Good news! It’s not too late to indulge yourself and your family this summer with good books, programs, prizes, activities, and fun.
Join the Summer Reading Program, Dream Big, at Rochester Hills Public Library. Registration is open to all residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township and may be done online at www.rhpl.org/summerreading. The last day for rewards is August 9. Summer events at the library include the following:
Youth Video Game Days
Mondays, July 9 & August 6
6:00 -8:00 p.m.
Multipurpose Room
Students ages 9-12 are invited to drop in for free play. All games rated E for everyone.
Books, Buddies and Blankets @ RHPL in Rotary Gateway Park
July 10, August 17
11:00 a.m.
We’ll bring the books, you bring the buddies and blankets and let’s meet in Rotary Park (west end of the west parking lot of RHPL) for an entertaining, outdoor storytime. Rain location is the Multipurpose Room. Non registered participants are welcome if space allows. Online registration begins one week prior to each date.
Books, Buddies and Blankets @ the Village
Wednesdays: July 25 and August 22
10:30 a.m.
Youth Services staff from RHPL will share books, songs and dances at the Village of Rochester Hills shopping center. A rain location will be designated by the Village coordinators.
Tantalizing Twos-Days
Tuesdays, July 31 & August 14
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Story Room
Entering K – Grade 4
Register all children attending each event. Online registration begins one week prior to each Tantalizing Twos-day.
July 31 – Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. Hear the folktale Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow then make your own Robin Hood hat, feathers and all!
August 14 – The Owl and the Pussycat. Hear this amusing nonsense poem about an owl and a pussycat who sail in a pea green boat for The Land Where the Bong Tree Grows. After listening to the poem you’ll create your own Memory Game based on their adventures
A Night at Camp Half-Blood
All ages/Ages 9-12
Thursday, July 19, Multipurpose Room
Online registration begins on July 12.
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Bring the whole family for an evening of fun and games based on the popular Percy Jackson series. “Campers” will be assigned to a cabin and complete a quest of physical, mental and artistic challenges. At the end of the evening, 9-12 year old demigods will have a chance to attempt an independent quest!
7:30 – 10:00 PM
Demigods ages 9-12 can remain at the library and participate in the ultimate after-hours challenge. Once we’ve refueled and brushed up on our Percy Jackson trivia, campers will be sent on a Hero’s Quest. “Campers” will need all their demigod gifts to succeed in this final challenge! Each child will need a signed permission slip, available at the library on the night of the program, to stay for this final challenge. Parents should return to the library by 9:45 p.m. to pick-up their camper at 10:00 p.m..
Butterfly Wings and Musical Things
All ages
Saturday, July 21
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Multipurpose Room
Register all children and adults attending. Ever heard of a dondo? A berimbau? A cuica? No? This is the program for you! This unique musical adventure presents the beautiful music of many unusual instruments from a variety of lands and cultures. Even better, children will even have an opportunity to try these instruments! Combine this with some wonderful interactive and highly dramatic storytelling and you have a perfect way to spend a summer morning. Online registration begins July 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Dream Big Talent Show
Through age 12
Required informational meeting: Saturday, July 21 – 11:30 a.m., Multipurpose Room
Required Rehearsal Dates: Wednesdays, August 1 & 15 – 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room
Big show: Saturday, August 25 – 10:30 a.m.
Sing a song, do a dance, read a poem. Come and act out a skit, show us your karate skills, or play your instrument. This is your time to shine! Any Youth Summer Reading participant may present their talents individually or in groups at this year’s Summer Talent Show. Come one, come all and show us what you’ve got!
Youth Room Star Hunt
All ages
Monday, July 23 – Saturday, July 28
All Day, Youth Room
Visit the Youth Desk anytime during the week and set off on an adventure through the collections in the youth room. Don’t miss out on this popular summer reading adventure!
Family Candy Land Challenge!
All ages
Saturday, August 4
10 a.m. – Noon, Multipurpose Room
Register all children and adults attending. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in a board game? Bring your family to experience the life-size board game and other Candy Land-inspired challenges. Please arrive by 11 a.m. to complete all the activities. Every family that completes the challenge will be entered into our prize drawing. Online registration begins July 28 at 9:00 a.m.
Camperific Storytime
All Ages
Thursday, August 9
7:00 – 7:30 PM
Story Room
Register all children and adults attending. Bring your family to the library where we’ll pitch a tent and then gather around a “campfire” for an evening of stories, songs and rhymes. Stories of camping fun, adventure and peril will be followed by a camperific craft you’ll get to take home. Online registration begins August 2 at 9:00 a.m.
Summer Reading Finale
Come Touch a Truck!
Saturday, August 11
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Parking Lot
All ages
Know children who love trucks and other vehicles? This is the event for them! Spend time looking, touching, and even honking horns of some all-time favorites. NOTE: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. will be a “no honking” hour. No registration is required for this outdoor event and no rain date is scheduled.