Even though you may be staying close to home this summer, the library can keep you busy and active. Once again, Quinte Conservation has provided parking passes for you to borrow! These passes allow you to park at no charge at Conservation Areas including Massassauga Point, Vanderwater, and more. We have included these passes in Adventure Kits, which come with resources to use while you’re out adventuring. Kits include a metal detector, scavenger hunt game and more. The kits each have a guide to our Conservation Areas – you might discover a new place to explore!. Visit https://www.quinteconservation.ca/ for more information.

This year we’re adding Provincial Parks passes to our kits, courtesy of Ontario Parks. One of these, The Provincial Park Birding Adventure Kit, is extra-special thanks to Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory and includes binoculars, scavenger hunt and more as well as the Provincial Parks pass. If you’re inspired to dive deeper into Birding, check out the the Spring Birding Festival at https://peptbo.ca/sbf/. We’re joining in the fun with a storytime where we’ll be discovering birds in our own backyards. Email Joanna [email protected] to receive this storytime to watch on demand.

Other provincial park kits include Insect Investigations, Sandcastle Extravaganza and Outdoor Adventures. Thanks to Sandbanks Provincial Park for providing great workbooks and activities which are included in the kits. To borrow a kit, call any branch of the library or place a hold at peclibrary.org. Search for “Adventure Kits”.

If you’re headed to Wellington Rotary Beach, you may wish to pick up a day use pass from any branch of the library or Shire Hall. These are expected to be available after May 21. Unlike the other passes available, the Rotary Beach pass does not need to be returned. You can keep it for the whole summer. You’ll need a pass (or pay an entry fee) from 9-5 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from May until the end of September. The Wellington Rotary Beach pass is only available to residents, and we’ll need to record your name and postal code when you reserve.

Aspiring anglers will be delighted to know that the TackleShare program is back. Initiated by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and sponsored by Ontario Power Generation, the TackleShare Program allows you to try fishing at no cost. Borrow a rod and reel plus an assortment of tackle and give it a try! You will also have the opportunity to win fishing prizes! Find “Fish Along with TackleShare” on YouTube or the TackleShare Loaner Site Facebook page.

For techies, Discovery Kits are also available! These include resources that help boost science, technology, engineering, arts and math skills, including robots, coding, and more. You can request any of these items online at peclibrary.org or by calling your local branch and we’ll arrange contactless curbside pickup. For more information about any of these kits, visit peclibrary.org, call your local branch or email [email protected].

-Liz Zylstra