Teen Summer Adventure 2023

You have summer reading assignments for school. Why not have fun doing them? Or maybe you just want to avoid summer slide; you know that part where you lose up to 1 month of learning from last year. Do you really want to start this school year 1 month behind where you left it last year? You’ve worked too hard for that! Reading engages your brain so all that stuff you worked hard to learn doesn’t slide out. We’ve made reading fun! (And you get prizes for doing it – BONUS!)

The teen summer adventures is for teens entering grades 5 – 12 or recent graduates. Younger siblings can join our Children’s Summer Reading Program and parents are invited to join the Adult Summer Reading Program.

How do I Read, Know and Grow?

Sign-up either entirely in person or entirely online, not both. Registration begins June 1st and continues through August 7th. Logging begins June 26th and continues through August 11th.

To sign-up in person, visit the Young Adult (YA) reference desk at Newport Public Library (NPL) for a paper points tracker and a finger bug.
OR
Sign-up on-line via Beanstack, we can help in person or via phone if you need us or you can use this instructional PDF. You will be logging actions and “turning in” forms online, via Beanstack, this year. You will get an e-badge for registering, but are still welcome to collect a finger bug the next time you visit the library.

Complete any of the 12 “for points actions”. Log them on your grid or online. Actions can be completed as many times as you wish. Each action earns you 1 point. “For points actions” include:

1. Read a book or magazine to yourself or someone else (your dog counts) for 20 minutes.
2. Review a book you’ve read: e-review or print PDF to turn into the YA or Children’s reference desks.
3. Read a RITBA book. Come see our display in YA or check out this list.
4. Attend a library program. All programs, except the gaming tournament will begin at 4:30 so you have time to get here after camp. See “Stuff to Do” for our schedule.
5. Download a book from e-Zone or Hoopla. Call or visit a librarian for assistance if you need it.
6. Listen to an audiobook for 20 minutes.
   Audiobooks are available to download from e-Zone or in the library on CD or playaway.
7. Walk, visit or plant a garden. The local mansions have some beautiful gardens and landscaping as does Roger William’s Park.
   The library has many books on gardening.
8. Do an activity related to a book you’re reading (or just finished) and write about the experience.
   For example, if you are reading Starry Eyes, go outside at night and find as many constellations as you can. Then fill out an e-submission or print PDF describing your experience. Paper copies can be turned into the YA or Children’s reference desks.
9. Review your favorite, or least favorite, App: e-review or print PDF. Paper copies can be turned into the YA or Children’s reference desks.
10. Compete with your friends on our PS4.
11. Follow us on TikTok or subscribe to our YouTube channel.
12. Leave a positive message on our chalk columns (chalk is available at the YA reference desk).

The beauty of this Challenge is that you can get multiple points for a single activity. For example, if you read a book from the RITBA list to your dog for 20 minutes, that’s 2 actions. You get 2 points: 1 for reading aloud to someone else and 1 for reading a RITBA book. Go you!

You can also get multiple points in one sitting. If you curl up in the yard and read for an hour, that’s 3 points because there are 3 20-minutes sessions in one hour.

For every 5 points earned you finish 1 level and a great prize from your friendly YA librarians.
Prizes can be picked up at your convenience, but no later than September 2, at the YA or Children’s reference desks. Teens participating online will earn e-badges and are invited to pick up level prizes if they wish to.

• 5 points – Custom designed buttons from our Teen Advisory Board
• 10 points – $10 Gift Card donated by Ben & Jerry’s
• 15 points – Colorful drinking tumblers
• 20 points – Glow in the dark “squishes”
• 25 points – Newport Gulls tee donated by Newport Gulls Ltd. OR a $10 gift card from Game Stop.

What Can I Read?

Anything at your reading level!
Ms. Becky and Ms. Lindsey are happy to help you determine your “just right reading level” and find books for you to enjoy if you’re feeling a bit lost.  Just visit the YA desk, call extension 206 or fill out this personalized reading list request. If you’d rather find books yourself but need a little help getting started, they can give you tips and tricks for that too!

• Print and electronic books  – 3 magazines can be used in place of 1 book
• Graphic Novels
• Unabridged Audiobooks – available in playaway, CD and electronic formats from your library
  • All summer long, AudioFile offers 2 free audiobooks each week for you to download and OWN; now through August 2nd.
• Sorry, but movies based on books do not count.  They’re still fun to watch though 🙂

Ways to Grow

All activities will begin at 4:30pm, unless otherwise noted (see gaming tournament information).

Tuesday, June 27th – Mixing Bowl Mushrooms

Mixing bowls are great for making snacks, but did you know they also make great mushrooms? Create your own colorful, oversized mushrooms with logs “from the wild” and colorful mixing bowls.

All supplies are provided. Registration is requested to help guide supply purchases.  Walk-ins welcome as supplies allow.

Thursday, June 29th – Clay Pot Garden Gnomes

Create your own colorful, oversized garden gnomes using clay planting pots.

All supplies are provided. Registration is requested to help guide supply purchases. Walk-ins welcome as supplies allow.

Monday, July 3rd – Terrarium Building

Create your own “garden in a jar”.

All supplies are provided. Registration is requested to help guide supply purchases. Walk-ins welcome as supplies allow.

Tuesday, July 4th – the Library is Closed for Independence Day
You can work on your “for points” activities 🙂

Thursday, July 6th – Succulents in a Log

Plant your very own succulent garden in the hollows of ceramic logs to provide spring time cheer year round.

All supplies are provided. Registration is requested to help guide supply purchases. Walk-ins will be accommodated as supplies allow.

Tuesday, July 11th – Rain Chains for Natural Irrigation

Rain chains are hand crafted “chains” to funnel water where you want it or make down spouts “pretty”. We will be using wire and colorful stones to fashion our own.

Registration is requested to help guide supply purchases. Walk-ins will be accommodated as supplies allow.

Thursday, July 13th – Movie, the Live Action version of Alice in Wonderland

Alice, now 19 years old, returns to the whimsical world she first entered as a child and embarks on a journey to discover her true destiny.

Tuesday, July 18th – Painting with The Art Sherpa

The Art Sherpa Experience – Learn to paint with Acrylics Step by Step with The Art Sherpa. Begin YOUR art Journey today by finding the perfect acrylic painting on canvas to follow along with. Video episodes will be streamed.

All supplies are provided. Registration is requested to help guide supply purchases. Walk-ins welcome as supplies allow.

Thursday, July 20th – Live Angry Birds

You asked for it, you got it. One of our most popular events from last summer is back!  Live Angry Birds!
Grab your friends and meet Ms. Becky in the park beside the library. Warm up your throwing arm because you are the slingshot and those birds are angry!

Tuesday, July 25th – Gnome Home Construction

Build gnome homes with our ice cream cups! We’ll vote on “most gnome like,” sturdiest, which one fits the most people and more! Bring your friends and have some fun building them up and knocking them down.

Thursday, July 27th – Citronella Candles

Keep those pesky mosquitos away with citronella candles you design yourself.

Supplies provided.  Registration is requested so we can purchase appropriate amounts. Walk-ins welcome as supplies allow.

Tuesday, August 1st – Henna with Heather

Henna is a dye prepared from the plant Lawsonia Inermis.  It is used to stain the skin creating temporary body art. After henna stains reach their peak color, they hold for a few days, then gradually wear off by way of exfoliation, typically within one to three weeks.

A permission slip signed by your legal guardian and registration are required to participate. We are limited to 15 participants to ensure everyone gets “henna-ed”. Walk-ins will be accommodated only as space and time allows.

Thursday, August 3rd – Mario Kart 8 Gaming Tournament, 3:30pm – 4:30pm

The tournament will be facilitated by One Up Games.  All necessary equipment will be provided. This will be a double elimination tournament with randomized brackets and time for friendly play before and after.  There will be prizes of gaming gift cards for top winners.

Registration is requested so we will know how many to plan for and so Brian or Peter can set up the brackets in advance. We will accommodate walk-ins as is possible.

Tuesday, August 8th – Movie, Spirited Away

When Chihiro’s parents are mysteriously transformed, she must call upon courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world.

Thursday, August 10 – Serving Spoon Garden Markers

Use wooden spoons to create beautiful garden markers identifying fruits, vegetables and flowers or just saying “hello”.

All supplies are provided.  Registration is requested to help guide supply purchases.  Walk-ins welcome as supplies allow.

Monday, August 14th, SRP has ended, but just FYI
The library will be closed for Victory Day, but  e-Zone and Hoopla are always open. Enjoy the beach!

Movies and Shows to Watch

Click movie or show title to see the trailer (when available).  All titles can be borrowed from RI public libraries.

The (not so) Fine Print

We would like to thank the Friends of Newport Public Library for their generous donation providing for both outside performers: One Up Games Super Smash Gaming Tournament and Henna by Heather.

We also wish to thank generous local prize donors: Ben & Jerry’s and the Newport Gulls.