New Heights Baptist Church started summer by holding its third annual Vacation Bible School event, titled "The Incredible Race: Kid's Bible Blast," on June 24-26.

Held in Edmond Town Hall's gymnasium, the event was a three-night adventure for kids ages 4-12 to "race around the world" and learn what it means to follow Jesus every step of the way.

New Heights Pastor Zach Kinsman called Kid's Bible Blast a time for families and kids in their church to come together to enjoy games, crafts, and learn about Jesus.

"It's just been a great way to be able to connect and be involved with the community," Kinsman said.

The event was divided into several stations spread throughout the gymnasium. These stations ranged from a bible lesson and arts and crafts to snacks and games such as a cup stacking race. Kids were split into four different groups and rotated through each station in 15-minute blocks, giving everyone a chance to explore every activity.

Kinsman said it is the same routine for all three days of the event.

"But every day we change up the craft, and we change up the game, so there's always something new for the kids to look forward to," he explained. "And then we end with a closing service that's full of songs and giveaways, things like that."

Every kid also gets a T-shirt corresponding to the event's theme. This year's theme was "The Incredible Race," hearkening to the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. To that end, each station was themed around a different location in the world. For example, the snacks station was themed around Antarctica, and even had its own small display of an igloo, a penguin, a polar boar, and snowballs.

As for what has kept them running this event, New Heights Children's Pastor Kyle Capelo said it seems more and more kids from the community come every year.

"All the kids, we've seen a lot of them come back year after year and bring friends, so it's been great," Capelo said. "My favorite part is probably when the kids are all together at the end of the night. Hearing all the way up to 100 kids sing together ... it's really cool."

Around 90 kids attended Kid's Bible Blast this year, with over 30 volunteers ready to help them at a moment's notice.

Christy Tassitano, one of the event's many volunteers, said she was happy to help out. By volunteering for Kid's Bible Blast, she said she learned that all age groups are very different and have their own unique needs.

Capelo said that New Heights looks forward to hosting the event every year, and that they usually try to do at least one big event every season for the kids.

"I always try to have something for the kids in the community," Capelo said.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.