Summer Learning Program, June 21-August 3, 2025

Huntingdon Valley Library’s Summer Learning Program begins on Saturday, June 21 and will run for just over six weeks, through Sunday, August 3. This summer’s theme is “Color Our World.” Join us for our Summer Learning Kick-Off Party between 1 and 3 pm on Saturday, June 21.
Program Details
Who can participate?
Everyone! We have challenges for four different age groups.
- Emerging Readers – For babies through preschool
- Elementary – For youth entering grades K-6 in the fall
- Teens – For youth entering grades 7-12 in the fall
- Adults – For all those older than high school age
How do I sign up and participate?
Starting on June 21, you can sign up either at the library or register directly using the Beanstack app or website.
What is Beanstack?
Beanstack is the online software that we use for our reading programs. All reading logs, activity logs, and raffle tickets (for prizes) will be entered using Beanstack. You can register online using our Beanstack site or the Beanstack app (search for Huntingdon Valley Library). 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) - 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 fellow HVL patrons in your age group
- Access book lists
- Invite people to Friend you using a code and see how your reading compares to your friends on 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.
If you already have a Beanstack account, just update the information for all of your readers (to make sure they will be in the correct challenge for their age group) and register them for our Summer Learning Program reading challenge (starting June 21). Challenges appear on the Challenges tab (on a web browser) or the Discover tab (in the app).
Can I participate if I don’t have internet access?
YES! For those who need or would prefer a paper reading log, those will be available at the library beginning on June 21, but all of your data will still need to be added into Beanstack in order to enter prize raffles. People who have internet access can transfer the information to Beanstack from the paper logs themselves (feel free to use the public computers at the library!), 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 reading logs and/or to enter smaller raffles. All paper logs must be submitted to the library in person by close of business on Saturday, August 2 (earlier is better for staff!).
What counts toward my reading time?
Fiction, nonfiction, 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 biweekly and/or grand prize raffles that you can enter to win. Prizes will include grand prize baskets, tickets to area attractions, small gift cards, and book sets. All prizes must be picked up at the library (we are unable to mail prizes).
Events
We are planning a full slate of events. Click on the links for more information and to register.
All Ages Events:
- Summer Learning Kick-Off Party – June 21
- KooKoo the Cartoon Magician* – June 25
- Family Art Night* – July 2
- Elmwood Park Zoo on Wheels* – July 9
- Puzzle Competition* (Sign up for Family/All Ages or Adults) – July 12
- Family Yoga and Mindfulness with Nakesha Moore* – July 14
- Wacky Science Show with Mad Science* – July 16
- Bollywood Dance Celebration! with Community Bollywood Dance Project* – July 23
- Summer Learning Closing Party: Carnival of Colors* – July 30
Children’s Events:
- Board Game Brigade* – June 23 & July 21
- Crafternoon – June 26 & July 17
- LEGO® Club* – June 30 & July 28
- Eco Exploration with EMU – July 8
- Potions 101* – July 3
- Music Play Patrol: Color Our World with Music* – July 10
- Outdoor Endeavors – July 11 & July 25
- DIY Plant Person* – July 24
- Preschool Storytime – Weekly on Mondays from June 23-July 28
- Toddler Storytime – Weekly on Tuesdays from June 24-July 29
Teen Events (Events under this header are for Teens only):
- The Application Advantage: Navigating the Common App & Developing Standout College Application Materials – June 23
- Cupcake Wars* – June 26
- “Nailed It” Bad Art Night* – July 3
- Bath Bombs* – July 10
- Illustration Workshop with Jason Rodriguez* – July 17
- Pendulum Painting* – July 24
- Trashion Show* – July 31
- Art & Audio Book Club – June 25, July 9, & July 23
- Craftivity* – July 2, July 16, & July 30
Adult Events (Events under this header are for Adults only):
- Art with Anita for Adults – Koi Acrylic Painting* – June 24
- Intro to Line Dancing with Miss Susan* – June 30
- Team Trivia Night* – July 22
- Steel Drums: The Music & History with David Gettes – July 28
- Kokedama String Gardening with Master Gardener Pat* – August 14
- Open Art Night* – August 28
- Sit & Knit – June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, & July 28
- Evening Book Club – June 9, July 14, & August 11
- Morning Craft & Tea* – June 11, July 9, August 13
- How to Use Library Resources – June 14
- Mystery Book Club – June 28, July 26, & August 23
- AI Scams & How to Avoid Them* – July 15 & August 15
- Chess Club – Weekly on Tuesdays from 2-4 pm and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 pm
- Tai Chi – Weekly on Thursdays from 11:15 am-Noon, $8 per session
- Friday Movie Matinee – Weekly on Fridays at 11 am, viewers are encouraged to stay for a discussion following the films shown on the first Friday of each month
Events with an asterisk* require registration. Events without links above have multiple sessions. Please visit our online calendar for more information and to sign up for registration-required events.
Thanks to our sponsors!
The Summer Learning Program is sponsored by the Friends of Huntingdon Valley Library, with additional support from:
- Action Karate Huntingdon Valley
- Beat the Bomb Philadelphia
- The Bucks County Children’s Museum
- Dairy Queen of Bethayres
- Dave’s Backyard Farms
- Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
- Kidology, Inc.
- Longwood Gardens
- Mad Golfer Golf Club
- No Bull Training
- Otherworld Philadelphia
- Penn Cinema
- Premier Martial Arts
- Storybook Musical Theatre
- Sushiman
- Valley Dental Care
(Additional sponsors will be added as donations are received. If your organization would like to donate to our Summer Learning Program, please call Head of Youth Services Vanessa Nelson at 215-947-5138 or send email to [email protected].)