By LEAH SCHWARTING/The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Despite the warm June weather, children inside St. Mary Basilica’s Family Life Center are keeping cool with snow and storms of bubbles this week.

It is all part of this year’s Vacation Bible School, “Everest.”

According to Jennifer Lambuth, the program’s co-director along with Marcie Carlton, the theme teaches children how to conquer challenges with God’s power and how to overcome obstacles with His help.

“And to have a good time,” she added.

On Tuesday, Gianna Tuccio, 5, and Rachel Misita, 6, had fun during their trip to Bible Expeditions, where Bible verses are re-enacted.

The two girls heard the story of King Ahab and the prophet Elijah, whom God told to tell the king that there would be no rain.

For Misita, the story had a simple moral.

“If you’re scared, trust God,” she said.

However, Lambuth said the fun wouldn’t be possible without the team of volunteers.

“We’ve got a wonderful group of volunteers who work so tirelessly and put in so much time and attention,” Lambuth said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to come here and feel everybody coming together for the same common goal.”

One of the volunteers, Amy Gamberi, was in charge of the Imagination Station Monday, a center that combines hands-on activities with a snowfall of science. With the eyes of several children on her, she picked up a plastic tube with a piece of soft cloth covering the top.

Smiling, she dips it in soapy water and blows through the uncovered end. A long tube of bubbles emerges, eliciting a series of “Whoa!” from the seated children.

It’s not an unfamiliar scene for Gamberi. During the school year, Gamberi teaches at Cathedral School.

“A lot of these kids I teach, so it’s really good to see them in another place,” Gamberi said.

At a nearby station, 8-year-old Sarah Chase Porter leans over a container of soapy water, blowing her own bubbles.

Porter’s been to VBS for a few years, and she’s looking forward to the rest of the week. The Imagination Station is Porter’s favorite station, and Gamberi is one of the things she likes about it.

“It’s with one of the teachers who teaches at my school, and she’s really nice,” Porter said.

Adults aren’t the only ones working hard though. During a slight lull, six of the program’s middle and high school volunteers took a break in the kitchen. Paige Rentfro, Emma Thibodeaux and Ali Fury are group leaders this year, while Leah Stevens and Rose Schwager are group helpers.

Rentfro has been helping out with VBS for the past three years, and likes the activities it offers for the children.

“It’s something for everybody,” Rentfro said.

However, their break doesn’t last long.

After a moment the teens put down their drinks and head off to their stations, as eager as Porter for the week to continue.

Vacation Bible School season kicked off this week in the Miss-Lou and will continue at churches across the Miss-Lou in the coming weeks.