Our Readin’ Rodeo summer challenge is saddled up and ready to ride! Some of you know exactly what we’re talking about and you’re ready to go (yee-haw!). If you don’t know what we’re talking about, keep reading so you don’t miss the fun.

OK, what’s a library challenge?

We combine reading and activity goals, appropriate for each age, and challenge you to complete them. Deceptively simple, quite fun, and you can get rewards and prizes for doing it.

Why would I do that?

Adults, it’s your chance to track reading achievements this summer and maybe win fun prizes along the way. Also, your kids will think it’s fun. You’ll want them to do it because the challenge helps kiddos avoid the summer slide.

Summer Slide?

Haven’t heard of it? It’s a real phenomenon that happens during the freewheeling summer months when school is out.  Kids can lose a lot of the gains they made in school if they don’t keep reading and learning during summer. So the summer challenge is super helpful for your school-age kiddos. More than that, we make it fun. It’s us, not you, challenging them. Yes, part of it is reading, but unlike school, it’s reading that can be any subject, done anywhere, and has very few rules around it. Reading counts if it’s you reading them a book at night. It counts if they read a comic or graphic novel or whatever book appeals to them. It also counts to listen to a book (yes, audiobooks are actually reading).

Activities & events count, too

Even better, we add in a choice of fun activities like visiting Dix Park and the Story Trail or coming to a library event. Still skeptical? Bring the kiddos for a visit and let them check out the cool prizes they can win for some extra motivation (prizes go on display starting June 1).  Adults can also win prizes, so sign yourself up first. Chances are really good that if they see YOU doing the challenge, they will want to do it, too.

It’s free to enroll, free to participate, and you can manage everyone’s activity and progress in one place. The Beanstack app makes it easy so you can concentrate on the fun part. Right away, just for signing up, kids will get Ohio State Fair vouchers and adults get vouchers for $10 off at Ohio State Parks. While they last, you can also pick up a cool sticker.

Start it off at Rodeo Night

The Readin’ Rodeo Challenge starts June 3^rd. We’ll kick off the summer fun on June 7th with Rodeo Night at Ravenna City Park. Round up the whole family for our free, fun-for-all-ages event. Visit the Barnyard Petting Zoo, make a craft, watch square dancing demonstrations and maybe take a do-si-do or try a line dance yourself! Let the kids mine for gems, go on a hayride, and take some group pictures at our photo booth. Kids up to age 17 will get a free snow cone (while they last) and you can buy tasty bites from the food trucks if you get hungry. We’ve partnered with Ravenna Parks & Recreation for our 3rd year hosting this event and it only gets better each year.

Two things to do right now: First, register for the Summer Challenge – sign up everyone in your household. Second, set aside Friday, June 7, 5-8pm on your calendar for Rodeo Night. Are you up for the challenge?