Summer Starts at EPL
Summer Starts is EPL's annual program that encourages kids to read, create and explore all summer long. Kids can track their reading activity for a chance to win awesome prizes and check out our classes and events. In total, there are more than 500 activities to keep kids busy! The best part? It’s all FREE. Download the program guide in English or French to learn more.
Recommended Reads
Not sure what to read this summer? Check out these lists for awesome book suggestions.
Did you know that kids can lose up to a month of learning during the summer months? This phenomenon is called the “summer slide” and the effects can last all year.1 The good news? Reading just a few books can make a huge difference in combatting summer learning loss, especially in terms of reading comprehension and writing skills. Plus the majority of kids actually like to read during the summer.2
That's why EPL participates in the TD Summer Reading Club, a national summer reading program for kids, as part of the Summer Starts program. In 2018, more than 17,000 kids across Edmonton registered for the challenge and we hope to welcome even more in 2019!
1. Quinn, D. M., & Polikoff, M. (2017, September 14). Summer learning loss: What is it, and what can we do about it? Retrieved June 20, 2019, from https://www.brookings.edu/research/summer-learning-loss-what-is-it-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/
2. Scholastic Canada. (2017). Scholastic's Kids and Family Reading Report™, Canadian Edition. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.ca/readingreport/summer-reading.php
Summer Starts at EPL including a variety of FREE drop-in classes and events, from dinosaurs and puppets to singing and dancing, STEAM-based activities, indigenous themes and more! Choose from EPL-led classes and events featuring hands-on activities for kids, external performers and special storytime classes with a player from the Edmonton Eskimos.
To stay up-to-date with the Summer Starts activities happening at your branch, download a printable calendar here.
What are you interested in?
Summer Starts - Writers and Readers Event Card
Summer Starts - Makerspace and Making Event Card
Summer Starts - Art and Artists Event Card
Summer Starts - Storytime Event Card
Summer Starts - Science and Discovery Event Card
Summer Starts - Games and Activities Event Card
Summer Starts - Indigenous Event Card
Summer Starts - Crafts and Hobbies Event Card
EPL’s summer reading challenge is not only about the fun of reading, but awesome prizes too. For every six hours of reading completed, kids get to design their own button and receive a ballot to enter the draw to win one of these grand prizes!
The Rainy Day Adventure prize pack includes:
- Reading tent
- Board games
- iPad mini and case
- Assorted books
- Squishmallow pillow
All 21 EPL branches are also running a weekly contest. Find Dwayne the Rock and receive a prize ballot to win one of these weekly prizes:
- A free book (one per week for each EPL branch)
- A Booster Juice prize pack filled with coupons and other goodies to keep you fueled all summer long (one per week)
