2023 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Fill small plastic containers with different food items such as cheerios, rice, macaroni, or coffee. Seal them shut. Show your child how to shake them to hear the different sounds each of them make. Play music and invite your child to shake, shake, shake! (Creative Arts)
• Hold your child on your lap facing you. Take their hands in your hands and clap each syllable of their first name. Next, clap your name. Continue by adding middle name and last name. (Language and Literacy)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Learn about a special animal with your child. Make a list of what they already know and a list of what they want to learn. Visit the local library and find a book about the special animal. (Science Thinking and Technology)
• Go outside with your child, lie on your backs, and look at the clouds. Observe the clouds, and look for animals, shapes, and objects within the clouds. (Science Thinking and Technology)

This week’s library

The Columbia Public Library is located at 24 S 6th St #1599, Columbia, PA 17512. Their 2023 Summer Reading theme is “All Together Now” and programs are either in Park School Gym or “Live and Outside” in the Locust Street Park. The Scavenger Hunt returns this year! Look for ocean animals in the windows of local businesses. Record them on your answer sheet – when finished, bring your paper to the library. Completed correct papers win a free book from Scholastic! Learn more. Stop by and say hello to Lisa Greybill, Director, at the Columbia Public Library (Lancaster County).

This week’s state park:

Check out Samuel S. Lewis State Park (York County)!

• Visit the scenic view on Mount Pisgah, providing panoramic views of the Susquehanna River Valley and surrounding towns and farms.
• Bring a kite! It gets windy at the park and is a great location to fly!
• Join one of many night sky programs at the park.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Provide plastic bowls, pots, wooden spoons, etc. for your child to explore. Describe the sizes and the number of items. Show how to stack the items or fit inside each other. Count the items for your child! (Mathematics Thinking and Expression)
• Hold your baby and read to them regardless of age! Toddlers may enjoy having the same book read over and over again as part of bedtime routines. This may include more than one book. Bedtime is an ideal time to enjoy some quiet closeness with your child. (Language and Literacy)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Explore the direction of the wind. Go outside and ask your child if they can feel the air on their face or hand. Use bubble wands and bubble solution and talk about what happens to bubbles when bubbles land on different objects or surfaces. (Scientific Thinking and Technology)
• Go outside with your child on a windy day to see what the wind feels like. What happens to the leaves on the trees in the wind? What does it feel like when the wind blows? (Scientific Thinking and Technology)

This week’s library: 

The Mifflin County Library is located at 6 Philadelphia Ave, Shillington, PA 19607. Please join a new adventure, Jungle Quest 2023, to explore a World of Possibilities (Year-Long). Here is a World of Possibilities and it is waiting for you to explore it. Whether it be exploring a new country or custom or looking to discover something new about ourselves, this year is all about hope and positivity. Like a compass, handcrafted reading challenges will point you in the right direction as you discover the many adventures and possibilities in our world today. Learn more!  Stop by and say hello to Andrea Hunter, Youth Librarian!

This week’s state park:

Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center (Berks County)!

• Enjoy a walk on one of the many ADA-friendly trails.
• Explore the mansion area and discover all the little fairy tale things on the mansion.
• Attend a program or play in the Chickadee Nature Discovery Area.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• While getting ready for the day, sing to your child some of your favorite nursery rhymes or finger plays, like Little Boy Blue, Itsy-Bitsy-Spider, Hey Diddle Diddle, or Hickory-Dickory-Dock. (Language and Literacy)
• Take a few minutes with your child to walk outside and name some of the items they may see. Use descriptive words, including colors! (Approaches to Learning through Play)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Go outside with your child once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening to look for their shadow. What does it look like? Do they see it every time they go outside? (Scientific Thinking and Technology)
• Assist your child to find something in the home that reminds them of different members of their household. Is it a hat? A favorite coat? Find something in the home that reminds them of another member of their family. Don’t forget the pets! (Social Studies Thinking)

This week’s library

The Dimmick Memorial Library, Penn Kidder Library Center (Carbon County) is located at 54 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. In continuous operation since 1890 serving the people of the Jim Thorpe Area School District, the library a full service public library offering a great selection of bestselling and classic fiction and non-fiction books; internet access; fax service; copier; videos/DVDs; audio books; story time; weekly book sales; genealogical research and so much more!

This week’s state park

Hickory Run State Park (Carbon County)!

• Swim at the (unguarded) swim beach
• Explore the National Natural Landmark: Boulder field. (Drive to the field.)
• Investigate hands-on educational exhibits
• Plan a visit to the large campground.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Play with a ball! Help your child explore it with their hands, mouth (make sure it is large enough, not to be a choking hazard) and eyes. If possible, find a ball that chimes or squeaks, has an interesting texture and/or contrasting colors. Talk to your child about what they see, hear or feel. (Health, Wellness and Physical Development)
• While walking with your child, note how they respond to different sounds and sensations outside. Talk to your baby about what they see and hear. Use simple language, such as, “Do you hear the bird?”, “Look at the tree”, “Feel the sunshine”. Point out the everyday things found outdoors. (Language and Literacy)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Talk about the differences between a city and a country. If you live in the town or city, visit or read a book about the country. If you live in the country, visit or read a book about a town or city. Talk about whether your child would like to live in the country or a city, and why. (Social Studies Thinking)
• Discuss the differences between real animals and stuffed animals. For example, a stuffed bear can be hugged, but not a real bear. (Scientific Thinking and Technology)

This week’s library

Visit Hazelton Area Public Library at 55 N Church St, Hazleton, PA 18201, and check out the storytimes, and programs for children. They also have board books, picture books, easy readers, novels, a wide array of nonfiction, paperbacks, magazines, award books, reference materials, and a special section of books for parents and teachers. 

This week’s state park

Nescopeck State Park (Luzerne County)!

• Explore the 3,550-acres that encompasses wetlands, rich forests, and many diverse habitats
• Hike the trails that follow the creek, pass through quiet forests, and skirt wetlands.
• Visit the environmental education center that provides year-round educational programs on the park’s diverse resources and interpretive exhibits that highlight the park’s natural history.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Encourage your child to feel the different texture of the grass, flowers, trees, etc. Make up a song about the birds, or the tree, or the sun and how each texture feels. (Creative Thinking and Expression)
• Read the PA One Book, pointing out colors and pictures, watching your child for responses. What makes them smile? When reading, describe what is happening in different pictures in the book. Talk about the colors or shapes they see. (Scientific Thinking and Technology)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Talk with your child about textures. Find pictures or items around the house that are smooth, rough, slippery and bumpy, etc. Ask your child to find other objects that are the same texture. (Science Thinking and Technology)
• With your child, explore the temperatures of liquids found throughout the home, like water from the sink, milk in the refrigerator, and water in a puddle. (Scientific Thinking and Technology)

This week’s library

The Osterhout Free Library is located at 71 S Franklin St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Visit the Children’s Wing, 3288 square feet, with a book capacity of 39,400 volumes, or join a story time! Stop by the Children’s Wing and say hello to Elaine Rash, librarian.

This week’s state park

Frances Slocum State Park (Luzerne County)!

• Attend one of many educational programs hosted throughout the summer
• Try fishing and boating on the park’s 165-acre lake
• Explore the 14 miles of hiking trails. Many are an easy hike. It’s a great park to explore on foot!

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• You child may enjoy seeing the bright colors of fruits and vegetables at the grocery store or farmers market. Show your child objects as you put them in your shopping cart or basket. (Mathematics Thinking and Expression)
• Allowing enough time for errands or outings with a young child sets the tone for enjoying new sights and sounds. Help them identify things they see, hear or feel and expand any labels they may give those items. (Social Studies Thinking)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Get different sizes of bowls, spoons, pillows, toys, cups, plates, shoes, etc. Ask your child to sort them by small, medium, and large. (Mathematics Thinking and Expression)
• Have your child pretend to be an animal. How will they communicate? How will they move? (Science Thinking and Technology)

This week’s library

Visit the Sullivan County Library located at 206 Center St., Dushore, PA 18614 to explore storytimes and the array of available books for children and families.

This week’s state park

Worlds End State Park (Sullivan County)!

• Have a picnic and view the rugged beauty of the park.
• Visit the Loyalsock Canton Vista at nearby High Knob Overlook.
• Enjoy over 26 miles of hiking trails – some are easy while others are more challenging.
• Consider an overnight visit or attend an educational program.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Tell a story or make up a song about activities that go on in your neighborhood. Clap your child’s hands and mimic movements that might be made during those activities, like walking across the street, putting a letter in a mailbox, etc. (Creative Thinking and Expression)
• While walking around the neighborhood or through a park, describe the weather to your child. Talk about the wind blowing on their face, or the sun shining through trees. Describe the sun or clouds as you walk. (Scientific Thinking)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Encourage your child to act out some of their own rhyming actions. For example, dance a jig like a pig. (Language and Literacy Development)
• Talk about empty and full with your child, then look around the house to find things that are empty and full, like a can of soup and an empty soup can, a full box of cereal and an empty box of cereal, or a roll of paper towels and the empty roll. (Science Thinking and Technology)

This week’s library

The Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library (Cameron County) is located at 27 West 4th St., Emporium, PA 15834-0430.

Approximately 40,000 items, books, talking books, and DVDs are shelved in various collections: picture books, fiction, non-fiction, and reference in the Juvenile Section; fiction, non-fiction, reference, local history, and Large-Print in the Adult Section.

The Pennsylvania History Area contains state and local historical materials. A bibliography of pamphlets in the local history collection is available at the check-out desk.

The Audiovisual Collection includes materials for adults and children of all ages. There are over 600 DVDs on a wide range of topics including instruction, feature films, music and children’s stories. Other audio cassette materials include language instruction and a growing collection of audio books-on-tape, many of which are now in CD format.

This week’s state park

Sinnemahoning State Park (Cameron County)!

• Investigate wildlife watching, including nesting bald eagles in summer and elk in fall.
• Explore hands-on educational exhibits.
• Plan a visit to 35-site modern campground with flush toilets and warm showers. Several sites are pet friendly!
• Scout out the 145-acre lake, great for fishing, paddling your canoe or kayak, or to take a pontoon boat ride.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Play quiet and gentle music as your child settles in for a nap or at bedtime. Listen to and sing children’s songs by artists while driving, walking, or completing activities. (Creative Thinking and Expression)
• Engage your child by using action words like up, down, wiggle and jump. Shout or whisper the word as you act it out together. The next action word may be laugh or wiggle. (Language and Literacy)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Go outside one night with your child to look at the stars. Talk about what can be seen. If stars can’t be seen, discuss what might prevent them from being seen. (Science Thinking and Technology)
• Talk to your child about sleeping words. What other words describe what happens when we sleep? (ex: snore, snooze, doze, etc.) (Language and Literacy Development)

This week’s library

The James V. Brown Library is located at 19 E 4th St, Williamsport, PA 17701. Learn about their story mobile that visits child care facilities across Lycoming County providing hundreds of children in centers with carefully selected and age-appropriate books to enrich their early learning experiences. The Story mobile services primarily preschoolers with a set schedule but it also appears in parades and community festivals. Take in an on-site story time or browse through the selection of books! Stop by and say hello to Nicole Rader, Programming and Youth Services Director.

This week’s state park

Black Moshannon State Park (Centre County)!

• Explore the Black Moshannon Bog Natural Area and its unique plants, including three species of carnivorous plants! Use the Bog Trail – a short 0.5-mile easy loop along a boardwalk or the longer 2.1-mile Star Mill Trail.
• 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake is great for fishing, boating, or to take a quick dip and go swimming.
• Many parts of Black Moshannon were developed during the 1930’s through the Civilian Conservation Corp. Learn about its history and view some of the buildings and infrastructure built for the park.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Faces are fascinating to your children, especially yours! Let your child touch your face and explore the silly, surprised and happy faces you can make for them. (Social and Emotional Development)
• Read a book with people in different jobs and point out different people and the kinds of jobs they might do, describe the person and the job. (Social Studies Thinking)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Have a picnic inside or outside. With your child, pack a lunch to eat. Lay a blanket on the ground and eat your lunch. (Social Studies Thinking)
• With your child, talk about what ears do. Listen for sounds throughout the day and keep a list. (Partnerships for Learning)

This week’s library

The Mary S. Biesecker Public Library (Somerset County) is located at 230 S Rosina Ave, Somerset, PA 15501. The Summer Quest summer learning program begins in June with story times, reading contests, gardening events and more! Stop by and say hello to Lee Ann Schrock, Library Director.

This week’s state park

Laurel Hill State Park (Somerset County)!

• Discover trees over 300 years old at the Hemlock Natural Area!
• Hike one of the parks many trails ranging from easy to most difficult. Copper Kettle Trail is an easy, family-friendly 1.25-mile trail, then go for a swim at the beach and have a picnic lunch.
• Learn about the park’s Civilian Conservation Corp history and view some of the buildings and infrastructure they built for the park.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Blow bubbles and encourage your child to look and reach for them. Play a game of catch with bubbles. Take turns with your child, blowing and catching the bubbles. (Mathematics Thinking and Expression)
• Help your child to take pride in the new things they are learning each day. Sit on the floor and play with your toddler praising their accomplishments and new skills. Be sure to use their name often. (Social and Emotional Development)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Give your child various throw away items found in the house, such as paper towel rolls, old mail, lids, etc. Ask them to arrange the items into a sculpture or to create a masterpiece. Encourage them to describe what they made. (Creative Thinking and Expression)
• Explain to your child how to change from one activity to another. Let your child know when getting ready to do a new activity. For example, “In five minutes we will start to clean up so we can get dinner ready.” (Social Emotional Development)

This week’s library

The North Trails Public Library (Butler County) is located at 1553 W Sunbury Rd, West Sunbury, PA 16061. Visit and find out what exciting programs are happening this summer. When you stop by, say hello to Kelly Terwillinger, librarian!

This week’s state park

Jennings Environmental Education Center (Butler County)!

• July and early August is one of the best times to visit Jennings. Explore the 20-acre prairie and look for blooming Blazing Star and other wildflowers. While you’re there, learn about why the prairie is so unique for Pennsylvania.
• Learn about passive treatment for Abandoned Mine Drainage and how it improves the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways.
• Enjoy easy hiking on the Center’s five miles of trails.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Sing a song with your child about traveling safely, such as riding in the car seat, holding hands when you cross the road, etc. (Health, Wellness and Physical Development)
• Place a small amount of sand, dirt, or rice into a shallow pie pan or box. Show your child how to draw shapes, letters, numbers, or designs with their finger. Talk with them about what they are writing or drawing and how it feels. (Language and Literacy)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Go outside on an insect hunt with your child and help them look for as many bugs as they can. Ask them to draw pictures of what they see. Do any of the bugs look alike? Do they look different? (Scientific Thinking and Technology)
• Describe a time when your child might have had to make a choice (choosing to share a toy or making a healthy food choice) and have them draw a picture of a good choice. (Social Emotional Development)

This week’s library

The Linesville Community Public Library (Crawford County) is located at 111 Penn St, Linesville, PA 16424. Visit and find out what exciting programs are happening this summer. When you stop by, say hello to Renee Grout, Director.

This week’s state park

Pymatuning State Park (Mercer County)!

• One of the largest state parks in the commonwealth!
• Boating, fishing, swimming, and paddling are some of the best activities to do here, with a 17,088-acre lake (the largest in PA!) split between Pennsylvania and Ohio.
• Visit the Linesville Spillway to view and feed the carp.
• Camp at one of the park’s three campgrounds.

Activities this week

Infants & Toddlers:

• Roll down the sides of a brown paper grocery bag (about half way) and let your child fill up the bag with objects, such as sticks, stones, toys or stuffed animals. Then dump them out together. Continue to fill and dump. (Approaches to Learning through Play)
• Sing to your child about where you are going and how you will get there. Use different tones and volumes while singing. Sing about what you both will done once you arrive! (Creative Thinking and Expression)

Preschoolers & Kindergartners:

• Put a glass of water in the freezer. Ask your child to predict what will happen. Check it in a few hours and discuss what happened. (Scientific Thinking and Technology)
• Have your child draw a map of their house or other special place. Help them add labels to the map, like kitchen, bathroom, etc. (Social Studies Thinking)

This week’s library

The Saxton Community Library (Bedford County) is located at 315 Front St, Saxton, PA 16678. Take the 2023 Summer Literacy and Learning Road Trip Travel Journal to find a book from the list, or ask a librarian for a new favorite. While there, say hello to Kristy Williams, Library Director.

This week’s state park

Trough Creek State Park (Huntingdon County)!

• Spend the night at the quaint campground and explore the Outdoor Discovery area, a nature play area.
• Visit the Civilian Conservation Corp-developed ice-mine.
• Hike to the suspension bridge, or to Balanced Rock that hangs off the ledge and looks like it could fall at any minute!