Summer Quest, Bucks County Free Library’s favorite time of the year, will return on Saturday, June 20, bringing with it six weeks of fun. Each year BCFL looks forward to seeing the families who participate in Summer Quest, and the busyness of branches as children stream in to watch performers and patrons pick up reading logs. Ultimately, staff enjoys bringing the Bucks County community together, and hearing what people are reading.
But this year, because of COVID-19, Summer Quest will be different. Participants can still create, explore, read and write, track reading minutes, earn limited-edition badges, and enjoy live performances together. But all of the fun will take place online so that everyone can stay safe.
Beanstack Reading Challenge for Kids, Teens and Adults
This year, the goal is for Bucks County to read 1 million minutes. You won’t need to use a reading log, as you’ll use Beanstack, an online reading site to track your minutes. You’ll be able to submit book reviews and mark off challenges you’ve completed to earn badges. You’ll also be able to check out the schedule of upcoming performances. Readers of all ages can use Beanstack on the web or via an app. Visit buckslib.org/summerquest for information on creating a Beanstack account and instructions for downloading the app.
Summer Quest Limited Edition Badges
As in past years, kids, teens and adults can earn badges by completing challenges that encourage users to explore, write and create. The 2020 badges are: Wondrous Wilderness, Bona Fide Fan, Once Upon a Time, Schooner or Later, Standing Ovation and Wandering Wordsmith. You’ll be able to complete the badge challenges at home.
To help kids with their Summer Quest challenges, BCFL has created easy-to-grab take-away Activity Bags. Parents can pick these up at their branch using the curbside pickup service. A different Activity Bag will be released each week of Summer Quest: Once Upon a Time (June 22-27), Bona Fide Fan (June 29-July 4), Wondrous Wilderness (July 6-11), Wandering Wordsmith (July 13-18), Schooner or Later (July 20-25) and Standing Ovation (July 27-Aug. 1).
There will be limited quantities of Activity Bags, and they’ll be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once you’ve earned a badge, you can pick up a cloth patch using curbside pickup or by visiting your branch.
Live Performances
This year, there will be a wide spectrum of weekly entertainers who will perform virtually. Audiences will be able to watch as BCFL hosts live performances from Ran’D Shine, Mad Science, Dinoman, a BMX bike show and more. A full schedule of events will be posted on the library’s website, Beanstack and social media.
All programs will be broadcast live at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, with the exception of the kick-off and end-of-summer performances. Summer Quest will kick off with a live Zoom performance by Magician Ari Paul on Saturday, June 20, at 10 a.m. The end-of-summer performance, featuring the Trinidad Steel Drum Band, will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 3:30 p.m. These programs will be archived for one week.
Quick Bite Videos
New this year – Children’s Services staff will offer live Quick Bite Videos. Some of these will tie into badge challenges, whereas others will run the gamut from hula hoop tricks to sign language tips, origami ideas and more.
Visit buckslib.org/summerquest to learn more.
