Young churchgoers romped through rainforests, beaches and exotic islands this summer - without ever leaving north county.

From "A Tree Top Bible Blast" at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Pasadena to "Rainforest Adventure" at Harundale Presbyterian Church in Glen Burnie, tropical themes abounded at this summer's crop of vacation Bible schools.

Though the theme ties together all Bible school activities, the main focus is teaching children about God, organizers say.

"Hopefully, they learn how to go and spread God's word," said Debbie Oltman, director of Emmanuel Lutheran Church's Bible school.

The children who attended...