Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s libraries have come up with a scrumptious way to enjoy the summer.
Marine Corps Community Services’ libraries will be participating in a variety of programs highlighting the delicacies one can gain by reading through the Reading is Sooo Delicious! Summer Reading Program.
Children, teens and adults will all be able to read for prizes and go to events dedicated to reading and this year’s theme.
“We were very excited when we found out the theme,” said Jana Guitar, the program’s library supervisory technician at the base libraries. “We want to emphasize recipes that are healthy as well as fun.”
Guitar continued, “We partnered with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Onslow County cooking agent. She is going to come in to make ‘A Very Hungry Caterpillar’ (based on the book of the same name) pizza with the kids. It’s something the kids can relate to. We’re going to do a demonstration and each child will make a no-cook version of it.”
Reading throughout the summer helps children maintain the skills they gained during the school year, while adding their imaginations as a place for children to adventure in long summer days.
Events and classes will focus on healthy lifestyles for all age groups, said Guitar.
The program is scheduled to begin June 16 and end Aug. 3. It will have a variety of events for all age groups centered on food and cooking, with simple interactive cooking and crafts for children.
“Kids love to eat,” said Guitar. “The fact they’re going to get hands on things and get to eat them is going to be exciting for them.”
Scheduled parties with food, games and costumes, planned by the library’s Teen Advisory Group, will be available to all teens who register for the summer reading program.
“TAG is pumped about what they’ve come up with,” said Guitar.
Adults have a looser format than the base’s youth. They have classes scheduled based on gardening, cooking, and canning along with a Fondue Date Night for couples.
The event is set to kick off June 16 at the Tarawa Terrace Community Center with an event including Flow Circus, a one-man circus who entertains and delights audiences.
“He’s excellent with children and funny, even to adults,” said Guitar. “He always has an educational slant in his performances.”
The program scheduled events most weeks of the summer with the exception of two, the first week of July and the week of July 15 through 21. Guitar said many families plan vacations around that time.
Patrons can register online, or at the kickoff event for the program. Participants will receive a free shirt. There are also prizes based on hours spent reading for each age group. Adults who have registered will be able to enter drawings to win weekly prizes such as gift certificates for local businesses. Adults do not have to attend classes to enter the drawings.
Patrons can read any kind of book including graphic novels and audio books.
In order for children and teens to win the grand prizes they must attend at least five events.
For more information, call 451-3026 or visit www.mccslejeune.com/libraries/srp.