Child Evangelism Fellowship of Lancaster County (CEF) is celebrating its 80th year of reaching children with the Good News of Jesus in the local community. Many people are familiar with the after-school Good News Club programs that are held in the public schools, but they may not be aware that CEF also offers summer programs.

Teens and young adults complete a rigorous training program called Christian Youth in Action (CYIA) to serve with the ministry. These young people, along with CEF staff members, devote their summers to sharing the Gospel with children. All workers and hosts of clubs must complete several required background checks to ensure the safety of all children.

This summer, CEF is partnering with four churches that will host vacation Bible school (VBS) with the theme "One Way." VBS will be held on Mondays to Fridays. The program is open to children ages 5 to 12, and it will include Bible lessons, missionary stories, games, Christ-centered songs, crafts, and Bible verse memorization.

VBS programs will be held from July 8 to 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at Grace Baptist Church, 1899 Marietta Ave., Lancaster; from July 15 to 19 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Mountville Mennonite Church, 205 Froelich Ave., Mountville; from July 29 to Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at Proclamation Presbyterian Church, 598 Kraybill Road, Mount Joy; and from July 29 to Aug. 2 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Crossings Community Church, 8 S. Erisman Road, Manheim.

In addition to VBS, 5-Day Club programs will be available at locations throughout the county. These 90-minute clubs will be held on Mondays to Fridays and are open to children ages 5 to 12. They will include Bible lessons, creative learning activities, missionary stories, songs, Scripture memorization, and games.

The 5-Day Clubs will take place from July 15 to 19 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Landisville Camp Meeting, 201 Church St., Landisville; from July 15 to 19 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at River's Edge Fellowship, 420 S. Christian St., Lancaster; from July 22 to 26 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 2249 Marietta Ave., Lancaster; from July 22 to 26 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Breakout Ministries, 2400 Anita Court, Leola; from July 29 to Aug. 2 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Congregational Church, 2120 Main St., Lititz; and from Aug. 5 to 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Bethel Evangelical Congregational Church, 3716 Main St., Conestoga.

All VBS and 5-Day Club programs are free of charge, but registration is required at http://www.ceflancaster.org.

CEF will offer additional 5-Day Club locations hosted by screened, private residents with background clearances. To learn more, call the CEF office at 717-569-5412.

For more information, visit the aforementioned website.