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For the first time, the San Mateo County Libraries has launched My Summer Adventure, a new summer learning program started in partnership with the San Mateo County Parks to encourage the community to learn under the sun.
From June 1 to Aug. 31, My Summer Adventure is hosting events everyday in libraries across the county. The SMCL has organized activities for all ages including crafting, guided hikes, sewing, magic shows, gardening and more.
Participants of the summer program are encouraged to log their summer adventures in a journal that can be picked up at your local library branch. Adventures can also be recorded in an online journal.
When adventures are logged, participants are entered into a raffle of various prizes that include San Francisco Giants tickets, Annual County Parks Passes, and a $1,000 scholarship for youth ages 0-18.
The new program creates an incentive for the community to go outside, learn and explore during the summer months, according to the library system.
My Summer Adventure is one way that the county libraries are working toward building equity for the community. This is part of a statewide library system called Building Equity Based Summers, which looks at “how to engage the community as a whole.”
“We decided to take it one step further and think about the fact that our communities learn in different ways and so we really encourage them to go out and have adventures this summer,” said Elise Staples, youth and family services manager.
The program allows participants to learn in their own backyards, while considering different learning styles, busy schedules and instances where individuals may lack transportation to the library. Events also vary to include opportunities for children, adults and families.
If participants are able to come back to the library, they can share their experiences with library staff and add an element of their adventure to the community wall. Staples said every community library has a different theme including beaches, gardens and trees. Participants can interact with the wall by bringing in flowers, seashells, leaves and other items found during their outdoor adventures.
Other events bring in education through STEAM (science, technology, art and math) events involving robots, crafting, 3D printing, LEGOs and math challenges.
“Even before My Summer Adventure, our emphasis has always been on learning and educational value because we know how important it is to keep everybody’s brain sharp by reading, learning and engaging (during the summer months),” said Staples.
SMCL’s partnership with the county parks system will allow children and adults to learn about the outdoors through Ranger Talks, gardening at Friendship Park in Redwood City, nature journaling at San Pedro Valley Park in Pacifica, birdwatching and more.
The new program also features artwork from local children’s book author and illustrator Shawn Harris, whose art can be found on the journals, stickers, tote bags and a special edition library card that can be won in a giveaway.
My Summer Adventure is a program that was reimagined from the Summer Learning Challenge, which is still ongoing at locations within the Peninsula Library System. System libraries include Atherton, East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, Portola Valley and Woodside.
More information on locations and events can be found at smcl.org/summer-adventure.
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