The 2018 Eckville Summer Reading Program is under way at the town library with this year’s theme entitled, “Feed Your Passions.”
The focus of the Summer Reading Program is to encourage kids to read during summer while also helping to retain the knowledge they learnt in school, Keziah See, program director, said.
As the “Feed Your Passions” theme was rather a large topic and quite general, See and fellow co-ordinator Patti Skocdopole, decided to develop a program based on video games popular with library patrons.
The two stressed that the kids will not actually be playing video games. Rather the kids will participate in “real-life versions of some of the most popular library video games using the theme as a portal to explore a lot of different topics including non-fiction,” See said.
While the program is focused on reading, many other activities are planned for the summer program including an obstacle course, which the kids participated in on July 26.
“The obstacle course teaches the kids sportsmanship, teamwork, and of course is always a great physical activity,” See said.
Other activities will focus on engineering and building skills. There will also be a light-hearted take on zombies that will include face painting and playing tag.
There will also be a “natural disaster day” where the kids will learn about nature, weather, and geology.
The library staff will also offer prizes based on the number of books an attendee has read.
“That really motivates them to read a lot and has been really successful in the past,” See said, adding, “kids seem to have fun with the activities.”
One of the goals of the Summer Reading Program is to “associate fun and good times with the library so when they get older, they will be more likely to use it as a resource.”
The 2018 Eckville Summer Reading Program takes place at the Eckville Town Library and runs from July 12 to Aug. 16. A final party/activity day is planned for Aug. 18.
There is still time for local kids to sign up and participate in the program for the season.
