Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
For thousands of children across Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Summer Reading was about more than books. It was a chance to keep learning, stay connected, build confidence, and return to school ready to succeed.
This summer, 32,628 young people participated in Camp Read, the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library's Summer Reading program, an 8.79% increase over last year!
Summer can be a challenging time for families when school-based meals and learning support systems aren't available. Through Camp Read and other Library services, CHPL helped fill that gap. In partnership with UMC Food Ministries, the Library served more than 10,000 meals and snacks and provided educational support to more than 2,000 youth through Homework Help.
"During our Summer Reading evaluation process, we've noticed that youth who participate demonstrate improved literacy skills, but they're practicing social emotional skills and learning to understand the value and benefits of building a reading habit," said Emily Griffis, youth programs coordinator.
Emily said that part of the process was asking kids what their favorite part of Summer Reading was. One responded by writing: "Summer Reading helps my reading get better and it helps my brain get ready for school. It helps me understand bigger words."
Kids were also asked to share something they learned from a book this summer; here are just a few of their responses:
- How a compass works
- "Beauty is from the inside out"
- “To love my family even more and to be confident in me“
- About animals and what they eat: giraffes, fish, polar bears, cougars, fireflies, bears, elephants, squid, killer whales, and beetles
- “You can dream big and accomplish anything”
- How to do a science experiment
- Weather & rainbows
- Emotions, caring for others, kindness
- “In a soccer book, I learned to persevere in the game”
During Camp Read, the Library offered dozens of events for kids to learn about nature, including visiting with animals from Honey Hills Farm, Great Parks, and Raptor, Inc. Other activities included creating bug hotels for native pollinators to call home and making their own wind chimes.
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45c780b9-d225-40c1-a1d6-a9e42f09a889Camp Read events ranged from crafts to scavenger hunts and more.
dd464184-fc7e-4052-9323-f9d95e84002cSummer fun included a foam party.
c24f5843-8c57-4fdb-b8f4-97ff26a6a4baChildren’s author Jacob Grant meeting young readers at a Library event.
b14e3739-4f7e-4333-aa05-412f22cbecffTeens filled out junk-journal style trackers for Camp Read.
af4e7f1d-6bb8-4e0f-a738-a460695788c3The Library saw several presenters from partner organizations, including Raptor, Inc. at the Loveland Branch.
3f55f1a5-c3e5-46ed-8a19-14811376b860Honey Hill Farm at the Wyoming Branch Library.
fa5e2a6d-ef1e-4e33-9790-2be37ca89f4eGreat Parks presenting at the Forest Park Branch.
31bc0bd9-e2c2-4a7a-91f1-d3b2e722e220Teens filled out junk-journal style trackers for Camp Read.
From baking with New Leaf Kitchen to Bubble Fest to performances by Madcap Puppets to magic shows by Cincinnati Circus to scavenger hunts to storytimes, and more, Camp Read was a blast thanks to the Library's dedicated staff, community partners, and customers from across Hamilton County.
Summer Reading has long been one of the Library's most important investments in youth success. The Library is how kids and teens engage in reading all Summer (and year) long. By providing free access to books, educational programming, meals, and learning support, CHPL helps ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, has opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive throughout the summer months.
Mackenzie Manley is currently reading "Yesteryear" by Caro Claire Burke.
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