Build it and they will come.

Whether it is the present day Arabian oasis of Dubai or Chicago’s Trump Tower, the newest ways of attracting interest and willingness to participate is to offer quality and service and to gamble on the future. Bright ideas ensure success.

Bivouacked on the lawn of Riverside’s Presbyterian Church the week of June 20 were four lighted screened tents. Inside the tents were busy children, youngsters in the 2008 Riverside Vacation Bible School. This vacation Bible school is a far cry from the old days when kids hated to give up their summer play days to study religion. Participating churches included Riverside’s Methodist, Presbyterian, St. Mary Catholic and Ascension Lutheran churches.

According to Lynda Floros Nadkarni, director of Christian education at the Presbyterian Church and head of the program, the tent idea is a part of a program that has been in existence for 25 years but was used for the first time in Riverside. The program, “The Market Place 29 AD,” teaches Christianity to children by illustrating how Jesus Christ and his followers might have lived in the year 29.

The children were divided into tribes and, according to their age groups, enjoyed tent life for two hours in the evening in addition to daily programs. The children’s first lesson was based on the foods people of the era ate. The students made and ate bread from barley, flour, brown eggs and brown sugar, and learned about the importance of almonds, figs and dates in the time of Jesus. Some children made pots of clay; some were carpenters. Making bricks with clay and straw was one of the most enjoyable activities, and weaving was another popular choice. The children then sold their wares on a market, just as it was in the time of Christ. Not only did the children eat dinner together, but they were able to enjoy a short play illustrating Bible stories. Kathryn Nadkarni played the part of the tax collector and Pete Jansen, the son of Pastor Scott Jansen of Presbyterian Church, became a role model for the young boys.

The tribes were headed by tribal leaders, including Kathy Roccanova and her daughters, Lisa and Kelsey. Another tent was led by Jannine Buttimer and daughter Kelsey, with Lynda Nadkarni joined by her daughter Kathryn in the third tent. Connie Kelly Haugland and her daughters, Kelly and Mia, took care of the fourth tent. The tents were donated by church members, who gave other items to cut the cost of the program. The 2009 Vacation Bible School is already accepting names of those interested in attending next year.

“We began with 21 preregistered, but when others saw what was happening, we wound up with 41 children,” Nadkarni said.

Those enjoying the program included: Jake, Hannah and Zachi Buhle; Grace and Max Clausen; Chloe Floros of North Riverside; Ben, Abby and Alex Freel; Casey and George Gomorczak; Katrin and Steven Haley; Sylvia and Ben Harvin; Mia and Kelly Haugland; Kathryn Nadkarni of La Grange Park; Lily and Lynna Leimberer; Natalie and Lily Lisle; Stuart Marciniak; Laura and Rachel McLean; Olivia and Lorel Meyer; Claire O’Brien; Henry, Adeline and Hannah Pecis; Will Przybylski; Ethan, Josh and Hannah Ranft; Chancellor and Hayley Rayfield; Margaret Schmidt; Hannah Smith; Carter and Steven Staubus of Berwyn; and Emma Yachnin.

“The weatherman had not predicted rain the first night of the program, so we left all the materials in the tents. I woke up in the middle of the night to a fierce storm. However, some things were a bit damp, but all was well,” said Nadkarni.

Riverside’s Vacation Bible School is open to children in the third through sixth grades. For information, call any church involved.