WHAT IS SUMMERQUEST?
SummerQuest, or Summer Learning, is an opportunity to engage kids, teens, and adults during the summer months through reading, programming, exploration, and more. At any age and any stage, reading is an essential part of a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.
During the summer months children lose up to two months of learning from the previous school year. Continued reading and learning experiences during the summer is the most effective way for children to avoid suffering from what researchers call the "summer slide." It is critical that children continue the learning process throughout the year. Bosler's SummerQuest not only offers an exciting reading challenge, but interactive and engaging programs for kids and teens. These include storytimes for different ages, science camps, sensory exploration, and art classes. We are also thrilled to host special performers throughout the summer! More information about these programs can be found in our 2026 SummerQuest Program Guide.
NOT JUST FOR KIDS, adults are also encouraged to participate in Bosler's SummerQuest. Our Carlisle Institute for Lifelong Learning continues during the summer months as part of our SummerQuest. We have multi-session courses on financial literacy, heart health, writing, and more. Adults also have their own special reading challenge where they can win exciting prizes.
Please take a moment to look at the list of our SummerQuest sponsors at the bottom of this page. Without them this program would not be possible.
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE
We have three separate reading challenges for Kids (birth to 12 years), Teens (13 through 17), and Adults (18+)! Each challenge comes with their own set of prizes and special activities to complete. They all share one thing...READING! Read books, picture books, graphic novels, magazines, comics, or even the news. Listening to audiobooks also counts! Each time you read, keep track of the minutes you spend reading and log those minutes into your Summer Reading Account (separate from your library card account). As your minutes of reading accumulate, you will earn badges which come with rewards. These rewards are different for each age group participating in the challenge (more information below). For parents, remember that reading to or with your child also counts, not just for your child, but for you as well! Time shared reading together and to one another is as valuable as reading alone.
PLUS...in addition to logging your reading, you can also log activities! Activities will earn additional badges. These activities are different for each challenge and will be listed on your Summer Reading Account under "Activity Badges." Completing these activities also earn you badges that come with special rewards. View the activities you can complete here!
Badge Rewards:
Kids (ages birth through 12 years)
Each badge earned will come with a set number of Gold Star Coins! Each reading badge will earn you five coins. Activity badges (except GO Cumberland) will earn between one and five coins, depending on the activity. Once earned, these coins can be redeemed at the Library for select prizes or saved up to spend at our Summer Learning Fair for bigger prizes! If you can't make it to the Summer Learning Fair you can also make an appointment with our Youth Service Staff to pick your prizes. All coins must be redeemed by August 30.
Teens (ages 13 through 17 years)
We will hold weekly gift card drawings during the summer on Fridays for all teens participating in our SummerQuest. Teen must log at least one reading session or activity to qualify for that week's drawing (even if they have already completed the challenge). Weekly drawings include gift certificates to Whistlestop Bookshop, Dough & Arrows, Isse Noodle, and Target. Teens who complete the challenge will also earn raffle tickets that can be used to enter special basket raffle drawings.
Adults (ages 18+ years)
Each badge earned will come with a set number of Raffle Tickets! Completing activities (except GO Cumberland) will also earn tickets. These raffle tickets can be used to enter the prize drawings of your choice. We will have a variety of prize drawings throughout the Summer. Prizes include gift certificates to area businesses, family adventure passes, and much more! View the full list of available adult prizes here!
Note: Adults and Teens may win in more than one of the drawings. Being a winner in one of the drawings does not disqualify adults and teens for winning in another drawing.
The Summer Reading Challenge begins June 1 and the last day to log reading is Friday, August 8.
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Many of our program require registration. Registration for Youth and Teen programs open on the third Monday of the month prior to the program month at 9:00 am. Registration for all adult programs will open at 9:00 am on May 18. Use the links below to register for programs.
Register for Youth Program (birth to 12 years)
Register for Teen Programs (13 to 17)
Register for Adult Programs (18+)
GO CUMBERLAND
Go Cumberland is a partnership between the Cumberland County Library System and WellSpan Health. All ages can participate in this healthy initiative. Using a guidebook or directions off the GO Cumberland website, participants will follow a series of directions on specific trails in Cumberland County. These directions will lead you to a post with a rubbing plate on it. The plate will contain a code that can be entered into your Beanstack Account under the activities section. After completing four hikes you will earn an entry into a special raffle drawing, another entry is earned after completing 10 hikes, and a third entry if you complete all 15 hikes.
SUMMERQUEST SPONSORS
Bosler's 2026 SummerQuest is made possible through our primary sponsor: The Jerry and Ellen Hair Foundation. Additional support is provided by F&M Trust. Support for the SummerQuest was also provided by UGI Utilities, Inc., PPL, Avalon, Garman Builders, and Weis Markets, Inc., through the Cumberland County Library System Foundation.
