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The bell signaling the end of the school year rang weeks ago, and in its place is a summer session of fun known to generations as Vacation Bible School.

Wil Davenport, children's pastor at Fairview United Methodist Church, Maryville, said his great-grandparents remember attending as youths. Today's VBS has some of the same elements as back then -- the focus on Christ and teachings from the Bible -- but some have gone high-tech to reel in the media savvy kids today.

Fairview is part of Blount Family Ministries, a group of churches from different denominations who have worked together on community projects in the past. BFM members are promoting each other's VBS, not viewing one another as competition for attendance. Davenport said being a part of the VBS experience is important for laying the groundwork for a Christian walk. It matters not where they go, as long as the children have the opportunity to go, he said.

There are eight different BFM churches who have set VBS over these weeks of summer vacation.

They are:

Monte Vista Baptist Church in Maryville, which held its VBS June 1-4 for ages 4-sixth grade.

Beech Grove Baptist Church in Louisville, also holding VBS June 1-5 for children ages 4 years through eighth grade.

And if you want to experience one of these week-long sessions, the following are still planned:

Fairview United Methodist Church, 2508 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville, will hold VBS June 14-18, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for elementary and 6 to 8 p.m. for preschool.

Alcoa First United Methodist Church, 615 Gilbert St., Alcoa, has its VBS planned for June 21-25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Ages are 3 years through eighth grade.

First Baptist Church of Maryville, 202 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, will offer VBS June 22-25, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with the theme of "Crocodile Dock."

First Baptist Church of Alcoa, 819 Gilbert St., Alcoa, will hold VBS June 22-26, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The VBS is geared toward children in kindergarten through middle school.

Broadway United Methodist Church, 309 E. Broadway, Maryville, has VBS scheduled June 22-26, from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. for children in Pre-K through sixth grade.

Sycamore Tree United Methodist Church, 1830 Clydesdale St., Maryville has its VBS set for July 8-12, for families.

Blount Family Ministries put together a brochure to get the word out about these VBS, and Chick-fil-A has agreed to distribute them in their kids' meals. Davenport said BFM is a good way to pool resources, knowledge and help one another.

Fairview is expecting 400 children at its VBS, and Davenport said it takes 200 to 250 volunteers to make it happen. The theme will be "Crocodile Dock."

"The whole idea behind Vacation Bible School is to reach out to the community for Jesus," Davenport said.

The children at Fairview will also be raising money during VBS for a school called New Horizon, located in Paraguay. They are hoping to raise enough for tuition for five students for an entire year.

Come October, BFM will combine resources again to host the Trunk or Treat event at New Midland Plaza in Alcoa. Last year, more than 5,000 people attended.