The walking stick is one of the main teaching in our vacation bible school program they are cut and made by adults before the program begins and they are found free from a nearby treeMoses and Shepherds using their sticks and staffs to heard their flocks -both people and sheep. The staff, walking stick/rod  was the early symbol of leadership in the Church and in most organizations. The kings used them, the preists used them they played a very important part of Biblical History.

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The walking stick is one of the main teaching in our vacation bible school program they are cut and made by adults before the program begins and they are found free from a nearby treeThe walking stick Lesson important in the first day. There is no magic in the stick. GOD does not use magic. From Pharoah, the water from the rock, the parting of the Red sea, all are examples of GOD's Amighty POWER.  The power was not in the stick, or even MOSES it was simple a tool used by GOD.  It is also very important in this Vacation Bible School Program. Like any hike one must be prepared for the journey.  The children will work on their walking stick in the classroom first.

For your information:

In the Bible, canes are frequently used as measuring rods, walking sticks, or pens. In Palestine "cane" properly refers to the species Arundo donax, Giant Cane, about which the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states:

It grows in immense quantities in the Jordan valley along the river and its tributaries and at the oases near the Dead Sea, notably around `Ain Feshkhah at the northwest corner. It is a lofty reed, often 20 ft. high, of a beautiful fresh green in summer when all else is dead and dry, and of a fine appearance from a distance in the spring months when it is in full bloom and the beautiful silky panicles crown the top of every reed...
(Hebrew Qaneh, "cane," is translated as) "stalk" (Genesis 41:5, 22); "shaft" (Exodus 37:17, etc.); "reed," or "reeds" (1 Kings 14:15 2 Kings 18:21 Isaiah 36:6; Isaiah 42:3 Psalm 68:30, the King James Version "spearman"); "calamus" (Exodus 30:23 Songs 4:14 Ezekiel 27:19); "sweet cane," margin "calamus" (Isaiah 43:24 Jeremiah 6:20); "bone" (Job 31:22); used of the cross-beam of a "balance" (Isaiah 46:6); "a measuring reed" (Ezekiel 40:3); "a staff of reed," i.e. a walking-stick (Isaiah 36:6 Ezekiel 29:6); the "branches" of a candlestick (Exodus 37:18).

In the Bible, cane appears most notably in Ezekiel, where it is the measuring rod used to measure the prophet Ezekiel's visionary temple, and in Revelation, where it used to measure the New Jerusalem.

The walking stick is one of the main teaching in our vacation bible school program they are cut and made by adults before the program begins and they are found free from a nearby treeI was looking for a walking stick one day for this program.  I had noticed the walking stick used in a movie about Moses.  So as I was walking in the woods one day the Lord directed me to a place where I found this stick.  It was unique and awesome. I sanded it and it is the one I use for this program. God alway's amazes me and I have come to expect the unexpect from Him indeed.    I invite you to make your trip to the woods to find your sticks.

Take your staff, and stretch out your hand on the waters of Egypt.”

Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded, and struck the river; and all the water in the river turned to blood. The fish died, and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink any of the water throughout all the land of Egypt.

Activity example [to be done by a adult only] You can go as Moses, complete with turning water into 'blood' (or Jesus and turn water into 'wine'). All you do is add some phenolphthalein indicator to a glass of water, then add some sodium carbonate to it. Washing soda, sodium carbonate, is an alkaline with a pH of 11, and while it doesn't give off harmful fumes, you do need to wear gloves. It is found in the laundry section of most supermarkets. Arm & Hammer is one brand; Shop and Save has a generic house brand. It is also known as Soda Ash. You can also buy it from swimming pool supply stores; a popular brand is pH up. This is not the same thing as baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate. Though similar, sodium carbonate is a much stronger base.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it: and the Children of Israel shall walk on dry ground through the middle of the sea.”

It is important that we remember to teach our children that God also gives us guidelines and instructions to follow. Sometimes we don't follow these instructions. Gods Servant Moses, even though he was called of God and recieved the Commandments, a Leader choosen he disobeyed God.  The example of the walking stick can also remind the children of how we also sometimes dont listen to God. Moses not only disobeyed God one, but twice.  He struck the rock with his stick twice.  God loves us no matter what, but we also must be reminded that there is a response to our actions, to obey is a choice, to follow instructions given us.

The Jews have been wandering for 40 years in the desert and they're thirsty. So God tells Moses to speak to the rock and water will come forth (Numbers 20:8). The instruction to "speak" to the rock is in contrast to 40 years earlier, when Moses followed God's instruction to HIT the rock -- and water gushed out (Exodus 17:6).

This time, Moses is to speak. Yet he again hits the rock. Nothing happens, so Moses hits the rock a second time, and water comes out.

God's response: "Since you HIT the rock rather than speaking to it, you will not lead the Jewish people into the Land of Israel" (Numbers 20:11-12).

 Before your program begins have men of your church cut the sticks and use a axe to remove the bark. Details are provided after registration.  You can also just take a walk in the woods and simply pick up fallen sticks.  I always make sure that they bend when you place pressure on them.  After the children finish their sticks they take the first part of their hike to the easy-up outside where their is a cardboard ark of the covenant. Here they will place their sticks and sit as the object lesson is given to them.  Then they will go back to the classroom and the other elements[ equipment] will be explained and given out before they continue on to the second part of their Hike...Creation.  I know that creation is first but the key of this program is the walking stick and it must be addressed first in the program.  Follow through for Day one continues. This is the first of two parts for this beginning day.In

                                                      THE WALKING STICK OF MOSES. 

In todays world churches are doing VBS themed around HARRY POTTER> Yes you hear me right. This is also a great example of how the Wizzards of Pharaoh [the Harry Potter types] are over come by the POWER of the Almighty GOD>

In Egypt, when the Pharaoh demanded Moses to demonstrate a marvel, he made his brother Aaron's rod turn into s

This episode is well-known, but it is probably worth noting that in the orignal text, the rod was transformed into a tanin תנין "dragon" [Heb.], a word that has been employed in modern Hebrew to mean "crocodile". In the Septuagint, it is a drakon δράκων, and the Vulgate has coluber "serpent".

That is to say, the creature is different (or is designated by a different word) from the "serpent" nahash נחש of the Garden of Eden.
The distinction maintained by the seventy translators of the Septuagint (who called it ophis ὄφις "snake") and by St. Jerome (serpens).

Pharaoh's wizards were also able to transform their rods to tanin, but Aaron' rod gobbled up the rods of the other wizards.

Subsequently, the Hebrew God causes The Nine Plagues. The waters of Egypt turn to blood when either Moses or Aaron struck the water of the Nile with his rod. The plague of frogs and flies(gnats) is invoked by Aaron's rod. Moses by lifting his hands causes the plague of locusts to devour the crops, and when he raises his rod it brings forth the east wind that carries the locusts to Egypt.

 

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Walking stick a must/ Fossil making/ Littlefoot dino/pine cone bird feeder/ mud bricks/ first aid kit optional/

 

The walking stick is one of the main teaching in our vacation bible school program they are cut and made by adults before the program begins and they are found free from a nearby treeChoosing the right stick before your program is very important click here to read more

      The children will learn about the 12 tribes and a craft will be done in the classroom before they continue onto the second part of their hike for this day to CREATION. See day 1 on index page.