The Baltimore County Public Library system has launched a summer reading challenge, themed “A Universe of Stories,” and associated summer programming to help kids stay engaged in reading and learning throughout the summer.

From The Baltimore Sun:

The Summer Reading Challenge is a countywide program in which kids can earn prizes by reading books and participating in activities throughout the summer. Conni Strittmatter, youth and family engagement manager for the Baltimore County Public Library system, said the program is designed as something of an academic bridge.

“We believe that we serve a role in the community to help fill in the gap of summer when it comes to learning for the kids in the county,” Strittmatter said. “Our summer reading challenge encourages children to read, experience and to share throughout the summer.”

The article notes the goal of the program overall is to keep kids from experiencing the “summer slide” where drops in skill and literacy can occur when kids spend months unengaged in educational endeavors.

To learn more read The Baltimore Sun.