Summer reading club for Valley kids
Kids everywhere are being invited to visit their local library to read, build, craft and create some fun at this year’s Summer Reading Club. The theme for 2015, Build It, encourages children ages 0-12 to visit their local library branch this summer to help them build their reading skills.
Registration is free at your local branch or by visiting virl.bc.ca/kids. Summer Reading Club officially kicks off on July 2 and runs until Aug. 22.
Children registered receive a free Summer Reading Club package with goodies including a reading record, a bookmark, a VIRL tattoo, stickers and a tape measure. Every time a child (or guardian) fills in seven lines of their reading record, they are entered into a weekly prize draw. Readers who finish their reading record will be eligible to receive a special Summer Reading Club medal and be entered into a grand prize draw.
This summer at Vancouver Island Regional Library, the Summer Reading Club also coincides with a new program offered by the library called Read Down Your Fines. Children participating in Summer Reading Club will have the opportunity to remove any fines they may have by reading them down. For every reading record page a child completes during Summer Reading Club, they are eligible to have up to $5 in fines (up to $35 total) removed from their library card. The Read Down Your Fines program was approved by the board of trustees in 2014 as another way to encourage children to visit their library and continue reading.
Storytime opens pages at Kin Park
What do you get when you take good books, kids, soil and seeds and mix them together? Storytime at the KinPark Youth Urban Farm.
For the third summer in a row, the Vancouver Island Regional Library and the KinPark Youth Urban Farm are teaming together to host a free children’s storytime at the park geared for 0-5 year olds (all ages are welcome however).
This program is part of the library’s Summer Reading Club whereby kids receive a special kit to keep track of their reading and are awarded a collectible medal if they complete their reading log.
For six Tuesdays starting July 7, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., storytime starts with a fun story in the shade of the trees followed by a garden-themed activity for little ones such as planting seeds, learning about worms, or a garden scavenger hunt. Sampling of the urban farm’s berry patch will most definitely be allowed.
To learn more about this free program, please contact Nariel Davis at the Cowichan Library at 250-746-7661, visit the VIRL website at: www.virl. bc.ca or visit www.cowichangreencommunity. org.
KinPark is located at 5789 Alderlea St. between James Street and Queens Road.
Free StrongStart program in Duncan
A free, drop-in StrongStart program will be available in Duncan’s Centennial Park again this summer, thanks to a collaboration between the Cowichan Valley School District and Parkside Academy.
Families and caregivers can enjoy the program Tuesdays to Fridays, from 9 a.m. to noon starting July 2 and continuing until Aug. 21.
Strongstart is an early learning program for preschool-aged children who are accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
A qualified early childhood educator leads activities, including stories, music, art and crafts to help children grow socially, in language development, and literacy.
This summer, children and families are invited to the park’s picnic area to play, learn, discover and have fun.
It’s also a great chance to get the kids outside to connect with nature in a well-equipped local park that’s right on the edge of downtown.
"We are so happy to offer quality early learning activities for families in such a community oriented park," Parkside director Adriana Soler said. "We are excited to engage in play amongst the natural environment and really get to know our community and the wonders this great green space can offer."
Introduce a friend to your market
Locals can introduce friends to the Duncan and Chemainus markets and win prizes in the process.
July is Meet My Market month, put on by the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. Participants can bring a friend to their local market and enter to win a grand prize giveaway through social media, or in person at the market.
"There’s no doubt that people in B.C. are passionate supporters of their local farmers’ markets. With Meet My Market month, we’re encouraging our loyal visitors to introduce a friend to their market – and to show off the beautiful in season foods, and the great neighbourhood experience they love," said Elizabeth Quinn, executive director at the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets.
The event runs until July 31.
