Falcon fun: The Academy launches "Paws to Read" summer reading program

  • Published
  • By Amber Baillie
  • Academy Spirit staff writer
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Parents and children enjoyed hot dogs, giveaways and a visit from the Academy's friendly mascot "The Bird" June 30 at the Academy's Community Center Library to kick-off this year's Air Force summer reading program, "Paws to Read."

The event, sponsored by Academy Athletics, is one of several activities scheduled through August at the library to help kids, teens and adults retain their reading skills and increase their love of reading.

"Studies have shown children who do not read during summer breaks lose their reading skills, entering the next grade weaker in their skills than when they left in the spring," said Melanie East, a library program coordinator. "Summer reading encourages children to read and retain their skills so they're ready to enter the next grade at the same or at a higher reading level."

The Defense Department selected this year's theme from the Illinois Reading Enrichment and Development Program; it includes the little dog Rocket from the book "How Rocket Learned to Read" by Tad Hills as the mascot.

Participants began signing up for the program June 30.

"Families or individuals come to the library to sign up," East said. "They can check out books from our collection, including our eBooks, read them, and then bring them back today through August to count for the program."

East said the Academy's reading program caters to all ages. The library includes a "Read-to-Me" group for ages 0 -6, juveniles, teens and adults.

"We had 540 participate in last year's summer reading program, consisting of 374 kids and teens, and 166 adults," she said. "We hope to reach last year's numbers or even exceed it."

Other scheduled activities include crafts, regular story time, a demonstration by the Academy military working dog teams, a therapy dog visit and a petting zoo during the final event to wrap up the program Aug. 9.

"Watching a child's face light up when they begin to sight read and listening to them explain that they're reading above their grade level brings joy to the entire library staff," East said.

USAFA "Paws to Read" events at the Community Center library

· July 7: El Paso County Parks and Wildlife animals furs, skulls and tracks display.

· July 11: Millibo Art Theatre performance of "Book Dawg," a light-hearted musical suitable for the whole family, 6:30 p.m.

· July 18: Academy military working dog team demonstration, 11 a.m.
"Miss Melanie" from the library will host "Lettin' the Dogs Out Night Read." Event includes crafts, stories and a bedtime snack. 6:30 p.m.

· August 1: K9-5 therapy dogs visit, 9:30-10:30 a.m.