Summer Quest returns as online program

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.

 

Because of COVID-19, Summer Quest will be different this year as all fun will take place online so that people can stay safe.

 

This year BCFL’s goal is for Bucks County to read for 1 million minutes. Participants won’t need to use a reading log as they’ll use Beanstack, an online reading site to track minutes, submit book reviews and mark off challenges completed to earn badges.

 

Readers of all ages can use Beanstack on the web or via an app. Visit the Summer Quest page at buckslib.org/summerquest for information on creating a Beanstack account and instructions for downloading the app.

 

As in past years, kids, teens and adults can earn badges by completing challenges that encourage users to explore, write and create. 2020 badges are: Wondrous Wilderness, Bona Fide Fan, Once Upon a Time, Schooner or Later, Standing Ovation, and Wandering Wordsmith. People will be able to complete badge challenges at home.

 

To help kids with their Summer Quest challenges, BFL has created easy-to-grab take-away Activity Bags. Parents can pick these up at their branch using 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 to July 4, Wondrous Wilderness: July 6 to 11, Wandering Wordsmith: July 13 to 18, Schooner or Later: July 20 to 25 and Standing Ovation: July 27 to Aug. 1.

 

There are limited quantities of activity bags, and they’ll be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This year BCFL will have 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 BCLF website, Beanstack and social media.

 

All programs will be broadcast live at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, with the exception of the kickoff and end-of-summer performances. Summer Quest will kick off with a live Zoom performance by Magician Ari Paul 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20. The end-of-summer performance, featuring the Trinidad Steel Drum Band, will take place 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1.

 

New this year, Children’s Services staff will be offering 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.

 

To learn more about Summer Quest, visit buckslib.org/summerquest.