Book it!

Summer is a busy time for students, between family vacations, playing with friends and unwinding from months of homework and studying, but there’s also plenty of down time in those three months and programs around the area are aiming to book those hours for kids.

Summer reading programs are slated to begin throughout the Mission Valley in the next couple of weeks and the word is spreading, as organizers hope to see as many faces as possible.

“We’re trying to encourage reading throughout the summer so kids don’t lose their reading skills when they go back to school in the fall,” said Andrea Brister, Arlee Elementary School teacher and first-year supervisor for the summer reading program in Arlee.

While attendance over the last few years hasn’t been as high throughout as the program would hope, the Jocko Valley Library is implementing new facets to peak student interest.

Participants who read earn a stamp for every 15 minutes they’re glued to a book and can win various monthly prizes. Those who read the most over the duration of the program in three age categories can win a year-long pass to Splash Montana and the opportunities for prizes are just one of many reasons to be a part of the reading program.

“There hasn’t been much involvement, but my goal is to have more students come as the summer goes on by doing fun activities, including snacks, read-alouds, crafts and inviting special guests,” Brister said.

The theme of the programs around the area is “Dream Big – READ!” and some of the activities include programs on dreams and wishes, nocturnal animals, the moon and stars and more.

The program in Arlee runs from June 12 to August 21 with events on Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and culminates with a cookout, certificiate and awards on Saturday, August 25.

For the avid readers in Polson, its summer reading program, featuring incentives for readers, gets under way on Monday, June 11 at 11 a.m. and school-aged children will have a program on Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the North Lake County Public Library. The library will feature events, including “Dragon Dreams” on Friday, June 22 and a drawing for prizes for readers on Thursday August 16.

For a detailed monthly schedule of events and more information in Arlee, visit www.arlee.montana.org and click onto the Jocko Valley Library or call the library at 726-3572. For questions about Polson’s events, call 883-8225 or stop by the circulation desk.