Independence Day From the Perspective of Kids

Part of my job this summer as an intern requires me to help out with a lot of activities involving kids. Yesterday had me at a summer Bible school, teaching a lesson on citizenship. However, I got there a little early and got to sit and watch the Independence Day program the church was conducting for the kids (ages 3-14).

One of the older groups of kids gave a brief history of the founding of our country. I learned that the Revolutionary War was fought because we couldn't have tea whenever we wanted. And then Paul Revere said "the British are coming," and the first shots were fired.

However, I think my favorite part was the question-and-answer session with a sergeant in the U.S. Army. First he asked them why they were proud to live in the United States of America. Answers included:

-Freedom
-"All the good animals"
-Fresh air
-Parades

Then, the kids got to ask the sergeant questions. He began by saying "And yes, I do carry a gun, I have seen a dead body, and I haven't killed anyone." After several kids raising their hands and telling irrelevant stories, some finally began to ask questions such as:

-Do you always have to wear that?
-Where's your hat?
-Why do you wear a hat?
-Have you ever been in a real war?
-Do you get to see things that fly and things in the water?

And then, one boy raised his hand and said, "My dad has a gun he kills deer with." Sergeant Carter acted interested and asked him which type of gun he used. The boy didn't know. But one of the younger kids, a boy about four years old, spoke out, yelling "A deer gun!" so matter-of-factly like he thought the answer should be obvious.

And while they may not have gotten all the facts right, it was obvious that they were a patriotic bunch, singing "My country 'tis of thee" loudly and with many wrong words. But it was really heartwarming to see such eager kids, and I could tell the activity was very educational while being interactive at the same time.