Calling all school-aged children! You’re invited to get onboard with the upcoming Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge.
The annual challenge encourages school-age children to read during the summer school holidays, using an online program called Beanstack where participants can record the books they’ve read.
The council is launching this year’s challenge from Tuesday 14 December with free launch parties at Onkaparinga’s six libraries—Aldinga, Hub, Noarlunga, Seaford, Willunga and Woodcroft—and you’re invited.
Come along, get inspired to take up the challenge and take part in fun activities such as animal experiences, Lego and comic-book making! Register via Eventbrite. For children aged 4+.
There are multiple prizes to be won in this year’s challenge. If you register and read five books, you’ll go into the draw to win a family membership for Zoos SA. If you complete the Amazing Race (visit all six libraries) you could win a family pass for Wallis Cinemas. If you read book from the mayor’s topic list—green, superheroes or First Nations—you could win a $50 voucher for QBD Books!
At the end of the summer holidays on Wednesday 24 January (4–7pm), you’ll be invited to a finale party at Aldinga Library including a BBQ and lots of fun activities. The mayor will also attend to present participants with certificates, and each child that completes the challenge will get to choose a book to keep.
Onkaparinga Libraries has hosted the reading challenge each year in December since 1999. Each year we average around 200-250 kids that join the challenge. Last year we had 217 participants with 87 completing the challenge. There were 882 books read, 180 books read from the mayor’s topic list, and 48 participants completed the Amazing Race!
Last year the mayor asked all the kids at the finale party to bring a friend this year because she wants the libraries to double their numbers—the challenge has been set!
To register, visit onkaparingacity.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack app.