Does your child long for the end of school, only to moan, "I'm bored!" the very next week? If so, the library at the Ruby C. Hunt YMCA (RCHYMCA) has a solution for you: the 2018 summer reading program.
This year's six-week session is titled "Libraries Rock!" and is open to preschool and school-aged children.
"We invite families to participate in storytimes, crafts, special programs and storywalk events," says Karen Bell, media specialist at the RCHYMCA library. "By providing a variety of ways to learn through educational experiences and hands-on activities, we try to give children a fun reason to love reading and encourage them to continue to read throughout the summer and ultimately their lives."
The program kick-off will be a live performance of "The Dancing Fleas," a local ukulele/kazoo band, which will be held Thursday, June 14, 2018, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the RCHYMCA library. This kick-off performance will be for all children, both preschool and school-aged. Summer reading participants will be given a kazoo to help create "kazoo-mania."
Weekly preschool events will then be held each Tuesday for children aged 2-5 from 10-11:30 a.m.
"The children will participate in a variety of hands-on activities that will allow them to explore topics that young children are naturally curious about," says Bell.
Older children (ages 6-11), will meet each Thursday at the library to engage in activities that will seek to spark their imaginations and ignite a love of reading.
All children (preschool and school-aged) and families are invited to participate in a theatrical performance of "Rapunzel" by Pork Chop Productions Company on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. The live performance will be held at Boiling Springs Baptist Church, 307 S. Main Street, Shelby.
The B-Rad Magical "Libraries Rock" Show will be the final 2018 summer reading program event. It is planned for Thursday, July 19, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. in the RCHYMCA library.
While registration for the summer reading programs is required, the cost is free. Registration will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2018, and Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at the RCHYMCA library, located at 1322 Patrick Ave., Shelby. Registration hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
For more information, visit www.clevecoymca.org, search for "Library at Ruby C. Hunt YMCA," or call the library at 704-669-3648.

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Community First Media