Eielson students read over summer break

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  For many children, the end of the school year means they can enjoy hours devoted to activities that meet their approval. The library has summer programs that might meet these standards, giving young vacationers one more place to spend their time this summer.

Since children's time is no longer dictated by the hours of school, the summer is a reasonable time to plan summer reading activities and crafts. The library has arranged several activities and programs that will give children something to do during this time.

This year's summer reading program theme is "Midsummer Knight's Read." The program kicked off May 24 and will continue until July 19 and is open to preschool through high school students. Participants count their reading minutes and have the opportunity to earn several prizes. Children can register to participate at anytime during the eight week program.

The Midsummer Knight's Read program rewards participants with bowling passes for the Arctic Lanes bowling alley throughout the summer. The amount of minutes read and continuation in the program determines what prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the summer.

"We know reading to a child is one of the best ways to help a child learn to read," said Marcia Lee, a base librarian. "If families could set aside 15 minutes to read maybe at bedtime or right after breakfast that would help to facilitate the children setting a pattern to enjoy reading and give them something to look forward to."

If children are not of reading age, books can be read to them or listened to on audio. It is all about the children learning and gaining an interest in books. There are no limitations dictating who reads the books or what kind of books can be read.

"I like to read," said eight year old Sariah Stamm, the daughter of Staff Sgt. Aaron Stamm, 354th Maintenance Squadron avionics production supervisor. "I practice a lot. I go inside the quiet room (in my house) and pick one book at a time and practice reading."

Children can come to the library with a parent and participate in weekly summer projects. The activities generally involve a craft that will inspire the student to use their creativity.

"A lot of time is spent trying to encourage and develop reading. This is a good opportunity to support and honor those children that already appreciate reading," said Ms. Lee.

To make the Midsummer's Knight Read theme come to life, dress-up clothing will be available for the young readers to wear as they sit on a throne to read at the library.

The librarians are attempting to provide as many options as possible to keep the kids reading and interested.

"This program helps to keep my children from watching too much TV or playing too many video games. It also gives them one more activity they know they can be involved with," said Sarah Stamm, a mother who attended the Midsummer Knight's Read kick-off event with her children.

Other programs at the library allow children in second through sixth grade to adopt a shelf for the duration of the summer or choose books to put on display. This gives the children the opportunity share with others what they have read and introduce books they might be interested in.

"There's a plethora of books at the library with something to interest everyone, it is a matter of finding the one that suits you personally," said Ms. Lee.

The time made available by the onset of summer vacation allows students to enjoy books in whatever subjects catch their interest. During the Midsummer Knight's Read summer event, the youth of Eielson can spend time engrossed in the tales found in many library books.