To children the end of the school year means just that, the end. Time for fun is at hand; summer camp, vacations, amusement parks, sleeping in late, staying up late and best of all – no homework. For parents, summer planning starts long before school is out. Day camps, vacation plans, how to keep the all too familiar phrase “I’m bored” at bay. Yes, I remember it all too well. For my family, regardless of an erratic summer schedule, there was one activity that stayed constant. Summer reading.
This was, at times, an adventurous activity, traveling with two small children, a stroller, tote of snacks, drinks, wipes, and multitude of items to cover any possible need or emergency and it also took the better part of a day.
Our day started early, taking two buses to the main library. Once there, we engaged ourselves in activities the library had planned and read a few select books. As the time to board the bus to return home grew near, we gathered the books that were to go with us. Ah, what a thrill it was to choose from hundreds of books, there were so many we wanted to take. Fortunately, there was a limit of titles one can take and just so many we could pack into the stroller.
The summers to come, our lives changed with the addition of a second car, move to a new house, then a new city and many more choices for summer fun. But the one thing that never changed was our own summer reading program. Naturally, the reading time decreased as the freedom that comes with age increased, the social life becomes more attractive and then the summer job. Despite all that there was do, “there’s nothing to do” was a constant phrase. At those times, a book was always at hand.
This particular summer activity gave us something to do at low cost and provided fond memories. We visited strange lands, met curious characters and increased our knowledge of dinosaurs without ever leaving our yard. Most importantly, in return for a bus fee my son’s reading levels went up and gave them a tremendous jump-start for the new school year. As you are making up your list of things to do for the summer, add a visit to the library. Who knows, it could be the start of a great tradition.