Newburgh Free Library Offers Full Slate of Summertime Youth Activities

With schools on summer recess, the Newburgh Free Library is offering a wide range of fun and educational activities for children in various age groups.

For starters, the Summer Reading program has returned with an “Ocean of Possibilities” theme. Children of all ages can sign up to join the program, which is open from preschool ages through the teenage years.

Students in sixth through twelfth grades may participate in an “Anime and Manga Club,” which involves discussions about their favorite manga series. Students will vote on an anime episode to watch while they munch on Japanese snacks and play games. Summer meetings will take place at 4:00pm on July 14, July 28, August 11, and August 25, 2022. Registration is encouraged.

The program “Beach Babies” will also be featured throughout the summer. The program is for babies from birth to 18 months old and includes books, songs, fingerplays, and brain-building fun. It is held every Tuesday at 9:30am through August 23, 2022.

For those slightly older, the “Summer Toddlers” program is designed for those ages 18 to 36 months old. It involves books, songs, activities, and brain-building fun. It will take place every Wednesday at 10:00am through August 24, 2022.

Youngsters ages 1 through 5 can join a caregiver in attending a reading program to learn about snakes in this “Snake, Rattle & Read” program. The event will be held at the Town Branch on July 12 and July 26, 2022 at 1:00pm, and at the Main Library on July 19, 2022 at 1:00pm. The music and movement program features books, songs, and fun. No registration is required.

For pre-schoolers, the library will run a “Preschool Summer Storytime” throughout the summer. The events will take place every Thursday from July 7 through August 25, 2022 from 11:00am to 11:45am. It is open to children ages 3 to 5.

Those ages 3-6 can bring a caregiver with them to attend a “Sprouts and Shoots” storytime about plants. The six-week series of events will begin on July 11, 2022 at 10:30am and will take place every Monday. It will consist of a 45-minute summer storytime with books, rhymes, songs, and fun activities. No registration is needed.

For those ages 3-8, the Newburgh Free Library Town Branch will conduct a “Dive Deep” story and craft program. Pupils can participate in an ocean-themed read-aloud and then bring home a “take and make” craft kit. For those unable to attend, craft kits are also available at the library during branch hours while supplies last.

Children ages 4 and up can learn yoga in a “Yoga for Kids” program. The series will be held every Thursday from July 7 through August 25, 2022, from 10:00am to 10:45am. Yoga, stretching, and stories will make for fun mornings.

Youngsters ages 9-18 will have an opportunity to attend a “MisN’s Girl’s Circle”. This is a two-week long support group and skill building group designed to increase positive connections, personal and collective strengths, and confidence and self-esteem. Lunch will be provided. The series will take place from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on July 11, July 13, July 15, July 18, July 20, and July 22. Registration is not required but is preferred.

For those ages 10-14, a “Yoga for Tweens” series will be held at the Town Branch on August 12, August 19, and August 26 from 10:30am to 11:30am. The youngsters can de-stress with beginner-level yoga and a craft. No previous yoga experience is required. Those attending may bring their own mat or be provided with a free mat to keep courtesy of the library. Space is limited and registration is encouraged.

Students ages 10 and up may participate in a “Gamers Hangout”. The pupils can drop in to play the Nintendo Switch. It is available on July 7, July 21, August 4, and August 18 at 3:30pm. No registration is required.

Older students can attend a “Student Cinematography” workshop series to learn how to create short videos. Students in grades 6 through 12 can attend the program, which will be held every Tuesday from July 26, 2022 through August 30, 2022. The workshops run from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on each date. It is being led by Lennox Guzman, a Newburgh Free Academy student. Students will learn the basics of cinematography and work as a team to create a short video about the library. Registration is required. Email Taylor, a teen librarian, at tbeach@rcls.org for more information.

On July 5, 2022 from 2:00pm to 2:45pm, the Newburgh Free Library will host “Shark Week Crafternoon,” an afternoon filled with crafts. The event is suitable for children ages 6 and up. Using a shark template, children will trace shark shapes and cut them out. The cutouts will then be sealed to make placemats.

On July 12 and July 26, 2022, children ages 6 through 10 can experience cultures from across the ocean. The July 12 event is geared toward the Caribbean while the July 26 event is aimed toward Madgascar. Youngsters can figuratively sail across the ocean to explore the islands via stories, activities, and music.

On July 18, 2022 beginning at 12:30pm, the library will hold a “Mini Monet” event. This will teach sensory art to children ages 2 through 6. Children and parents can head out for fun, but are cautioned to dress for a mess.

On July 19, 2022 from 2:00pm to 2:45pm, a “Coral Reef Crafternoon” will take place. Children ages 6 and up may participate in arts and crafts geared toward – you guessed it – coral reefs from the oceans.

On July 23, 2022 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, the library will hold a “Bee-u-tiful Bees” program. Stories and activities are aimed at children ages 5 through 9, but those of all ages are welcome to attend. The program celebrates the powerful pollinators and complex creatures at a bee-themed story gathering held in the library’s garden.

On July 27, 2022 at 2:00pm, the library will hold a “Dinosaurs Rock” event. Children or adults of any ages can attend to learn fascinating facts about fossils and ancient sea-life in a highly interactive program. Those attending may get to dig and make their own discoveries.

Anyone seeking further information may contact the Newburgh Free Library at (845) 563-3600.