What Children Learn in Hero Training Camp VBS

Session 1
I Can Be a Hero
Some people don’t realize the power of the conscience in their
lives, but in Hero Training Camp children are learning that God has placed inside them the ability to see problems and take action. The conscience and the Holy Spirit prompt a child to do the right thing. God has given each child a conscience and by training it with God’s Word and learning to respond to it early, kids are heroes in the making. One of the ways children can practice being heroes is to look for things that are wrong and fix them. For example, one of the games in this lesson contains ten pictures, each illustrating a problem such as a mom coming in overloaded with groceries or clothes left in the bathroom. The students are to identify a solution for each picture, illustrating the fact that they can see problems and are ready to take action, just like heroes. The Power Words for this lesson are “I am eager to do what’s right” and the Bible story looks at the early life of David as God was preparing him to be a hero while he took care of sheep and practiced his lyre.

Session 2
Understanding the Mission
David fought Goliath, but before he did, he fought a bear and a lion. In the same way, difficulties in life make heroes stronger to prepare them for handling bigger challenges that will come along. The Power Words for this session are “Problems, interruptions, and challenges are my mission.” Unfortunately, many children respond with anger to the frustrations of life. One of the games in this lesson is called the Anger Bomb Game. This game helps children lengthen their anger fuse so that they don’t blow up as easily. One of the signs of a hero is the ability to control emotions even when things are frustrating and recognize that God is working in the midst of struggles.

Session 3
How a Hero Knows What’s Right
Heroes rely on inner beliefs called convictions that help them make right choices. The Power Words for this lesson are, “I will develop convictions based on God’s Word.” Sometimes life is unfair. David learned that as he ran away from King Saul for years even though he didn’t do anything wrong. Unfairness can upset many children but heroes have convictions that help them do what’s right even when things around them are going wrong. One of the enemies of the conscience is emotions. A child may feel too tired to work on homework or feel like hurting a friend who has been mean. In those moments it’s the inner rules called convictions that motivate children to do the right things even though they may not feel like it.

Session 4
Heroes Help Others
David was kind to Mephibosheth who was crippled in both feet. Children learn that kindness is a hero quality that often requires a little extra work, and sometimes courage. One of the illustrations encourages children to be kind to kids who are different than they are, in particular, reaching out to a child who may have a disability or special need of some kind. The Power Words for this lesson are “I’m always on the lookout to help others,” and children are encouraged to look for ways to demonstrate kindness. One of the fun games in this lesson is called “Always Room for One More” and forces children to brainstorm about ways to include others.

Session 5
God’s First Aid Kit
When something is wrong a hero has the courage to fix it, even when he’s the one who did the wrong thing. David sinned with Bathsheba by taking her to be his wife even though she was married to someone else. He was wrong, but when corrected, he admitted his sin and God forgave him.The Power Words in this lesson are “I know the power of admitting when I’m wrong and asking for forgiveness.” Admitting fault can be a challenge for some children so one of the games played has children fail in order to win the game. When they fail they must make a statement, “I made a mistake, I can learn from that.” When that mistake involves hurting someone else, then they must say, “I made a mistake, will you forgive me.” Heroes desire to live with a clear conscience and that requires that they have a plan for dealing with offenses.