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Many Abilene area churches are gearing up to offer vacation Bible school, and their themes this year range from Spider-Man and superheroes to a crocodile dock with gator games and a "Bible bayou."

Last year, one church had a "Soul Wars" vacation Bible school with a "Star Wars" theme.

Vacation Bible school has been part of religious outreach and education in many churches across the country since 1894 and today, many churches still consider it one of the most important activities they host each year.

Most churches purchase a "package" for their VBS curriculum with activities, lessons, posters and a theme that may sometimes play into popular culture, such as movies and comic heroes.

Children attending VBS at Aldersgate Methodist Church will meet both biblical and real-life heroes at "Super-Heroes of the Bible." The theme is designed to teach that everyone, regardless of their age, can be a hero.

"We want the kids to know that at any age, they can be a superhero to someone," said Tracie Hartman, children's director. "They can be a good friend, feed people who are hungry or pray for people. Heroes are just ordinary people making a difference."

Kids will meet a diverse group of heroes, including Spider-Man, Superman and Wonder Woman as well as some they may not have heard of before, such as Plaidman and Polka-dot Girl. They'll even get to meet real-life heroes who are firemen, policemen and teachers, proving the point that real heroes are everyday people.

Other local VBC themes this year take children on biblical adventures.

"We are giving kids the opportunity to experience Rome and an underground church during the life of the disciple Paul," said Cassie Irwin, director of children's ministries at First Baptist Church, whose VBS theme this year is "Rome -- Paul and the Underground Church."

Irwin said when kids arrive, they will be given a costume to wear, assigned to a "family group," and then they will set out to experience life as it was for Paul about 2,000 years ago. Irwin said the wide range of activities, including a pottery wheel, metal works, chariot races and dramas, work together to serve one purpose.

"Everything, down to the food, is designed to allow the kids to experience life in Bible times and show them that even though Paul faced hard times, he still found hope and trust in the Lord just like they can do today."

Most churches follow a similar format in planning a VBS -- four or five days of activities packed with crafts, dramas, games, snacks and Bible stories geared toward elementary aged children -- usually at no charge.

Many churches will invite families to come and participate in activities with their children on the final day (or night). This allows parents to see what their kids have learned and share in the experience.

According to Jane Hurley, director of Christian education and evangelism at First Christian Church, VBS serves two important roles -- both evangelistic and educational.

"Educationally, VBS is a great tool to help children connect with the stories of the Bible," she said. "It makes the stories real and tangible to them."

As for the evangelistic role, Hurley said the theme says it all.

"Our theme teaches that God is powerful, he cares, will do what he says he will do and he gives us life. A message everyone needs to hear."

Their VBS theme, Crocodile Dock, will also give children a fun, hands-on learning experience with a "Dockside Drive-In," crawfish crafts, Bible bayou, snack shack and gator games in which the kids get to get have wet, slimy fun outside.

Although the number of churches, themes and lessons are too numerous to list, one thing is common to each: reaching children with a message of hope and love.

"We want children to understand that they were created by God with a purpose, and they are never too young to start living it out," said Hartman.

As part of their program, they give children the chance to donate money for an outreach project. This year the money raised will be given to "Nothing But Nets," a campaign fighting to save the lives of children in Africa with bed nets.

The bed nets help reduce the spread of malaria by mosquitoes, and Hartman said, based on past years, she hopes to raise approximately $800 that could provide about 80 nets.

It is also a practical way to allow children to be a true hero to those in need.