Raymond Public Library has unique summer programs with emphasis on learning and fun

By Cal Braid

Westwind Weekly News

The Raymond Public Library is offering a Summer Reading Program, and this year’s theme is Myths & Legends.  The program runs from July 4 – Aug. 12 and offers a variety of games, events, workshops, crafts, and learning experiences for the kids. 

Faye Geddes is the library manager and has worked there for almost 19 years. On June 29, the library kicked off their summer programming with a birthday bash. 

“We’re celebrating our 90th anniversary,” Geddes said. For the celebration, “people could drop by during the day and have a cupcake. We also had a photo booth, people filling out their favourite memory of the library, and a little cardboard playhouse that kids could colour.” By their count, 223 people dropped in for a visit.

The brochure for the summer program is posted on the library’s website, and there’s plenty to keep the kids busy. The activities and highlights will include a playground program, mini golf, Wii fun, Mad Scientist Days, and arts and crafts. A few of the notable workshop activities are making diamond dot art, beaded bracelets, origami, ceramic cups, paracord keychains, and dreamcatchers.

“We accept anyone of any age, but we target our crafts to between six and twelve. If adults want to come, they’re more than welcome,” Geddes said.

The library is running an incentivized Subway Reading Challenge that anyone can participate in. Readers can submit one entry for every 30 minutes of reading and enter a weekly draw for a Subway gift card. The reading logs can be picked up at the library.

Preschoolers and up can attend a Storytime on the Lawn on Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. They can also participate in crafts if accompanied by an adult.

Geddes explained the book inspired workshops that are a great part of the program. “We choose a book an encourage the children to read the book before they come to our workshop. Then all the activities in the workshop relate to the book.” 

“For instance, in Keepers of the Lost Cities most of the main characters are elves. So, for the activities, we’re doing an elf circlet, which is kind of like a crown and they have a specific wand that they use, so we’re going to make some wands too. I usually read a little bit from the book in case there are children who haven’t read it. They can get some context as to why we’re doing the activities that we’re doing. For Narnia, (we’re) basing it upon The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. There’s a battle in there, so they’ll make horses out of pool noodles and play tag. That’ll be their battle.”

The weekly Mad Scientists days will feature subjects like aerodynamics, outer space, and electricity, “just to introduce them to different scientific concepts, nothing really in depth,” Geddes said. “We like to have fun.”

Harry Potter will influence the games as well. “Quidditch is kind of like capture the flag, but they do it on brooms. So, for that they’re going to make their broom and for the final activity of the day, they’ll play their quidditch games and the winner will get a little prize.”

“Our Family Fantasy Fair is our final day (Aug. 12). We encourage the families of the children and really anyone who wants to come to attend. It going to be kind of like a Comic-Con, where they can dress up as their favourite comic or fantasy character. We’ll have crafts and games that day to celebrate the end of our summer reading program. We try to think of something for everyone.”

You can find the PDF brochure at https://raymondlibrary.ca/ in the Events drop-down menu.

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