mySummer, Anythink’s annual summer experience program for all ages, returns May 22-July 31, 2018, with new partnerships and opportunities for adventure. With a mantra of READ THINK DO, mySummer continues to provide experiences that help bridge the summer learning gap. Anythink staff help participants of all ages discover stories that inspire and challenge, and Anythink’s interactive programs are designed to encourage critical thinking and exploration. A 2016 national study by the RAND Corporation – the largest and most comprehensive study on summer learning to date – showed that students who attend summer learning programs like mySummer improved their reading and math skills in the following school year, and can help to close the achievement gaps between students of high- and low-income families.

This year, mySummer is hosted in partnership with Colorado Parks & Wildlife, a collaboration that encourages an emphasis on the state and its natural resources. mySummer programs highlight everything from backyard bugs and birds of prey to archery and campsite sing-alongs for audiences of all ages. Participants are invited to continue the learning in nature – all mySummer members will receive a Colorado Parks & Wildlife gift certificate that can be applied towards entrance to any of Colorado’s 41 state parks, a fishing license, campsite reservation or annual parks pass. To complement this effort to encourage participants to visit Colorado’s state parks and explore the great outdoors, Anythink customers will also be able to check out fishing poles and tackle boxes donated by Eagle Claw. Everyone is encouraged to share their adventures with the world using the #mySummer2018 hashtag across social media platforms.

“We’re excited to host mySummer in conjunction with Colorado State Parks & Wildlife,” says Suzanne McGowan, Anythink’s director of customer experience. “Reading is an important part of summer learning, but people need more than just books to spark their curiosity and expand their horizons. Anythink’s mySummer 2018 experience helps customers of all ages gain access to state parks and experiential learning through nature.”

“We’re thrilled to work with Anythink to help extend their mySummer program to include the opportunity to visit one of Colorado’s state parks,” says Jennifer Anderson, Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s education manager. “The ability to take the kind of excitement kids feel when reading a story about new places and experiences, and then give them an opportunity to experience it directly in Colorado’s outdoors is exactly what inspires us to do what we do every day at Colorado Parks and Wildlife.”

Beginning May 22, customers are invited to become mySummer members in-person or online at anythinklibraries.org/mySummer. Members can pick up their Colorado Parks & Wildlife gift certificate at their local Anythink. Community members are invited to bring the whole family to Anythink’s mySummer kick-off celebrations, where attendees can have fun while learning more about upcoming events and opportunities with Anythink staff and volunteers from Colorado State Parks & Wildlife. A full list of mySummer kick-off parties is below.

mySummer Kick-off Celebrations

Anythink Perl Mack – Tuesday, May 22, 11 am-1 pm

Anythink Brighton – Wednesday, May 23, 2:30-5:30 pm

Anythink Wright Farms – Thursday, May 24, 11 am-3 pm

Anythink Bennett – Saturday, May 26, 1-4 pm

Anythink Commerce City – Saturday, May 26, 2-4 pm

Anythink Huron Street – Saturday, June 2, 11 am-1 pm

Anythink York Street – Saturday, June 2, 11 am-3 pm