We love it!!!!!!!!!!!! Ashland has been doing it since the 1990's. It's something special for the 6th grade (6th - 8th are welcome but may compete only once). My experience has been that 6th grade is a world of it's own. This age level just quite does not fit anywhere. Some are still in the mindset of elementary and some are ready for a life of vocation. Here is what we do.
The 6th grade meets at the same time as the elementary grades but has always been considered part of the Youth (middle school). They read the Picture Bible that looks like a comic book. (They read some in class together and some as homework) They love it! In class the kids compete against each other on what they have learned. Each kid has a binder with the questions and answers, questions are on either the Church (usually Mass) or on the Bible stories. The kids know these stories from reading the comic book bible. They remember details adults have trouble remembering.
Our class is being taught by a 11th grader who was in the Heritage Bowl when she was in 6th grade. Her Dad is going to be the assistant. (to have the 21 year old presence for Archdiocesan guidelines)
Each year there is a theme. A Bible verse. The kids make up a skit to perform on the day of Heritage Bowl that goes with that bible verse. All of the team participates somehow. The teams are also scored on the skit. The kids really love to plan their skit. (simple props, costumes, and signs included).
All the kids wear T-shirts of the same color to signify their team spirit.
Before the Heritage Bowl we have practiced by having a mini bowl competing against the Adults in the Parish. The kids always win because they have been studying the questions and can answer them quickly off the top of their head.
Two years ago the questions were translated into Spanish if you have any kids that prefer to study in Spanish, the pictures bible can also be purchased in Spanish.
On the day of Heritage Bowl each parish provides a judge and scorekeeper and timer. In Oregon, Rosy and her husband run the show. They run a tight ship to keep the event fair, yet fun! It's a great time for parents to see how smart and holy their children are.
It's very organized, and the kids are so proud of themselves, they have to work together as a team and even the shy kids contribute with their knowledge. The team elects a team captain to do most of the speaking for the team, but if someone is really good at answering a question quickly that person usually answers that question for the team. Questions are given points based on the difficulty in answering them. For example: What did God say to Moses through the burning bush? " Do not come near. Take off your shoes; this is Holy ground. Go to Egypt and tell the Pharaoh to set my people free." (This is a 400 point question). Questions have to be answered with all the key concepts. If the team misses one point, the same question is then posed to the next team to answer. It's like a game show and sporting event in one. A 200 point question is "Who was Adams and Eve's 2nd son?"
I have added a game night/movie night/lock-in to the event here in Ashland. The schedule goes like this.
Noon- lunch for all
Heritage Bowl event - goes until about 3 o'clock includes breaks in between sections of the event. This year we also took a break to dance. We did a rap song similar to the electric slide. Was good for all ages, young and old.
After the heritage bowl - we hike over to a nearby park and have games and Pizza. Then we come back to the parish hall and watch a movie (something cool according to the kids, but age appropriate)
Then we hang out in rooms - boys in one and girls in the other. We also sleep in these rooms.
Teams all attend 9:30 am Mass together wearing their team shirts. Parents pick up the kids after Mass.
It's great fun and everyone learns and grows deeper in faith. The kids build strong relationships with each other.
Sorry for the long e-mail, but I really hope this event can keep going and continue to build the Church and most of all a strong faith for our kids.
