can see fear and dread in their parents, so this is a way to give them some encouragement — especially during these uncertain times. This is also another avenue for them to make some new friends!”

At the same time as the Community Vacation Bible School is being held, a separate event for the children’s parents will be held right next door in Trinity House.

“In the house is this beautiful parlor with some lovely antiques. We’ll have some refreshments there and some fun games, so parents can plan to just come and chill. Barbara Weller — an experienced teacher with a comedic edge — will lead discussions among the parents,” Wabnitz said. “I think people will really be uplifted by spending time with her. She’s gone through struggles in her own life, so she won’t be preaching at people, though she will be happy to give parents suggestions.”

CVBS will be held on Friday from 6-8:30 p.m., on Saturday from 2-4:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 5-8 p.m. A community potluck dinner will be held on Sunday, for all of the families and volunteers participating in CVBS.

Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 208 West German Street.