Mark your calendars. Vacation Bible School is coming.

Four Beaufort County churches are joining forces for the first time in a five-day Vacation Bible School program from June 25-29.

First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Covenant Church are all participating.

This year’s theme is “Hero Central: Discover Your Strength In God.” The children will learn about the different biblical heroes and discover the traits that make them God’s superheroes, according to Scott Wilkinson, minister of children and contemporary music at First United Methodist Church.

The children will travel between stations while completing different superhero-themed activities. It relies heavily on arts and crafts, science experiments, storytelling and music. The children will also watch a puppet show every morning, Ann Bustard, director of children’s ministries at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, said.

The school focuses on fun. It gives children the chance to learn in a different, entertaining way, according to Bustard.

“Sometimes, they don’t even realize they are learning because they are having so much fun,” she said.

Children, supervisors and volunteers at Vacation Bible School come from many different areas, which gives the children a chance to meet with new people. Brittany Van Staalduinen, director of children and youth ministry at First Presbyterian Church, said by combining churches, children get to interact with other children, which is an added benefit.

“Kids get to be with other kids in the community, and it makes them grow,” Van Staalduinen said.

Children from any church are able to register. Wilkinson said some students come from different churches across the county and even out of state.

“This is not to gain new members,” Wilkinson said. “It’s just to provide the kids who come with a good experience.”

Vacation Bible School can provide memories and lessons that children can carry with them into their futures. Wilkinson said he has fond memories of Vacation Bible School as a child, but has never been to one that goes “all out” like this one will. “The children will definitely be wowed. As soon as they walk in the door, they’ll go, ‘Wow, this is different. This is special,’” Wilkinson said.

The program kicks off June 25 with a hot dog dinner from 5-7:30 p.m. and ends with an ice cream social on June 29. It is open to children ages 4 through rising fifth-graders. Registration is open until 4:30 p.m. on June 25. School is in session from 9 a.m. to noon each day.

For more information, contact Scott Wilkinson at 252-946-3131.