Welcome to Summer Sparks

Hastings District Libraries is again running the Summer Sparks Challenge for children aged 5-12. 

You can sign up online from Monday 26 November with the programme running between 3^rd December 2018 and 20^th January 2019.

What is Summer Sparks?

A fun set of challenges and activities providing an innovative and dynamic way of encouraging children’s learning and discovery over the summer holidays.

The programme incorporates a variety of literacy forms and methods, including, but not limited to, traditional reading based elements.

How does the programme work?

Children aged 5-12 years complete activities and then tell us, show us, or amaze us with whatever wonderful form that has taken.

Each child gets an activity log with 25 different activities on it, arranged by type into ‘challenge sets’. These sets are themed so children can complete ones that appeal to them more, or all of them, should they wish to.

The programme activities are broad and easily scaled up or down depending on the age and ability of the child. There is no right or wrong way to complete the activities, it’s all about imagination.

Children can come in as many (or as few) times as they like. Children that go away for large parts of the holidays can still participate – just come in when you can. 

Themes for this summer

This year there is also an extra sticker for those who complete 5 activities across multiple challenge sets.

Prizes

There are a bunch of great prizes up for grabs!

The more challenge sets a child completes the more entries they receive. Children can gain up to 11 entries into prize draws of their choice. If they complete all 25 challenges, they will also be entered into a Super Sparks prize draw.

End of Holiday POOL PARTY!

When Summer Sparks winds up, there will be a pool party held to act as a culmination of all their hard work, as well as an opportunity to hold a prizegiving. This will happen on Tuesday 22 January at Frimley Pool (503 Frimley Road, Hastings).

The Plan: Doors open at 9:30am, begin at 9:45am with a prizegiving, in the pool by 10am, out of pool by 11 :30am, out of the complex by 11 :45am. (If you want to stay on for the afternoon you need to leave the complex then re-enter as general public and charges will apply.)

All children must be accompanied by an adult 16 years or over, and all swimmers must be wearing appropriate swimwear.

We'll only cancel if there is really horrible weather (like thunder and lightning) 'cause we are REALLY looking forward to it!

Information for Schools

Let’s work together to keep children learning over the summer.

Our team can come out to one of your assemblies or visit individual classes to talk about our Summer Sparks literacy programme.

Contact the Learning and Discovery Team at hdlprogrammes@hdc.govt.nz