CINCINNATI — Kids and teens across Hamilton County are invited to embark on Summer Reading - Reading on the River! at the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library (CHPL) beginning Saturday, May 31 through Thursday, July 31.
Summer Reading – Reading on the River! keeps kids and teens learning all summer to prevent the “summer slide” and ensure they’re ready for school. Designed to promote early literacy and aligned with the State of Ohio’s Science of Reading initiative, this year’s challenge encourages regular reading to build phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency—skills that often fade over summer break.
How the program works
Beginning May 31, kids and teens can visit any CHPL location to join the program and receive the following when signing up:
- A 25-day challenge board (kids 12 and under)
- A bingo challenge board (teens)
- A free book to keep, thanks to the support of generous sponsors
- A Cincinnati Reds voucher redeemable for two view-level tickets for select games (offer to participants while supplies last)
Kids and teens who return their completed board by July 31 will get to select a prize.
Summer Reading – Reading on the River! is made possible thanks to the generous support of The Library Foundation, the Friends of the Public Library, the Scripps Howard Fund, and additional sponsors.
More information about Summer Reading – Reading on the River! can be found at CHPL.org/summer.
New theme and challenges for kids and teens
This year's theme, Summer Reading – Reading on the River! celebrates Cincinnati's rich waterfront culture and will be highlighted through events across CHPL’s 41 locations for kids and teens to learn about local wildlife, steamboats and river transportation, water activities, and so much more!
For kids, a new challenge board is awaiting them to set sail through a hand-illustrated 25-day tracker visualized as a river journey. As kids read, discover, create, or explore, they will track their progress by coloring in sections of the river.
The teens challenge board is a BINGO sheet designed to encourage decision making, habit-building, and learning about the Library's resources.
Kids and teens who complete and return their initial Bingo Challenge or 25-Day Challenge to any Library location by July 16 will receive a bonus challenge, which can be completed to collect another prize by July 31.
More ways to enjoy Summer Reading – Reading on the River!
Thanks to the generous support of The Library Foundation, the Friends of the Public Library, the Scripps Howard Fund, and additional sponsors of Summer Reading – Reading on the River! there are even more ways to have fun while reading all summer long.
A Cincinnati Reds voucher redeemable for two view-level tickets for select games will be given to all kids and teens who sign up for Summer Reading – Reading on the River! (while supplies last.)
Gold Star Chili is partnering with the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library to present Gold Star Programs of the Week. Beginning the week of June 2, volunteers from Gold Star will be taking the reading, learning, and fun to the next level with take-and-makes, activities, and giveaways at 20 Summer Reading – Reading on the River! events.
"We’re excited to bring hands-on learning and creativity to kids and teens across Hamilton County through the Gold Star Programs of the Week," said Gold Star President and CEO Roger David. "Early literacy helps build brighter futures and lift spirits. We’re honored to be a part of that journey this summer at the Library.”
Kids and teens will have extra motivation to read all summer long as Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is providing achievement awards as mid-way prizes for Summer Reading – Reading on the River! challenges. Volunteers from Raising Cane’s will also be participating at select Summer Reading – Reading on the River! events to promote the importance of reading during the summer.
“We believe that early literacy programs like Summer Reading – Reading on the River! gives kids and teens a solid foundation for the future,” said Shane MacDonald, Area Leader of Restaurants, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. "We’re proud to help bring kids and teens together at the Library and cheer them on with our mid-way prizes that help keep them motivated and celebrating their progress.”
Summer meals
Select libraries across Hamilton County will also serve free summer meals Monday through Friday at various times. Visit CHPL.org/meals for dates, locations and serving times.
Thanks to these generous sponsors who support Summer Reading – Reading on the River!
For more information, call 513-369-6900 or visit CHPL.org/summer, which includes a complete donor list.
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