Library Enrollment
Celebrate Smokey’s 80th Birthday by joining the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge. This challenge will be available through the online Beanstack platform as well as a printable challenge paper log. The challenge will engage youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explore their local environment. The challenge is designed to complement the 2024 Summer Reading Program theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”
When
Libraries can run the challenge anytime from January 1st to November 28th, 2024.
Who
Challenge is geared for ages 4 to 10, but all ages are welcome.
What Libraries Get
Enrolled State libraries will receive at no cost:
- Incentive item quantities as outlined below for each library in your State:
- One roll of 500 Smokey Stickers
- 50 Smokey Cards
- Smokey Stamp for use on paper challenge, completion certificates, and other items.
(Note - we will ship items in early January to one central location within your State for internal distribution. If you do not have a State courier system, please note that on the form below so we can determine alternative shipping options.)
- One Smokey Bear Story Book - Teacher’s Version for shared use by libraries in your State.
- Access for you and all of your State’s public libraries to a digital toolkit containing everything needed to promote and implement the challenge, including:
- Printable challenge paper log, posters, bookmarks, sticker/button templates, completion certificates, coloring sheets, “Pin the Hat on Smokey” game, Smokey’s Reading List, and additional prizes.
- Graphics and images for online platforms, social media, monitors, and websites.
Reporting
Enrolled States will be asked to provide basic follow-up metrics regarding program engagement to the USDA Forest Service.
Enroll your State by answering the questions below. You’ll get access via email to the digital toolkit (which can be shared with all public libraries in your State), and your free incentive items will ship in early January.
The USDA Forest Service may reach out to you regarding questions or clarification concerning the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge.
Thank you to the Georgia Public Library Service for helping to develop this program.
Note: Enrollment form should be completed by a statewide library representative. If you represent a library, or library system, within your State, please reach out to your appropriate statewide representative to enroll. Please email Rachel Bayer, Environmental Education Specialist with the USDA Forest Service, at rachel.bayer@usda.gov with questions regarding the reading challenge and your State’s enrollment.
