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Real County Public Library Leakey

REAL River Rangers - Summer Reading Program

REAL River Rangers - Summer Reading Program
Children ages 5 to 13 are invited to join us at the library for 9 Summer Reading Sessions in June and July. REAL River Rangers will participate in action-packed programs that include local experts, nature labs, activities and arts and crafts. The program will meet on Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please come by the library to register. For more information, call 830-232-5199.
  • REAL River Rangers - Summer Reading Program
  • 2024-06-05T10:00:00-05:00
  • 2024-07-31T12:00:00-05:00
  • Children ages 5 to 13 are invited to join us at the library for 9 Summer Reading Sessions in June and July. REAL River Rangers will participate in action-packed programs that include local experts, nature labs, activities and arts and crafts. The program will meet on Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please come by the library to register. For more information, call 830-232-5199.

REAL River Rangers Program Highlights

2024

 Wednesday, June 5

Skins and Skulls                            

Explore with local expert Jacob Gonzales, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Garner State Park.  He will provide a real “show and tell” on select mammals native to the area.  Join us outside for our Nature Tracker’s challenge where we discover and identify footprints and other sign from our wildlife visitors.  Later, children gather together to make animal sack puppets while others get busy making their own tracks!

Wednesday, June 12                   

Amazing Amphibians.  Really Cool Reptiles.

Explore the world of amphibians and reptiles with our local herpetologist, trained biologist and author Terry Hibbitts.  Real snakes equals real fun for those who participate in this program.  And, some might get up close and personal with a few new slithery friends! Follow us outside to make amazing Bubble Snakes then back inside to finish the day creating silly, google-eyed dancing snakes to take home.

Wednesday, June 19

Be Rock Star!                                 

Explore the exciting topic of rocks and geology with JAC, our very own local rock enthusiast and rancher. Our team will “rock the library” with a program including a rock lesson and “show and tell”, rock experiments, an outside “LET’S ROCK” scavenger hunt and a crafty creation fit for a true Rock Star!  Are you ready to ROCK!

Wednesday, June 26

Feathered Friends                       

Birds of a feather flock together?  Explore the wild world of birds with local expert Elizabeth Tidwell, Wildlife Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Uvalde. Kids will learn about a variety of birds and specific beak adaptations to access available food sources.  Kids will “hand” feather a bigger-than-life Painted Bunting and create something for their very own outdoor birding adventures.

Wednesday, July 3

Smokey the Bear                          

Wow! Who doesn’t love Smokey the Bear?

Join the fun as we celebrate Smokey’s 80th birthday in Hill Country style with balloons, candles and delicious Texas-sized sugar cookies.   We upload the party video to the U.S. Forest Service and understand they release party videos from around the country to morning television on Smokey’s birthday, August 9th. Learn all about why Smokey was created and how we can help with wildfire prevention and management.

Wednesday, July 10

BEE Happy!                                     

Have you heard the buzz? Our local expert and Bee Keeper Mary will join us to discuss the incredible world of bees. Kids will taste test a variety of honeys from our Honey Wheel, learn to dance and communicate like a Bee, try their own hand at collecting pollen, and so much more. A Bee-autiful craft follows for everyone to enjoy.

Wednesday, July 17                     

It’s Owl Good                                 

WHO-o o-o knew the librarians at your Real County Public Library could school you on owls? Well, they can! Join us for a fun 2 hours learning about owls, their habits, their habitats and their pellets. Kids will dissect sterilized owl pellets, make observations and examine their work under microscopes. I wonder what owls eat? Let’s find out together. Later, kids come together to craft their own mysterious bird of the night. It really is OWL good!

Wednesday, July 24

Archeology Investigators          

Maybe You’ll Be an Archeologist. (Great book by the way!) An archeologist is someone who finds and studies artifacts and archeological sites to learn about the people who were here long before us.

Diane Dismukes, VP, Hill Country Archeological Society, Kerrville, Texas, will join us to talk about archeology.  It’s not just what you find, it’s what you find out!  She will demonstrate how early humans hunted with the atlatl.  We will also learn about a Native American hunting technique using Rabbit Sticks. Kids have a chance to master the skills with expert coaches by their side. Later, we re-create the lost art of Painted Pebbles.

Wednesday, July 31

Flower Power and Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head Local expert Rainey Bingham, County Extension Agent, Real County, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, teaches us everything we need to know about water and wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country. Sort of a new version of Wet ’n Wild, we think!  Have fun creating some native wildflower art to take home.  Oh, and did someone mention a squishy squirt toy and water balloon activity?