Join A Summer Library Adventure For Teens!

By Crystal Anderson, BPL Head of Young Adult Services

The adventure is still ongoing for teens at the Bellevue Public Library this summer! Going into grade 7-12? Or did you just graduate high school? Have fun and win prizes all summer long when you read, do activity kits, attend events, enter contests, volunteer, and more!

Get started by joining the “Adventure Begins At Your Library” challenge anytime June 1-July 31 at: bellevue.beanstack.org! Download the Beanstack Tracker from your mobile app store for easy, on-the-go participation—and a book scanner for fast logging and reviews.

Earn prize points and special badges through a variety of activities, like reading and doing summer activities. Stack up those points to unlock Badge Prizes and virtual tickets that you can enter into Grand Prize drawings!

Grab the full teen “Adventure Begins At Your Library” Summer Program (SLP) booklet during your next library visit or view/download it here: bit.ly/bellyaslp2024

June: Activity & Program Highlights

We kicked off the first month with a variety of activity kits, pop-up programs, and exciting events! Teens read and logged a total of 73,268 minutes (over 1,221 hours) through our “Adventure Begins At Your Library” challenge just in June—keep those pages turning!

• Drop-In Boba Slime: (June 12) Teens went from station to station to make colorful slime – complete with squishy “boba” water beads, fruity fragrance oils, and customizable cups!
• Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf: (June 14) The community enjoyed a 9-hole, LED mini golf course with windmills, ramps, loops, and other challenging obstacles during this after-hours event!
• Worm-On-A-String Bracelets: (June 18) Teens made fuzzy, fast, and fun bracelets using the classic worm-on-a- string toys during this Tuesday afternoon pop-up!
• Gamefest: (June 21) Stay cool and hang out with video, tabletop, and ping pong gaming! We have Nintendo Switch and Wii U consoles, as well as a variety of tabletop titles. Super Smash your friends, compete in e-sports, & more! Our first summer meet-up was in June; attendees got their game on with all of the above – plus, some classic card games and a few rounds of Slappy Hands!
• Optical Illusion Sand Art: (June 26) Teens went on both an art and movie adventure, creating optical illusions with colorful sand while watching 1999’s suspenseful epic, The Mummy.
• June Kits: Registration for this month’s kits filled up fast! Every week, the library provided teens with fun and interesting take-home activities, including Spicy Strawberry Boba, Suncatcher Air Plants, Pet Mothmen, Popsicle Soaps, Cherry Limeade Scrubs, and Mushroom Terrariums. All SLP kits come with secret codes you can redeem for prize points on Beanstack. Share photos of your completed kits to earn bonus prize points!

July: Upcoming Popular Programs

There is one month left in the “Adventure Begins At Your Library” Summer Program—and you can still join right up to the end! Sign up for all teen programs either through our calendar at bellevuelibrary.org, library social media, or the challenge activity badges on Beanstack.

• Teen “Nailed It!”: Enter our fifth annual virtual baking contest where you compete at recreating a (semi-)difficult recipe from the comfort of your own kitchen! Last year’s contestants made magically delicious celestial cakes (see photo)! Register for the 2024 contest at: bit.ly/nailedit2024
• Gamefest: Our next gaming meet-up will be Friday, July 19 (3:30-5:15 PM)! For teens going into Grade 7-12; no registration required.
• Virtual Trivia: Fire up your mind this summer! Sign up to receive an access code, then complete the round when it’s live. Win the round, win a prize! Theme: Cryptids & More (July 22-28). Sign up at: bit.ly/cryptidtrivia
• Exploring Biofluorescence: Join Nebraska Wildlife Rehab at the library for their program Exploring Biofluorescence: Light In A Different Light on Wednesday, July 24 (6:00-7:00 PM)! Biofluorescence is the absorption and remission of light from certain organisms or things. Discover this phenomenon in the dark with handheld blacklights, experiments, and more! For kids & teens (Grade 3-12). Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. No registration required; space is limited.

July Kits:

• Raspberry Peach Boba: Blend a refreshing drink with raspberry tea, an organic peach syrup, and deliciously chewy boba! Please note that if you received a Spicy Strawberry Boba kit in June, you are not eligible to register for this kit. Sign up at: bit.ly/raspberrypeachboba 
• Shimmering Sand Slime: Stir up a new sensory experience with borax-free slime and finely textured, colorful craft sand! Sign up at: bit.ly/shimmeringsandslime
• Mini Campfire Light: Make a cozy and flameless fire using a flickering LED light, tiny stones, logs, moss, and more! Sign up at: bit.ly/minicampfirelight
• Crystal Lip Gloss: Craft an iridescent lip gloss using all natural ingredients and, for the bottle, dazzling mini crystals and gemstones! Sign up at: bit.ly/crystallipgloss
• No-Sew Werewolf Hoop Art: Bring this famous forest cryptid to life with a no-sew project featuring felt, fabric, and more! Sign up at: bit.ly/werewolfhoopart
• Beaded Cow Keychain: A classic 90s craft–string together a cute cow using just pony beads, string, and a keychain clip! Sign up at: bit.ly/beadedcow
• Babysitting Certification Clinics:  Become a safe and reliable sitter! The Nebraska Extension Services provided babysitting certification to 15 students (age 11-18) per course. Teens learned the basics of child development, safety, & more through their Building Better Babysitters program! The library hosted courses on June 7, June 22, and July 5 this summer. Please check back in the fall/winter for our next certification opportunities!
• Tiny Art Show: The TEEN-y tiny art show returns! Teens signed up to receive a mini canvas kit and then could use any 2D or 3D supplies at home to create their masterpiece. See their art on display in late July—and vote for the winners!
• Chopped @ Home (Totally Tacos): Create a delicious meal with our mystery ingredient kit! Teens will choose the recipe based on the theme and whip up something yummy using the kit—and anything from their kitchen at home! The community can vote online for their favorite entry during Showcase Week. The winner gets a cool mini kitchen gadget and major bragging rights! Contest is ongoing now; deadline is July 7.
• Kids’ Cruisin’ Kitchen: (May 29-August 2, Monday-Friday, 12:30-1:00 PM) This program delivers free hot and nutritious meals to children up to 18 years of age. Meals are served on the library lawn and must be eaten on site. Children are served first, but parents may also eat provided there is enough food.

Don’t forget to enter your virtual tickets into the grand prize drawings before Wednesday, July 31! Go to the “Ticket Drawings” tab within the Beanstack challenge to put your tickets into the different prize bundles (descriptions listed on Beanstack and library social media).

Redeem your unlocked Badge Prizes at the library’s front desk! You can choose from a wide prize selection, including books, bracelets, candy, cool pens, iron-on patches, keychains, lanyards, finger skateboards, pop fidget toys, rubber charms, scrunchies, and more.

Questions about the teen “Adventure Begins At Your Library” Summer Program (SLP)? Contact Crystal Anderson at [email protected] or at (402) 682-6673. Questions about the children’s SLP? Contact Michelle Bullock at [email protected] or (402) 293-3158.