Westfield, MA- Entering through a dark passageway as a colony of bats flap overhead, 65 young children set out on a faith based day camp 
experience last week at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. A small army of volunteers spent the month of July transforming the building with paint, cardboard and ingenuity.Following the theme for the week, the campers gathered at the mouth of a huge cave- the stage decorated with colorful stalactites and stalagmites and bats that appeared to fly out of the darkness into the gym.
“Jesus is the one who lights our way,” the children sing as the morning begins, the songs teach lessons from the Bible. OLBS Musical Director Melanie Peetz accompanies the children on the organ. “I enjoy this week,” she said Friday. “It’s fun for me to play new music and see what the organ can do.”
Throughout the week, the campers met a series of characters including Radar the bat, a moth named Mawtha, Sal- a salamander, a lightning bug and an owl. Separated into small groups, the children moved from room to room where a different activity awaited them. A favorite stop was the imagination station where Kelly O’Sullivan led the children in science related activities. “The children smashed rocks to find geodes,” Kelly explained. They also used water, steam and ice to learn about the Holy Trinity.
Fr. Daniel Pacholec looks forward to this week. He says VBC brings the parish together in many ways. “Older parishioners pitch in with the supplies for the scenery and the daily snacks. A college student returns every year to paint the characters. Families turn out to decorate. It’s really wonderful to see the friendships form,” he said. 
“This year, vacation bible camp was really a joint effort,” said Sheila Conroy, co-director for OLBS. “We joined with St. Mary Church and that provided more campers, crew leaders, and volunteers to make the week possible.” Co-director Kay Mowatt of St. Mary’s Church said volunteers pitched in the preparations and as crew leaders. Some students even earned community service hours for St. Mary’s High School.
16-year-old Madison Robitaille was a camper as a child. This year she was a station leader. “The best part of the week is seeing the kids grow closer to God,” she said. Rebecca Monti and her young brother Dominic served as crew leader and junior crew leader. “She really blossomed this year. And Dominic enjoyed the transition from being a camper last year,” said mom Cindy Monti. It’s the final year as a camper for Jacob Van Heynigan. He helped with the painting and decorating. He says next year, “I’ll be a junior counselor.”
Cave Quest was a family affair for the Moriarty family. Mom Melissa was a room facilitator.
Members of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church vacation bible school were greeted with a cave-like experience during their recent get together. (photo submitted)
Daughters Bridget and Sarah returned to serve as crew leaders while her younger brothers enjoyed the week as campers. “Daniel liked the games, especially the variation on duck, duck, goose!” said Bridget.
After camp, children can download the Cave Quest App and continue learning about Jesus and following the light of the world. That is one of the goals for the week according to Fr. Dan. “Children who are alive in their faith want to come to church. They want to know God,” said Fr. Dan.
