SUMMER READING CAMP

Engaging Learning in the Summer Months

Tyler Public Library

• Located in Tyler, MN
• Lincoln County
• Small town library
• Solo librarian

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Danebod Lutheran Church

What is Summer Reading Camp?

• 5-day day camp intended to help keep kids’ brains engaged in learning during the summer months
• Started in response to concerns of local teachers
• Research shows Summer Reading Programs benefit low-income students and they can raise reading test scores.

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Calling All Campers!-�How to plan your own camp

Step 1: Choose a theme

• Use a pre-made curriculum
• iRead
• CLiC
• Create a curriculum
• What is popular in your community?
• What is your budget?
• Who will lead it?

Suggested themes

Old Macdonald Had a Book

• Day 1: Chickens
• Day 2: Cows
• Day 3: Sheep
• Day 4: Pigs
• Day 5: Horses

Reading Can Take you Places

• Day 1: Cars
• Day 2: Planes
• Day 3: Trains
• Day 4: Rockets
• Day 5: Boats

The Great Reading Adventure

• Day 1: Camping
• Day 2: Under the sea
• Day 3: Outer Space
• Day 4: The past (dinosaurs)
• Day 5: Tiny world (bugs or miniatures)

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Step 2 – Plan the activities

• Choose sub-theme for each day.
• Example: Day 1 of our sample camp has a sub-theme of red.
• All crafts, snacks and activities follow this sub-theme
• Can plan simple activities or complex
• Simple = craft, board games, songs & rhymes
• Complex or in-depth = create a TV commercial, go on a scavenger hunt
• Things to remember
• Age of participants
• Budget
• Ability of participants

Step 3 – Choose the stories

• Recommend using picture books
1. Big kids like stories too
2. Inclusive and diverse
3. Wide variety
• How do I find books?
• Search locally
• Google search
• Goodreads

Step 3 – Choose the stories

• Purchase new titles, borrow from others, or use what you have
• Use a small portion of children’s collection budget
• Use titles you already own
• Order titles you need through ILL
• Ask patrons to donate specific titles for your program
• Things to keep in mind
• Do your stories fit your overall theme?
• Will your choices create unwanted controversy?
• What is the “expiration date” of your choices?

Other details

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• Helpers
• Volunteers, teachers, Friends, teens
• Background checks?
• Snacks
• Allergen friendly
• Weather
• Safety first
• Contact information for parents
• Venue
• Bathrooms?
• Cost?

Step 4 – Find funding

1. Programming budget
2. Minimize supplies cost
3. Donations
4. Sponsors
5. Grants

Step 5 – Advertising

• Schools
• Newspaper, Local TV, public radio
• Local churches and clubs
• Hand out fliers & Hang Posters
• Community calendar
• Ask Friends
• Window Display
• Newsletter, website, & social media

What do I do when?

• 1 Year before Camp
• Theme, dates, venue, permission, supplemental programming
• 9 Months before Camp
• Activities, stories, funding, find volunteers/helpers,
• 6 Months before Camp
• Supplies list, sponsors, Save the Date announcement, plan curriculum

What do I do when?

• 3 Months before camp
• Order supplies / Ask for donations of supplies
• Finalize curriculum
• Schedule paid advertising
• 1 Month before camp
• Start registering campers
• Advertise
• Confirm supplementary programming details
• Itemize supplies inventory – Make sure you have everything you need

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What do I do when?

• 2 Weeks before Camp
• Print off student lists
• Volunteer training
• 1 Week before Camp
• Organize supplies
• Print off curriculum sheets
• Make example crafts

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Questions? Contact me

Shelly Finzen

Tyler Public Library

PO Box L, 230 N Tyler St.

Tyler, MN 56178

(507) 247-5556,

press 1 for City Office departments and press 1 again for Library

tylerlib@plumcreeklibrary.net

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