Kids search for treasure in a sandbox-turned archeological dig at Desert Spring United Methodist Church's vacation Bible school. This year, the church opted for an Indiana Jones-inspired program that focuses on God's promises to people. Photos by Craig L. Moran. Running through their lines for a skit from the Bible's Book of Ruth are Casey Andrews, 10, left, who plays the harvest boss; Ally Andrews, 12, who plays Ruth; and Allyson Dunkerly, 13, who plays Naomi. Music is a key part of Desert Spring United Methodist Church's vacation Bible school. Here, campers learn lyrics and hand gestures for one of the rap-flavored songs they'll perform later that evening. Vacation Bible school leader Brandy Andrews teaches first- and second-graders about Psalm 103. Kayla Jones models an outfit other kids made for her out of newspapers. According to the vacation Bible school lesson plan, the goal is to teach kids that God's love covers them like a newspaper.

It looks like Indiana Jones' rec room.

Call it Mayan Lite, the decorating scheme in which the sanctuary of Desert Spring United Methodist Church has been decked out for this year's edition of vacation Bible school.

Against the wall, a painted backdrop features illustrations of wood and stone walls. At the front of the altar, there's a drawing of a sort of rock ladder. To the right, there's a rustic-looking mock pedestal that will later serve as a perch for, no fooling, a talking puppet owl.

Add into the mix about 90 kids wearing straw pith helmets and you have a place where Indy would feel right at home if he were, in fact, a Methodist.

Vacation Bible school, that rite of childhood passage for generations of Christian kids, isn't what it used to be.

"I don't remember there being sets," concedes Kay See, who has been directing vacation Bible school at Desert Spring for three years. "I remember there being crafts and snacks and games. It was tons of fun, but it just seems like this is a little more of a production."

That's because churches these days can purchase packages from religious publishers that include everything necessary for vacation Bible school, from daily lesson plans to props to CDs and DVDs that add aural and visual components to the proceedings.

This year, Desert Spring chose a program called "Adventure of the Treasure Seekers: Exploring God's Promises," which takes kids on a weeklong archeological "dig." During the five sessions, children sing, watch skits, participate in crafts and each day find an artifact in a sandbox that illustrates the day's lesson.

Cooler still, each day's sessions open with a skit that features two not-at-all traditional spiritual guides: "Dr. Zig," an archaeologist, and a puppet owl named "Prof. Whoo."

Corny? Maybe if you're an adult. But if you're 5 years old, it's the neatest thing since The Wiggles or Kim Possible.

Evan Newton, who plays Dr. Zig, is only 14 but already an old hand at this sort of stuff. "Last year, I did activities, like in one of the small groups," he says, wearing an Indiana Jones-like vest and khaki shorts. "I played, like, Moses, I guess."

Also, aside from all the props and dramatic touches, Desert Spring's vacation Bible school differs from the programs parents might recall in that it takes place during the evening.

When the church began its summer school several years ago, many of the children attended year-round schools. That's no longer the case, See says, but "a lot of the people who help out work during the day and really enjoy it and do it year after year. To do it in the daytime, I'd have to find new people to do it."

Vacation Bible school at Desert Spring is open to anybody, regardless of whether they belong to the church -- or, even, any church at all -- and it's free.

"We, in our church, see it as an outreach to the community," See says. That's why church members participated in this year's Summerlin Fourth of July parade, passing out candy bags that bore a pitch for the school and the church's Web address.

"To me, it's pure fun and joy, and it's an opportunity for kids to come in, be in a safe place, spend time with their friends and make new friends, and learn about God," See says.

Jaylene Davis, a member of the church, brought her sons, Noah and Zachary, to the event for the first time this year. No hard-sell was needed, she says, and the only potential problem was that the boys "think they're actually digging for treasure."

After the opening skit with Dr. Zig and Prof. Whoo, the campers head off in groups to the various activities where they'll learn today's lesson: "God Loves You."

In one room, Brandy Andrews offers some simple background about the story of Naomi from the Book of Ruth. Outside, players, who will perform a short skit for the kids, run their lines for the first time.

" 'Naomi' " Casey Andrews, 10, says, his ear pressed to the door. "She's talking about you, Allyson."

Allyson Dunkerly, 13, is unable to stifle a laugh. "Yes, it is I, Naomi," she answers melodramatically, flinging her arm as if in a silent movie.

"We only got (the script) today," explains Ally Andrews, 12, who'll play Ruth.

In another room, Skip Staton is teaching kids two songs with vaguely rappish melodies and at least mildly street-authentic hand signs.

"Do we have to perform it?" a skeptical kid asks warily.

"Well, yeah, man. We're in town all week," answers Staton, who's wearing an oddly apropos porkpie hat from the '70s that, he proudly explained earlier, he found on eBay in its original packaging.

In another room, kids are painting miniature wooden treasure chests which, at the end of the week, will hold the tokens, coins and other souvenir artifacts they'll dig out of a nearby sandbox -- in line with the program's archeaology theme -- each day.

As the festivities continue, the Rev. Tom Mattick walks around taking photos like a guy on vacation, pleased he's seeing so many smiles.

The main goal of vacation Bible school is "to introduce kids to God and God's love," he says. "That's the overarching principle of the whole thing."

But, he continues, vacation Bible school also "gives us an opportunity to meet some of the people in the neighborhood."

Lori Clark isn't a member of the church, but thought her kids might enjoy vacation Bible school. While Whitney and Christopher, 6 and 3 respectively, are off with other campers, she and daughter Ryleigh, 10 months, sit down for a breather.

"Our friends heard about it," says Clark, who also saw the church's contingent marching in the Summerlin parade. While her family belongs to no church right now, "we believe in the Bible," she says, "so it just seemed like it'd be a perfect opportunity."

The kids are enjoying the event so much that Clark says there's "definitely" a chance she and her family will join the church.

"Everyone is so nice," she says.

Margy and Joe Cepielik already are members, but have brought their grandson, Akiah, 8, to his first official vacation Bible school.

Whose idea was it? "We put it in a very diplomatic way," Joe answers, offering Akiah the deal that he agree to attend only the first session. Then, Joe says, "if he likes it, he can continue and if he doesn't, he doesn't have to."

The verdict? "He came over," Margy says, "and (said), 'I'm coming back.' "