Skip to content

Open a book and join the Summer Reading Club in Chilliwack

It’s ‘a great opportunity to encourage everyone to read throughout the summer,’ says librarian
17382003_web1_SummerReadingClub.0618
The Summer Reading Club “has all sorts of great benefits especially for kids because kids who read throughout the summer, studies have shown, tend to do better in school come the fall,” says community librarian Katie Burns. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)

Whether you’re one day old or 100 years old, everyone can take part in the Summer Reading Club at Chilliwack’s libraries.

“This is a great opportunity to encourage everyone to read throughout the summer,” says community librarian Katie Burns about Summer Reading Club (SRC). “It’s really wonderful… everyone can sign up. It’s really unique for its inclusion of all ages.”

SRC begins at the Chilliwack and Sardis libraries on June 21, and at the Yarrow Library on June 22.

When you sign up, you’re handed a reading record in which you mark off boxes for every day you read. Read for a total of seven days and you get a sticker (for younger kids) or a draw entry form (older kids and adults) when you bring your reading record to the library.

There are four age categories: preschool and younger, kindergarten to Grade 6, Grade 7 to 12, and adult.

“It has all sorts of great benefits especially for kids, because kids who read throughout the summer, studies have shown, tend to do better in school come the fall,” says Burns.

The kickoff party for SRC takes place Wednesday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chilliwack Library.

In the morning (until 12:30 p.m.) there will be a story time, face painting, a bouncy castle and sand art outside the library at Salish Park. Then at 12:45 p.m., head inside to see the Great Gordini work his magic. He and his assistant Otto the Skunky Munky will present a show filled with magic tricks, wacky fun, and a lot of opportunities to participate.

The fun will continue every Wednesday throughout the summer until Aug. 14 with Storytimes in Salish Park from 10:30 to 11 a.m., followed by special guests until 11:30 a.m. Each week will feature something different.

In addition to the weekly story times, all three libraries will be hosting a plethora of free events from art to jewelry-making, a circus performance to puppets, crafts to live animals. See complete list below.

SRC wraps up with a medal ceremony at the end of summer at Sardis Library.

With two months of summer vacation ahead of them, kids will have plenty of time to read all sorts of books from novels to picture books to comic books. Parents shouldn’t be too concerned with what their children are reading, says Burns.

“Worry less about what your kids are reading and more about whether or not your kids are actually enjoying what they’re reading because that’s how you’re going to create a lifelong love of reading.”

• • •

Here are this summer’s events at the Chilliwack, Sardis and Yarrow libraries:

Imagine the Possibilities: Hogwarts is coming to the Yarrow Library • Yarrow Library, July 2 to Aug. 1 • Register for the Summer Reading Club and then get sorted into one of Hogwarts houses using the Sorting Hat. Will the Sorting hat place you into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slyerin or Ravenclaw? Anyone can be sorted and each participant will receive a house sticker to place on their reading record. You can also participate and enter weekly Harry Potter scavenger hunts. On Wednesday, Aug. 21 after receiving your SRC medal staff will announce the Hogwarts (Yarrow Library) House winner that read the most.

Summer Reading Club Kick off Party featuring The Great Gordini • Salish Park, behind Chilliwack Library, 45860 First Ave. 604-792-1941, Wednesday, July 3 • The Chilliwack Library, in partnership with the City of Chilliwack, is kicking of Summer Reading Club in style this year. Bouncy Castle, crafts, face painting, watermelon and much more – sign up for Summer Reading Club while you’re at it! This is a perfect opportunity to pack and enjoy a picnic in the park and enjoy a free day of fun. Kickoff party outside: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Great Gordini show inside: 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.

Storytimes in Salish Park • Salish Park, behind Chilliwack Library 45860 First Ave. 604-792-1941, Wednesdays, July 10 to Aug. 14 • Every Wednesday during the summer, the Chilliwack Library, in partnership with the City of Chilliwack, will be hosting Storytime in the Park. Each week will feature something special, check it out! In the event of extreme weather, storytime will be moved indoors. This community program is brought to you in part by funding provided by the City of Chilliwack.

Storytimes will run 10:30 to 11 a.m., followed by special guests from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

July 10: Radical Raptors with Gary Worley

July 17: Yoga for Kids with Daisy from Namaste Hiking Co.

July 24: Craftapalooza

July 31: Circus Lab

Aug. 7: Breakdance Project

Aug. 14: Chilliwack Chiefs

Family Yoga • Sardis Library, Wednesday, July 3, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. • This is not your typical yoga class…this is Family Yoga! Be ready for deep belly breaths and big belly laughs. We will have loads of FUN regardless of your age. Yoga increases flexibility, concentration, confidence and overall well-being. No experience necessary. Registration required and begins Wednesday, June 12.

Summer Storytimes • Yarrow Library, Wednesdays, July 3 and 10, 10:30 to 11 a.m. • Summers here and so are storytimes. Introduce kids to the love of books and language with Storytime. Children and caregivers will enjoy interactive stories, songs, rhymes and more. Storytime prepares children to learn to read.

Playdough Meetup • Yarrow Library, Thursday, July 4, 2 to 3 p.m. • Bring the kids in for some playdough fun. Playdough stimulates their senses and offers endless opportunities for imaginative play. This program is geared towards children ages 2 to 8.

Magformers/Keva Blocks • Yarrow Library, Tuesday, July 9, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. • Join us for construction fun. Build structures by stacking KEVA planks — no glue or connectors needed. From preschoolers up, everyone can explore engineering techniques and build at their own skill level. This program is geared towards children ages 5-12.

Sand Art • Sardis Library, Wednesday, July 10, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. • Spring into an art activity at the library and create beautiful and colourful sand art. Registration required, for ages 4 to 10.

LEGO & Green Screens • Yarrow Library, Tuesday, July 16, 2 to 3 p.m. • Add some technology to your LEGO day — create a structure or building and we’ll use our green screen to “put you in it.” This program is geared towards children ages 5-12

Ozobots: Code, Play and Learn • Yarrow Library, Tuesday, July 30, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. • Ozobot is a miniature robot that fits in the palm of your hand. It is designed for children to learn coding. It can follow lines or roam around freely, detect colours, and can also be programmed. So learn coding with us on this fun-filled afternoon. This program is geared towards children ages 8-14.

Playdough Meetup • Yarrow Library, Wednesday, July 31, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. • Bring the kids in for some playdough fun. Playdough stimulates their senses and offers endless opportunities for imaginative play. This program is geared towards children ages 2 to 8.

Raptors Ridge Birds of Prey • Sardis Library, Thursday, July 12, 11 to 11:45 a.m. • Raptors Ridge will offer a rare and unique opportunity to view birds of prey up close and personal. This family friendly program will include fun and fascinating facts while promoting the identification of raptors, their natural habitat and habits associated with their surroundings. This is a ticketed event. Tickets available for pick up at the Sardis Library a week before the event.

Storytime in Pioneer Park • Yarrow Pioneer Park, July 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m. • Bring your blankets and lawn chairs; enjoy a family-friendly library program in the Park. There will be a short storytime followed by a puppet show and some popcorn and refreshments courtesy of Yarrow Envision Financial.

Craftapalooza for Tweens and Teens • Chilliwack Library, Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. • Come for an abundance of crafty goodness. We have perler beads, air-dry clay and other craft materials waiting for your imaginative touch. For ages 9-18. Registration is required, please call or drop by the Chilliwack Library to sign up.

The Great Gordini • Join the Great Gordini and his assistant Otto the Skunky Munky for a show filled with magic tricks, wacky fun, and a lot of opportunities to participate. Can you figure out the magic? Imagine the possibilities!

Chilliwack Library: Wednesday, July 3, 12:45 p.m.

Sardis Library: Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m. *

Yarrow Library: Thursday, July 11, 11 a.m.

*Events at the Sardis Library require a free ticket, available one week before the event.

Tiffany Stone • Puppets, poetry and props! Join poet Tiffany Stone for poems and rhymes about flaming flamingos, baaad animals and rainbow colored clothes. There will be rhythm and rhyme and plenty of time for everyone to participate in the fun with words.

Sardis Library: Monday, July 15, 11 a.m. *

Chilliwack Library: Tuesday, July 16, 11 a.m.

Yarrow Library: Thursday, July 25, 2 p.m.

*Events at the Sardis Library require a free ticket, available one week before the event.

Karima Essa • Be a Bollywood star! Experience the magic and joy of dance and storytelling as Karima Essa performs Bollywood dance. Learn traditional dance moves with Karima.

Sardis Library: Tuesday, July 30, 11 a.m. *

Yarrow Library: Thursday, Aug. 8, 2 p.m.

Chilliwack Library: Friday, Aug. 9, 2 p.m.

*Events at the Sardis Library require a free ticket, available one week before the event.

Family Painting Class • Sardis Library, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2 to 4 p.m. • Have fun learning to paint a beautiful sunset scene with the whole family. Learn basic landscape techniques using acrylic paint. Registration required, for ages 6+.

Circus Lab • Sardis Library, Saturday, Aug. 16, 11 to 11:45 a.m. • Have you ever wanted to see what the circus is all about? Now’s your chance. Performers from Circus Lab will demonstrate their acts on a variety of aerial apparatuses during this family friendly event. This performance will take place just outside of the Sardis Library. In the event of inclement weather, please contact the library to confirm, as this program will be postponed for another day.

Bracelet Making • Wednesday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. • Use natural stones and other fun materials to create one of a kind jewelry that is easy, fun and simple to take on and off the wrist. All tools and materials supplied. Registration required, for ages 12+.

Well-Worn Trail • Great blue herons, otters, snowy owls — discover fascinating facts about Canadian animals and their habitats. The Well Worn Trail storytellers, Rob and Lillian, use puppetry, songs and story to kindle the wonder of nature in children of all ages.

Yarrow Library: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2 p.m.

Sardis Library: Thursday, Aug. 22, 11 a.m. *

*Events at the Sardis Library require a free ticket, available one week before the event.

Making Earrings • Sardis Library, Friday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. • Learn how to use all the components needed to make simple, lightweight earrings. All ear hooks are surgical steel; friendly for sensitive ears. All tools and materials supplied. Registration required, for ages 12+.

Back to School at Hogwarts • Sardis Library: Monday, Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Calling all Muggles! Back To School At Hogwarts is returning for one magical day only. Stop by the to get all your wizarding needs taken care of. Wizarding Events include:

· Practice your magical skills at our spell station

· Use your Potterheads to break into lock boxes and be entered to win a grand prize

· Get sorted into a house and be entered to win a prize

· Bring a 1.5” by 2/5” photo and make a Hogwarts school ID

· Dress up in your finest Wizard gear and be green screened to Hogwarts

… and much more!


 

@PhotoJennalism
jenna.hauck@theprogress.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.



Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
Read more