‘Discover the World’ at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
June 7, 2025 by agutting@reviewjournal.com
Filed under Community, Events
Looking for fun and engaging ways to keep everyone learning this summer? The Library District’s Summer Challenge reading and activities program for kids, teens, and adults is being held through July 31, featuring great prizes from the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Smith Center, Freed’s Bakery, plus free Library District swag, and more).
The theme for this year’s Summer Challenge invites participants to “Discover the World” through our local libraries.
“As summer approaches, parents and caregivers are looking for fun, meaningful ways to keep kids engaged and learning,” said Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson. “Research shows that over those summer months, children and teens can lose important academic skills, which we call ‘summer slide.’ That’s why the Summer Challenge is our biggest event of the year, to motivate kids with great prizes and show them that learning can be fun.”
According to Watson, the program is for all ages — even babies. “This year’s theme, ‘Discover the World,’ invites kids, teens, and adults to explore new ideas, cultures, and experiences through their local libraries,” Watson said, “and even babies and toddlers can participate. Parents can read to them, sing songs, explore nature, and talk about everyday activities like grocery shopping. The first five years of a child’s life are critical in early brain development. These simple moments to share together builds a lifelong love of learning.”
Watson added that the program is just as engaging for adults. “Many adults are looking for their next beach read or a way to escape the heat with new hobbies,” he explained. “Summer Challenge offers activities for all ages, from reading anything they like, even comic books or poetry, to learning a new language, using a 3D printer, and creating music. Everything you read, do, or discover earns credits toward prizes from our amazing community partners. We are grateful for their support in promoting literacy across the Las Vegas Valley.”
The 2025 Summer Challenge partners include: Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, NBA 2K Summer League, The Smith Center, Freed’s Bakery, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Panda Express, Cox, Three Square, Nevada Arts Council, Vegas PBS, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, and University of Nevada Extension.
The Library District makes it easy to participate in Summer Challenge with suggested weekly line-ups of fascinating, free events, and activities. Visit any of the 25 branches and discover art galleries, live performances, craft and language classes, job skills training, hands-on technology experiences — the list of possibilities is endless!
Visit TheLibraryDistrict.org/SummerChallenge for events and dates all summer long or stop by your nearest branch and talk to a friendly librarian. We are here to help!
How Summer Challenge Works
It’s simple. Participate in activities like storytimes, maker spaces, crafts & painting, hands-on technology like 3D printing, plus guest lectures, astrology, poetry writing, learning the guitar, and so much more! And read whatever you like: books, audiobooks, comic books, graphic novels, poetry, the daily news—anything you enjoy.
Simply record your progress on the paper logs available to pick up at any library branch or visit TheLibraryDistrict.org/SummerChallenge and follow the link to Beanstack, where you can track your progress online. All participants qualify for prizes each time they complete a level, while supplies last. You can earn great prizes including Library District swag for completing each level.
