Summer Learning Program, Jun. 21-Aug. 1

Adults, Archive, Friends, Kids, Seniors, Teens

Our Summer Learning Program begins on Monday, June 21 and runs for six weeks, through Sunday, August 1. This summer’s theme, Tails and Tales, celebrates animals.

Teaser Video

Check out a teaser for our Summer Learning Program, created with help from our Teen Advisory Board!

Program Details

Who can participate?

Everyone! We will have challenges for four different age groups.

  • Emerging Readers – For babies through preschool
  • Elementary – For youth in grades K-5
  • Teens – For youth in grades 6-12
  • Adults – For all those older than high school age

How do I sign up and participate?

Visit the library (view our hours on the left side of this page, make sure to wear your mask, and stick to any posted time limits) beginning on June 21 to pick up a Summer Learning Program folder with event information, details on how to register for Beanstack, a bookmark, and maybe a small treasure or two. We will also have some optional handouts available, such as age-specific recommended reading lists, children’s activity newspaper (while supplies last), and a paper tracking form for those who need or prefer it. You can also sign up directly online using the Beanstack app or website.

All reading logs, activity logs, and prizes will be entered using Beanstack. You can register online using our Beanstack site or the Beanstack app (search for Huntingdon Valley Library). Challenge registration will be available in Beanstack beginning on June 21. Beanstack will allow you to:

  • Register all readers under one family account (easiest if one main person or device will be logging the family’s reading)
    OR adults can register children and teens for their own accounts (easiest if the child/teen has their own device and will be logging for themselves) Beanstack app
  • Log reading time (you can even time your reading sessions through the app!)
  • Log learning activities
  • Earn badges & raffle tickets
  • Submit raffle tickets for prizes
  • Write book reviews & read reviews from your fellow HVL patrons
  • Access book lists
  • NEW THIS YEAR! Invite people to Friend you using a code. Then, see how your reading compares to your friends in the Leaderboard. Learn how this works in the mobile app or on the website.
  • Share readers between accounts (good for multiple caregivers watching one child)

To find out how to do things in the app, watch Beanstack’s general videos on how to view/participate in challenges, use the reading timer, log past reading, log activities, and log a book as completed.

Can I participate if I don’t have internet access?

YES! For those who need or prefer a paper log, paper logs will be available, but all of your data will need to be added to Beanstack in order to enter prize raffles. People who have internet access can transfer the information to Beanstack from the paper logs themselves, but those without internet or who prefer help can bring any paper logs in to the library. Staff will be happy to add your information to Beanstack for you and assist you with submitting tickets for prizes. Bring paper logs in to the library periodically during the summer to get new logs and/or enter smaller raffles. All paper logs must be submitted to the library in person by close of business on Friday, July 30 (earlier is better for staff!).

What counts toward my reading time?

Fiction, non-fiction, audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels, magazines, school reading…EVERYTHING! If you’re reading, it counts! For emerging readers not yet reading on their own, log the time that others are reading to them. 

Are there prizes? 

Yes! Depending on the age group, we will have weekly, biweekly, and/or grand prize raffles that you can enter to win. Prizes will include grand prize baskets, small gift cards, individual STEAM prizes, and book sets. All prizes must be picked up at the library (we are unable to mail prizes). Million Minute Challenge Ad

Will there still be a community reading goal? 

Yes! Last summer, we set a community goal of reading one million minutes. It’s an ambitious goal and we only made it to 273,337 minutes last summer, BUT if we invite more friends to participate, we can beat our number from last year. Can we make it to one million this time?

Events

We have a full slate of events planned. Most events for the summer are still virtual. Click on the links for more information and to register.

Youth Author Tour Events – Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Youth Author Tour 2021 - SquareIn these live virtual Zoom events, New York Times-bestselling author Jarrett J. Krosoczka will show students how he went from being a drawing-loving kid to a widely-published adult and how he brings his ideas from sketchbook to printed book. Presented by the Montgomery County Libraries “One Summer, One Author” Youth Author Tour.

  • Tuesday, June 29 at 6:30 pm
    For youth entering grades 3-6 in the fall
    This event is targeted to middle grade students and will will focus on the Lunch Lady graphic novels and Star Wars: Jedi Academy series.
  • Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30 pm
    For youth entering grades 6-12 in the fall
    This event is targeted to middle school & high school students. Jarrett will be discussing his teen graphic novel Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction, which was a National Book Award Finalist.

Registration for both events is required. Register at https://linktr.ee/mcyae.

Make sure to select Huntingdon Valley Library as your home library when registering. Ten Huntingdon Valley Library patrons will be randomly chosen from each registration list to win a free copy of one of his books.

Thanks to our sponsors!

The Summer Learning Program is sponsored by the Friends of Huntingdon Valley Library, with additional support from:

  • Adventure Aquarium
  • Dairy Queen of Bethayres
  • Lee’s Hoagie House of Southampton
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Valley Orthodontics