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DENMARK -- A unique, ecumenical Bible school held on the banks of the Edisto River marked its 28th year this summer.

Each June, an average of 150 children participate in River Bible School, learning Bible lessons, canoeing, swimming, doing craft projects and more. This year's Bible school was held June 9-13.

"I am so glad to have the opportunity to bring my child to River Bible School," said parent volunteer Dena Ransdale Gleaton. "I enjoyed it so much as a little girl, and now my son is enjoying it, too."

In June 1981, four women -- Mary Rivers and Eleanor Crum of Bethel Park United Methodist Church, Emily Guess of Christ Episcopal and Laura Carlson of Denmark Presbyterian -- came up with the idea for the unique alternative to vacation Bible school. The three churches had previously held a joint VBS so there would be enough students to break into various age groups and a larger pool of adult workers for the event.

Since then, River Bible School has been held at the Denmark Country Club, an Edisto River community that originated in the early 1920s as a retreat, where volunteers and students use cottage porches and the club pavilion in place of church sanctuary and Sunday school rooms for the different activities associated with River Bible School.

In addition to the typical Bible school activities, each summer, a daily offering is collected to benefit a community cause, as chosen by the Bible school's planning committee. The offering is presented to a representative of the chosen group or agency at the Bible school's Friday night round-up program and picnic. Past projects have included smoke detectors for needy families, extrication equipment for the Denmark Rescue Squad, a monetary donation to the Tri-County Literacy Program, equipment for the Denmark Fire Department and a donation to the Denmark Benevolent Fund.

This year's offering will go toward a memorial at the river in honor of Josh Thomas, a Bible school student who died this spring.

The 2008 River Bible School theme was "Beach Party," and participants used purchased VBS material. Bible school students "surfed" through the scriptures to learn important Christian attitudes, and through music, scripture, crafts, games and role playing, they learned the importance of displaying those attitudes in their lives.

Volunteer Diane Williams said she thinks students have a "true spiritual experience" at the annual event.

"On Wednesday, as one class was leaving, a 12-year-old young man hung back, and as the others headed up the steps, he turned to me and said, 'For the first time, I think I really understand about Jesus,'" she said.

Volunteer Mimbee Baker said River Bible School is not only a community outreach but a generational endeavor.

"Those of us who had children grow up in River Bible School want it to continue for our grandchildren," she said. "The river is a perfect setting to experience the beauty God has created for us to enjoy."

Special to The T&D

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