Summer Program 2025

Get ready for another awesome year of free summer programming and reading tracking! This year's sessions will take place in the Library's upstairs program room. Our popular reading tracking program is also continuing this year with opportunities to win awesome prizes for reaching reading goals, chances to win our weekly prizes and even a grand prize!

Check out the information below to learn more about the 2025 Summer Program. Print copies of our informational brochure are available for pickup at the Library. Feel free to download the brochure for at home printing.

We recommend you sign up for our newsletter subscription list so you never miss a sign up date and receive updates about the program. If you have questions, concerns, or feedback, feel free to email us at summerreading@stmaryspubliclibrary.ca.

Purpose of the Summer Program

The St. Marys Public Library strives to ignite curiosity and foster creativity in children, celebrating their achievements along the way. That is why we are committed to offering a summer program that promotes reading, literacy, and engaging educational activities, aiming to make learning a joyful adventure.

By offering games, crafts, and playful activities, the program offers children a valuable chance to learn and enhance crucial skills in an enjoyable and relaxed setting. Moreover, it enables preschoolers to participate in activities aimed at fostering literacy, physical development, and sensory abilities, laying a robust groundwork for their future growth.

Weekly In-Person Sessions

Each week, a variety of programs will take place in-person at the Library.

Find out more about each program by opening the tabs below.

Weekly programs, with the exception of Reading Help and Funday Friday events, do not require pre-registration and are run on a drop-in basis. Funday Fridays and Reading Help DO require registration.

Crafty Kids

Mondays, 10:30am-12:00pm

A fun, hands-on crafting program where children can explore their creativity each week with a new themed project to take home. Each craft is inspired by that week’s summer theme!

Sessions will run for 1.5 hours. The recommended age for this program is 7+. 20 participants maximum.

Discovery Den

Tuesdays, 1:30pm-3:00pm

Join us for a program that is dedicated to exploring various topics and answering questions that you have always been curious about. Through engaging hands-on STEM activities and inquiry-based learning, we will delve into children generated based inquiries and more!

The recommended age is 7+, children under 7 are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. 20 participants max.

SMPL Adventure Zone

Mondays, 1:30pm-3:00pm

This drop-in program invites kids to explore, create, and play in an unstructured environment filled with themed challenges, games, and activities that change each week. Come and go as you like—there’s always something new to discover!

The recommended age is school age+ but children under 7 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Reading Help

Tuesdays, 10:30am-12pm, Wednesdays, 1:30pm-3pm

Looking to build your child’s confidence with reading and language? Book a free 30-minute session with Allie, our Summer Program Coordinator, for personalized support focused on boosting vocabulary, comprehension, and literacy skills. These one-on-one sessions are tailored to school-age children and are available by appointment only—bookings open one week in advance. This is not a drop-in program.

To book your 30 minute session each week, register here: tinyurl.com/SMPL-Summer-Program

Summer Book Club

Wednesdays, 10am-11am

Dive into an action-packed story each week and then enjoy a movie screening to compare the book and the film. Join us for fun discussions and exciting adventures on and off the page!

Recommended age is 7+.

Funday Fridays

Watch for our free special events, guests, and more. Call the Library, visit the link below or pick up a detailed calendar at the Library to find out what, when and where events are being held.

Registration is required and will take place on our Booking Site

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Library at 519-284-3346 and ask for Allie or email summerreading@stmaryspubliclibrary.ca

Summer Program Reading Challenge (Reading Tracking)

The Library’s Summer Reading Challenge is all about keeping kids excited about reading while school’s out. With their very own Adventure Book to guide them, kids will set goals, track their reading, and earn badges along the way. This fun and engaging challenge encourages children to build their literacy skills all summer long, with surprises and rewards to keep them motivated! Pick up your Adventure Guide reading tracker at the Library!

Badges

As kids complete reading goals in their Adventure Book, they’ll earn badges to colour in and collect. Some badges unlock a surprise prize—kids will get to choose from the mystery prize bag to see what they’ve won!

Milestone Prizes:

The more they read, the more rewards they earn!

Juniors (K–Gr. 3): 5, 10, 15 & 20 hours
Seniors (Gr. 4–6): 10, 20, 30 & 50 hours

Each milestone unlocks a prize bag filled with local gift cards and fun surprises!

Grand Prizes

Kids earn tickets by logging their reading—the more they read, the more chances they have to win!

Exciting prizes include:

LEGO Friends Adventure Set
Polaroid Camera with Adventure Kit

Frequently Asked Questions

How does registration work?

There is no registration required for regular weekly sessions.

Registration is required for Reading Help appointments and Funday Friday events.

Participants can sign up for reading help appointments or Funday Friday events by visiting our Booking page. Registration for both Reading Help and Funday Friday events opens 7 days before appointment times or events.

For a list of events and to sign up, visit our booking page.

How old do children have to be to attend?

All programs offered throughout the summer are aimed toward children 7+. However, children under 7 are welcome to attend as long as they are accompanied by a caregiver who is at least 12 years of age.

How can I stay updated on what's happening?

Throughout the summer, we keep in touch with families by sending regular email updates with information about the what, where, and when of the summer program. Sign up here. Select "Summer Program 2025" and any other newsletter lists you may be interested in and enter your information. Contact the Library if you run into any issues.

Where does the summer program take place?

This summer, most sessions and events will run out of the Library. Some events will take place at the Town Hall Auditorium. There will be directional signage to guide participants to the Auditorium. If any events are taking place off-site, participants will receive lots of notice.

Is there a cost to attend the program?

This is a completely free program thanks to the sponsorship of the Friends of the Library. We are grateful to accept monetary donations and a donation jar is available at each program. Donations are also welcomed at the Library anytime during open hours. Any donations collected will be directed to the Friends of the Library to support future Library collections, programs, and services.

Summer BBQ Celebration

Our BBQ celebration is back! Join us on July 23rd for a fun filled afternoon with games, food, balloon animals, music, and more! More details to be announced.

Other Summer 2025 Events

The Library is also hosting and a part of many other events over the summer.

Don't forget about our Outdoor Movies in Cadzow Park presented by the Friends of the Library. We will be showing free outdoor movies all summer long! Check out more on our event page.

Call the library at 519-284-3346 or email libraryinfo@stmaryspubliclibrary.ca for more information!