Summer Programs for Tweens & Teens
For those entering 5th grade in September, unless otherwise noted. All programs require registration. For questions or for help registering, please contact Maureen McGrath, Young Adult Program Coordinator, at teen@pawlinglibrary.
Special Events
Friday, June 7
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
We’ll have a variety of projects that you can make to give as gifts for your dad, grandfather, favorite uncle, or other special person in your life. The library will supply materials and instructions—just bring your creativity and imagination!
Wednesday, June 12
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Amanda Greenfield of the Grace Smith House will present this second workshop on teen dating. Greenfield will continue with the goals of Love Shouldn't Hurt and expand into #RelationshipGoals: Building Respectful & Equitable Relationships. Relationships are built on a foundation of respect and equity. Participants will gain tools and language that will enable them to build healthy friendships and/or dating relationships, as well as gain an understanding of boundaries and how to set them in a relationship. This workshop will be presented in English and Spanish. This workhop is for age 13 & up. Registration is required.
Amanda Greenfield de Grace Smith House presentará este segundo taller sobre citas entre adolescentes. Greenfield continuará con los objetivos de Love Shouldn't Hurt y se expandirá a #RelationshipGoals: Construyendo relaciones respetuosas y equitativas. Las relaciones se construyen sobre una base de respeto y equidad. Los participantes obtendrán herramientas y lenguaje que les permitirán construir amistades y/o relaciones de pareja saludables, así como comprender los límites y cómo establecerlos en una relación. Este taller se presentará en inglés y español. Este taller es para mayores de 13 años. Es necesario registrarse.
Sponsored by The Grace Smith House.
Friday, July 12
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Oakley Starr has invited his friends to watch a scary movie but someone wants to stop the screening? Will Oakley be able to show the film? Will the saboteur get away with it?
Tweens and teens are invited to this mystery game night. Participants will be assigned a character when they register. There will be pregame activities to create excitement and if the mystery is solved, the Library will screen a “scary movie” on a date to be announced. Pizza will be served. Registration is required.
Thursday, July 18
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Join us for a fun paint party that we will use black light paint on canvas. Then we'll turn on the black lights and enjoy our creations! Registration is required.
Friday, July 26
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
It’s a race around the world! Visit the seven country stations and do the themed activity. Will you be the first to finish all the tasks and return “home”? Registration required.
Thursday, August 8
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
We'll use special kits to make candies in all sorts of shapes like hamburgers, sushi, or animals! Registration required
Friday, August 9
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
In the Kingdom of Eldoria, set inside a video game, where shadows have started to swallow the light, a young hero, Aria, steps into her own story. The darkness, spread by the wicked prince of shadows, threatens to erase all the joy and brightness from the kingdom. Aria has a fierce determination to challenge the prince of shadows and lift her kingdom out of gloom.
Participants will need to solve a series of puzzles to help Aria save her kingdom. Registration is required
End of Summer Party with Tacos and Cones
Friday, August 23
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
All summer reading challenge participants are invited to join us to celebrate all the readers in our community. In addition to ice cream from our friends at Tacos and Cones, we'll have games, crafts, and other activities for all ages to enjoy. The computers will be available for after-hours play and our Nintendo Switch will be on and ready for Mario Kart action.
Our final raffle for summer reading prizes will also be held at this event. Winners do not need to be present to win. Don't miss the crowning of a new Mayor of Ice Cream Town, the award for the youth in our community who logs the most time spent reading in summer 2024, and gets first dibs on ice cream at the party.
Registration preferred, though not required. This program is for those who have participated in summer reading and their families. Registration for this event opens June 12.
Weekly Programs and Book/Game Club
Mondays, Beginning July 1
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Learn to play chess or enhance your skills at this 10-week intergenerational chess program for ages 10 years through adults. All skill levels are welcome! The one-hour classes will be taught by National Master Matan Prilleltensky and will feature a mix of instruction and supervised play.
Matan is the associate director of the National Scholastic Chess Foundation. He has coached students of all levels, from pure beginners to children competing in the World Youth Championship. Matan resides in Pawling. Registration is required.
Made possible by a grant from the Pawling Community Foundation with support from Stewart’s Holiday Match program.
Wednesdays, Beginning, July 10
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Hang out with your friends or make some new ones at this weekly meet-up to play board games and use the Library’s Nintendo Switch. We’ll introduce new games and have snacks.
Registration suggessted.
Friday, June 21 & August 16
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
During this bi-montly game series, the teen and adult Sherlock Holmes book clubs will join up to play Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective game. After being presented with a case, the game puts the players in the shoes of the famous detective’s assistants, helping him to solve a mystery using newspapers, maps and more. Participants are encouraged to attend the adult or teen book clubs on alternate months. Registration is required.
Support for this program is provided by the Jan Stauber Grant Program of the Beacon Society .
Tuesday, July 9
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
This book and game club is to introduce teens to Sherlock Holmes and the work of Arthur Conan Doyle.
This month, we will read the short story, The Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle and meet to talk about the tale. The program will continue throughout the year, alternating monthly between book talks and game nights. In addition to the Arthur Conan Doyle tales, we will read the graphic novel series, Enola Holmes, and/or the Young Sherlock Holmes series. Registrants will receive a copy of the book when they register.
Support for this program is provided by the Jan Stauber Grant Program of the Beacon Society.
Registration is required.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteens is a year-round volunteer opportunity for ages 11 & up. The group meets twice a month to plan or work on service projects to benefit the Library and the Pawling community. Since the group started last fall, they have had a litter collection in the Village, learned about and helped to remove invasive plant species at Lake Side Park, wrapped all the books given as gifts during our annual visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus as well as helped at the party, assisted at a local ESL class, and created a Giving Tree to benefit the Dutchess SPCA. The group will have new projects in the new year and new members are welcome.
Meeting dates: The first and third Wednesday of each month at 5 pm to 6:30 pm. There may be additional dates depending on the project.
The Pawling Library is now a Volunteer Certification Organization through the Points of Light Organization. Volunteers who meet the required annual hours for their age group will be recognized with a letter from the President of the United States and possibly other awards. For more information about the Presidential Volunteer Award, please visit our volunteer page: https://www.pawlingfreelibrary.org/community-service/