Thoughts on Vacation Bible School (or Day Camp)

This summer thousands of churches will put their armies of volunteers together for the summer ritual known as Vacation Bible School. Our church tried something a little different with a day long camp. It included aspects of VBS with elective classes taught by trained professionals throughout the rest of the day. The Bible teaching was still a part of the whole camp. As a youth pastor, I am obligated to participate in the festivities. I played a wussy pirate who wanted to be a teapot in the morning skit and I taught a lesson to 3rd-5th graders for a 1/2 hour. Our VBS numbers were way up this year. Part of the increase has to be that we held VBS throughout the entire day. Parents must love the fact they can drop off their kids for most of the day. Is it me or is Vacation Bible School reflecting more and more an episode of High School Musical? There is nothing more faith based than chants of "CHOOSE JESUS" to thumping techno music. There is also your share of crafts with a short shelf life, cheap t-shirts, and loads and loads of coins put in the offering (collecting a total of $20-$30 to buy a goat in a far off country).
A part of me loves watching ministry like this happening from afar. The other part likes to be connected with the families who bring their kids to these events.