Supporting Our Community: Fort Edward Free Library's Free Summer Programs!

The school district is thrilled to help connect our students and families with some incredible summer opportunities right down the street at the Fort Edward Free Library! The library has officially launched its 2026 Summer Reading Challenge alongside a fantastic lineup of free educational events to keep children of all ages engaged, learning, and having fun all summer long.

Participation in the reading challenge and all summer activities is completely free and open to all families residing in the Village and Town of Fort Edward, as well as surrounding communities.

Teachers and parents, please help us spread the word by sharing this article out on ClassDojo so none of our students miss out on the summer fun!

The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge: "Unearth a Story"

Help your child keep their reading skills sharp over the summer break by joining the official library reading challenge!

• The Timeline: The program kicks off on June 29th and runs through Friday, July 31st, 2026.

• The Goal: Students challenge themselves to read at least 10 minutes, 4 times a week.

• The Reward: Every reader who completes the requirements will be rewarded with an invitation to an exclusive Pizza Party featuring games and activities on Wednesday, August 5th at 6:00 PM.

• How to Sign Up: Families can stop by the library to sign up and grab a registration form, or find them online at the library's website.

Wednesday Morning Storytime: Little Bookworms

Looking for an engaging morning activity for your younger children? The library's weekly storytime is the perfect place to build early literacy and social skills.

• When: Wednesdays from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
   
• Summer Schedule: June 17, June 24, July 8, July 15, July 22, August 5, August 12, and August 19.
   
• What to Expect: A fun-filled morning featuring a different theme each week with stories, crafts, and interactive play.
   
• Ages: This program is specifically geared toward toddlers and preschoolers aged 2 to 4+. Please note: While designed for this age range, the library welcomes all families and will never turn away an older child who wants to participate! 

Free Special Events Calendar

Mark your calendars! The library is hosting an incredible variety of hands-on, educational experiences throughout July and August:

July Events

• MISCI Dino Discovery (Grades K-3) Tuesday, July 7th @ 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Explore the prehistoric world! Kids will get to hold real fossils and create their own Dino-fossil to take home. (Registration required).

• Messy Meetups Outdoor Play (Ages 2-5) Monday, July 13th @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Hosted by Indian Ladder Farms, this nature-based playgroup features mud kitchens, farm-themed art, and bubbles. Be prepared for a mess! (No registration needed, just show up).

• Wildlife Education by Bernadette Monday, July 20th @ 6:00 PM Meet live animals up close, including South American Chinchillas, a Canada Lynx, and a Yellow-naped Amazon parrot, while exploring real wildlife specimens. (Registration required).

• MISCI Rosie Revere: Engineer (Grades K-2) Monday, July 27th @ 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Learn about the science of engineering through an engaging story, then build, test, and improve a take-home flying machine. (Registration required).

 August Events

• Jurassic Park Family Outdoor Movie Night Monday, August 3rd @ 8:30 PM (Rain date: Aug 4th)
  Gather the whole family for an epic movie night under the stars. Please bring your own lawn chairs, though the library will have a few available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Registration required).
   
• Storytime with Murray the Dog! (Ages 3-8) Monday, August 10th @ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Join local author Margot Tohn and her adorable sheepadoodle, Murray, for a live reading of Murray Goes to the Playground. Thanks to McDonald Oil LLC, every child will get to "adopt" their very own dog stuffed animal to take home! (Registration required).
   
• Bee Bee the Clown – Jackie Reynolds Monday, August 17th @ 6:00 PM An exciting evening of magic, ventriloquism, and balloon animals. Note: The performance will be conducted without the clown costume. (Registration required).

 How to Register & Library Hours

Because space is limited for several of these hands-on workshops, parents are encouraged to register their children early by calling the library at 518.747.6743.

The complete summer programming brochure is attached to this article for your convenience.

Click here to view the event flyers.