The Ultimate Summer Challenge (USC) serves 20,000 kids, teens and families every July and August and is the Library’s largest program.
This year’s challenge encourages kids, teens and families to read with challenges and prizes including customized storybooks for families, tech prizes of Chromebooks for teens, an iPad for school age children, and a chance to become Library Boss for the Day!
Families and children are encouraged to pick up (or print from home) a bilingual Challenge Map that tracks their reading time, and 40 community partners will be presenting more than 150 programs including live streaming with paleontologists at the Tyrell Museum, hands-on artifacts with Glenbow Museums, Alberta Ballet’s musical storytime, reading to dogs in a Puppy Room, magic shows, martial arts, and more!
Teens have a space all to themselves with the Teen Takeover, a digital experience that will pose creative challenges and have them log reading and volunteer hours through Beanstack.
To serve vulnerable populations, weekly summer club programs have been developed at Forest Lawn, Bowness and Judith Umbach libraries for at-risk children aged six to eight. Additionally, eight outreach activities kits will be piloted during the summer through the Book Trucks and at Calgary Housing.
Last, but certainly not least, five community libraries will be hosting large-scale installations on loan—watch out for a sailboat, tipi, giant metal fish and inflatable artichokes at a library location near you!
The Ultimate Summer Challenge is part of the nation-wide TD Summer Reading Club, Canada’s biggest bilingual summer reading program. In addition to being a long-term supporter of the TD Summer Reading Club at the Calgary Public Library, TD Bank Group is an Add In Founding Partner.
