More than 100 Free Activities Reinforce Reading Skills and School Readiness
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 1 , 2016 – When school’s out for summer, EPIC Summer adventures begin at the Jacksonville Public Library. Starting June 1, sign up the kids for fun, games, prizes and awesome activities. The summer program is designed to prevent “summer slide” by helping students develop and maintain literacy skills over summer break, ensuring they are better prepared when they return to school in the fall.
Children and teens who read and log books can earn a free book and prizes. Students entering kindergarten in the 2016 – 2017 school year can join the JaxKids Book Club and take home a free backpack filled with books, a door hanger and Pete the Dog character.
Teens may enter the short story contest to vie for a $100 prize, and read for a chance to win an iPad mini. Adults will enjoy a variety of EPIC Summer programs and be entered to win an iPad mini.
Pick up an EPIC Summer program guide at any Jacksonville Public Library or go to jaxpubliclibrary.org/summerlearning. Beginning June 1, you may sign up online or at any library. Activities and kickoff parties vary at each library location. Call 630-2665 for information.
On Your Mark, Get Set… Read! – For Children from Birth – 12
Kids from birth – age 5 can enjoy stories, books, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, songs and activities that encourage language development, vocabulary building and comprehension. Ages 5 to 12 can take part in numerous programs including:
- Barry Hinnant Fun-tastic Magic – When reading and magic combine, it’s fun-tastic. More than a dozen on-stage volunteers assist in taking magical journeys with books.
- Curious Moon Puppet Show: Animal Olympics – Skeeter has been training for the Olympics and Riki Rabbit aims to carry the Olympic torch. Kids and adults will love this interactive puppet show.
- Balloons R4 Twisting: Everyone gets to twist a balloon creation that children can take home.
Jacksonville Zoo: Zoofari Outreach – Young scientists will get a close up view of live animals from the Jacksonville Zoo while learning about the animals’ biology and habitats.
Get in the Game! Read! – Teens Ages 12 – 18
- Art with Anthony – Local commercial artist Rooney will share his art and tell how he turned his passion into a career. Take a guided drawing lesson; you’ll have a piece of art to take home.
- Mad Cowford Presents: Intro to Improv – Learn the fundamentals of improvisation by concentrating on the building blocks of spontaneous comedy.
- Jazz It Up – Join members of the Jacksonville based band, Noteworthy, for an interactive concert featuring jazz versions of some of your favorite songs.
- Espora Presents Capoeira – This Afro-Brazilian martial art combines self-defense, dance and music. Learn basic movements, some Portuguese, capoeira songs and information about Brazil.
Exercise Your Mind: Read! – Adults
- Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit – Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers.
- The Trial of Lt. Flipper – The 1881 court-martial of the first African-American graduate of West Point presented by Bob Rogers.
- Stage Aurora presents Harlem of the South – Based on the words, music, dance, and songs of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, James Weldon Johnson, and Cab Calloway.
- Adult Coloring – Take part in the latest craze—coloring for adults.
The Jacksonville Public Library is committed to making its programs accessible to all persons. For special accommodations, please call at least 72 hours prior to the event. For library events, call 630-2665 (TTY 630-1999).
About the Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.4 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 5.9 million times, and nearly 11,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.
