Keep kids busy all summer long with this free library program
With summer just around the corner, parents may be wondering how to keep their children active and engaged with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. The Library’s annual Ultimate Summer Challenge — now completely online — offers a fun and convenient way for Calgary’s families, kids and teens to create, read and learn, all for free.
“At the Library, we understand the importance of keeping young minds active over the summer months,” says Mark Asberg, CEO, Calgary Public Library.
“That’s why the Ultimate Summer Challenge has become a Calgary tradition. This year, we’re making it a fully virtual experience to ensure that kids and their parents have all the tools they need to support reading, have fun and stay connected to the Library.”
Whether hanging out indoors with a learning activity on the computer or enjoying a good book on the porch, the Ultimate Summer Challenge lets kids participate at their own pace, wherever they are. And it’s not just for school-age kids; preschoolers and teens can join as well with goals, activities and prizes just for them. The Ultimate Summer Challenge is supported by J K L Maclachlan Family Fund.
Here are five reasons why all kids should sign up for the Ultimate Summer Challenge:
It’s free and easy to register
Participation in the Ultimate Summer Challenge is totally free. All you need is a valid, free Library membership for the person you’re registering.
Each child will get their own account on Beanstack, a free app where they can complete challenges at their own pace, earn digital badges and keep track of their progress.
Visit calgarylibrary.ca/usc to sign up for the Ultimate Summer Challenge today.
No Library membership? No problem. Join now for free at calgarylibrary.ca/ join.
Discover tons of fun activities
The Ultimate Summer Challenge offers lots of ways for kids to stay busy over the summer months. With reading goals and digital badges to unlock, your child can keep their reading skills sharp and discover new favourite books.
They can also take part in creative projects and learning activities, including STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math) challenges.
There’s something for every age
Children of all ages can enjoy the Ultimate Summer Challenge. Caregivers can register their infants or preschoolers in the 0 – 5 challenge and enjoy reading a book together every day. School-age kids have lots of fun activities to help them create and learn, and teens can participate in the Teen Takeover, a summer program designed just for them with reading goals and creative challenges to complete. Since it’s all online, it’s easy to participate anytime, anywhere.
Prevent summer slide
Without reading and learning opportunities during school break, some kids can find it difficult to adjust when they go back to school, known as “summer slide.”
Reading, creating and learning over the summer helps keep kids schoolready. The Ultimate Summer Challenge is a fun, convenient way for students to keep their minds active before they go back to class.
Win amazing prizes
There are plenty of prizes to be won in each age group as part of the Ultimate Summer Challenge. Infants and preschoolers can win a customized storybook, schoolage kids could win an ipad, and teens participating in Teen Takeover have the chance to win Indigo gift cards or a Chromebook.
Everyone is entered into the grand prize draw upon registration, so your child has a chance to win as soon as you sign him or her up. Good luck!
Register today for the Ultimate Summer Challenge. Visit calgarylibrary. ca/usc to sign up now. Don’t forget, your child’s name will be automatically entered into the grand prize draw!
Need help finding some great reads for your child’s summer reading goals? Check out calgarylibrary.ca/ digital-library to find curated book recommendations for all ages in Beanstack, animated read-along books for kids in Tumblebook Library, and ebooks and graphic novels for teens in Teenbookcloud.