Launch Party for LCLibrary’s Summer Reading Challenge at Victoria Park, Petrolia

Wyoming, ON— Lambton County Library's annual Summer Reading Challenge is set to launch on Saturday, June 20, with a free event at Victoria Park in Petrolia from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This year's theme, "Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead," celebrates science, technology, engineering, art, and math with themed activities and programs for all ages.

The annual Summer Reading Challenge encourages children, teens, and adults to stay active readers during the summer months while exploring creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning through free activities and events offered by the library.

Families are invited to kick off the summer together with a morning of inflatables, face painting and glitter tattoos, live bubble science demonstrations, fire truck and OPP police cruiser tours, and opportunities to explore this year’s S.T.E.A.M. inspired theme. Attendees can be among the first to register for the Summer Reading Challenge and learn more about the free programs and events taking place at Lambton County Library locations across the county this summer.

Youth aged 0-17 who register for the Summer Reading Challenge will receive a free Summer Science Kit upon registration while supplies last.  Kits include sun printing activities, a robot mask, stickers, and more. Participants who register at the launch party will also be entered into a draw to win a BeaverBot cardboard cutter.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at Greenwood Arena. Any venue changes due to weather will be announced on the Library's Facebook page, @LCLibraryCA, and website, LCLibrary.ca.

“We’re encouraging every member of the family to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge so that together or independently, you can read books, complete activities, and earn badges for a chance to win great prizes,” said Vanitia Campbell, Public Services Coordinator, Youth Programs & Outreach “Not only does the challenge offer free fun activities, but it also helps youth build and retain academic skills outside the classroom.”

About the Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge is free to join and open to everyone; a Lambton County Library card is not required. Following the launch on June 20, the challenge officially runs from Monday, June 29, to Friday, August 14. Participants can register at any Lambton County Library location or online through Beanstack, a digital platform available on both desktops and mobile devices. Beanstack allows participants to track their progress, earn badges, and qualify for prize draws. Printed trackers to log reading are also available for those who prefer offline participation.

Chances to win unique prizes are available for kids, teens, and adults, including Tourism Sarnia-Lambton gift cards, Yoto players, Kodak instant cameras, and wireless Bluetooth headphones. Additionally, kids and teens can earn French or English books for their personal collections by achieving certain reading milestones.

Programs & Events
Starting in July, all Lambton County Library locations will host weekly themed programs. For complete event details, please visit the online event calendar. This year’s special events include the "Mousetrap! How to Catch a Mouse with Simple Machines" show, programs with Pinery Park Naturalists, food science programs with Kombucha Hound, Jiak, and Cedarview Farm Bakery, as well as a stargazing event at the Oil Museum of Canada National Historic Site.

For more information about Lambton County Library's Summer Reading Challenge, including contest and prize descriptions, reading suggestions and a full calendar of events, visit LCLibrary.ca/SRC and follow Lambton County Library @LCLibraryCA on Facebook.

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Please contact:

Vanitia Campbell
Public Services Coordinator: Youth Programs & Outreach,
Lambton County Library
County of Lambton
519-845-3324 ext. 5237
Email Vanitia Campbell