Join the Quest: Legendary Readers @ WCPL Starts 5/18 

Students all over Bowling Green and throughout Warren County are currently counting down the days until summer break, and we at Warren County Public Library are, too! Starting this month and continuing through June and July, library schedules will be packed with a host of engaging activities for kids of all ages, plus great programs for teenagers and adults! While our underlying goal is to help students avoid the potential “summer slide” that can come during a long break from school, our additional aim is to provide activities for everyone that generate excitement and fun, while encouraging reading and library interactions in the process!

This year’s Summer Reading Program theme – built around all things fantastic, mythical, and magical – is guaranteed to delight! Our 10-week “Legendary Readers” program will take participants on epic adventures and amazing quests beginning Monday, May 18. There are multiple ways to participate:

1. Complete a number of library and reading activities to fulfill the requirements of the summer activity log (aka reading log), in exchange for cool prizes and a chance to win something in the grand prize drawing. Kids can mark their milestones on a whimsical Epic Reading Quest map. Teens and adults can track their activities on a bookmark, picked up when they register at any library location, or they can log their activities online. Bookmarks can also be downloaded from the website (warrenpl.org/summer). 
2. Attend free library programs. Browse the calendar online and register for those that require registration or a ticket at warrenpl.org.
   1. While Summer Reading officially begins this month, the official Legendary Party kick-off at Ephram White Park is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, between 10am and 2pm.
   1. A ton of programs will be hosted at our library locations, as well as at off-site places, including the George Washington Carver Center and the Open Door Community Center.
   1. Additionally, in June and July, weekly outdoor storytime programs will take place at Lost River Cave on Mondays at 11am and at Fountain Square Park Tuesdays at 12 noon, right before the free family movies across the street at 12:30pm at the Capitol. 
3. Go to free movies at the Capitol. Check out the schedule at capitolbg.org/movies. Tickets are not required. Concessions will be available for purchase. 
4. Attend a THRIVE family camp, co-hosted with Warren County Parks & Recreation. At least one adult must accompany a child or group of children (no more than 10). Registration is required (warrenpl.org/camps). If camps fill up or you can’t attend all four days, you can still join the fun on these camp-themed events open to everyone at the Buchanon Park gym: 
   1. Bug Bonanza and Bug Parade: Thursday, June 11, 12-2:30pm. Celebrate all things creepy crawly with bug-themed activities that culminate into a big ol’ bug parade.
   1. Camp Half-Blood: Olympian Games: Thursday, June 25, 12-2:30pm. Divide into teams and compete in a variety of trials such as dodgeball, tug of war, capture the flag, toga making, and a hero’s quest. 
   1. Rocket Launch Party: Thursday, July 9, 12-2:30pm. Come see the work of the THRIVE Rocket Camp: rocket launches and science-themed fun for everyone.
   1. Block Party Day: Thursday, July 23, 12-2:30pm. Perfect for our Minecraft enthusiasts of all ages, the afternoon will feature a Science Guys presentation at 1pm – “Journeying to the Center of the Earth” – plus a castle inflatable and an animal petting zoo. 

NOTE: The Capitol is hosting several summer camps as well, but the ones for kids are already maxed out (excited folks were apparently glued to our online calendar listings!). There are, however, open spots for the Teen Theatre Intensives for drama enthusiasts ages 12-18. 

• Visit SOKY Center’s Summer Reading Farmers Market. In addition to opportunities to shop from local vendors – farmers, growers, makers, bakers, creators, and food trucks – the weekly Saturday markets will feature free activities for the kids, including character visits, between 8am and 12 noon. The market season runs Saturday, June 6, through Saturday, August 1 (minus July 4).   

We are very excited about all our summer activities, which would not be possible without the generous support of our title sponsor, Friends of the Library – Warren County. We would also like to thank additional sponsors, Warren Co Parks & Recreation and Graves Gilbert Clinic, as well as our community partners: Bowling Green Parks & Recreation, the George Washington Carver Center, Open Door Community Center, Pinnacle Bank, and Lost River Cave. 

As a reminder, to stay informed about all things WCPL, you can follow us on social media (@warrencountypl on Facebook, Instagram, and X), sign up for our online newsletter (tinyurl.com/WCPLNews), and browse all our scheduled activities via our online calendar of events (warrenpl.org/calendar). Hope to see you soon!

-by Ashley Fowlkes

Digital Content Manager