In the fall of 2021, Deb Reimers, who coordinates the New Holland location for the ELANCO Released Time program, was concerned that she might not have enough volunteers to accommodate the number of students taking part. Although Reimers feared student registrations would have to be capped at 60, the program registered more than 130 students and enough volunteers were available each week.

"We had six high school students who volunteered," said Reimers, who noted that volunteers are multigenerational, ranging in age from high school seniors to senior citizens. Reimers added that both men and women help out as volunteers.

Students in third through sixth grades at New Holland Elementary School will receive papers about the program shortly after the start of the school year, which will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Children who choose to take part will ride a bus from the school to Petra Church on Airport Road in New Holland each Thursday at 2:15 p.m.

At Petra, students will be divided into two groups, with the third- and fourth-graders meeting in Petra's multipurpose room and the fifth- and sixth-grade students meeting in The Oasis. Students will be taught a lesson, sing songs, and pray during the first 20 minutes. The ELANCO Released Time program uses a two-year sequential curriculum that begins with the establishment of God as Creator. The program establishes that humans are sinful and in need of a savior and that God provides a way to salvation through Jesus Christ.

The second 20-minute period will be listening time. The students will be divided into small groups of four or fewer with an adult who listens, answers questions about the lesson, and helps with worksheets.

Students who take part in the program will be given the opportunity to earn points toward a week at Woodcrest Retreat in Ephrata, Greenview Bible Camp in Denver, or Tel Hai Camp in Honey Brook. Students will earn points each week by bringing their Bibles to Released Time and memorizing and looking up Bible verses. Students will receive awards for each 25 points they earn. For each 15 points students earn, they have a chance to put their name in a camp box. Each grade has its own camp box. At the end of the spring session, two students' names from each grade will be chosen randomly from the boxes to win a camp scholarship. In addition, the two students with the highest number of points for the whole year will receive scholarships.

Adults who would like to volunteer may call 717-283-8921 or email drjr145@yahoo.com. New volunteer orientation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 1, and the first Released Time will take place on Thursday, Sept. 15. Individuals who would like to learn more about the program may find "ELANCO Released Time - New Holland Released Time" on Facebook.