More than 50 Dayton youths have spent the past six weeks learning that reading is fun.
The Dayton branch of the Lyon County Library hosted a summer reading program, "Discovering New Trails," which concluded this week with a party and raffle of prizes donated by area merchants. The students began meeting June 16.
"I've really had fun this year," said Brandi Barnhart, the one-year library employee and five-year volunteer who was in charge of this year's program.
"We've done a lot of things over the last five weeks," Barnhart said after the fifth-week puppet show. "The (readers) had five weeks to read five books, or to listen."
Students were divided into four age groups - Listening Bookaroos, with children 6 and under; Reading Explorers, ages 6 through fifth grade; Sheriff's Book Posse, sixth through eighth grades; and Teen Trailblazers, ninth through 12th grade.
They met each Wednesday or Thursday for crafts, special programs, weekly prizes and, of course, reading adventures.
Programs have included puppet shows, a hike and a visit from a Pony Express re-enactor. The students also wrote summer journals.
- Sally Taylor
