Healthy Schuylkill Youth: Get Outdoors
Want to explore Schuylkill County's Outdoors but need more information and resources?
Launched in 2020, VISION offers a unique opportunity to participating Schuylkill County Libraries and organizations...the Get Outdoors Backpacks. The backpacks can be borrowed from participating libraries and organizations, just like books, and include gadgets and guides to make your outdoor adventures fun and educational.
Backpacks for loan include: Audubon Society Birds or Insects and Spiders book, binoculars, bug viewer, magnifying glass, compass, maps, and more!
Participating Libraries and Organizations:
Ashland Public Library
Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library
Pottsville Free Public Library
Ringtown Area Library
Schuylkill Haven Free Public Library
Tamaqua Public Library
Shenandoah Area Free Public Library
Mahanoy City Public Library
Frackville Public Library
Mountainside Community Center
Schuylkill County's VISION*
Are you a Schuylkill County Library or Organization interested in making backpacks available in your community? Email [email protected] for more information.
Funded in part by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society and a grant from the Environmental Stewardship Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
In 2022, Healthy Schuylkill Youth became the new name of the long running Healthy Schuylkill Summer.
Healthy Schuylkill Summer is a program begun in 2012 that partnered with the Schuylkill County public libraries’ summer reading programs to bring healthy messages on exercise and nutrition to children of the county. In 2015 we served 13 libraries and reached almost 500 children and their families.
Childhood obesity is a serious issue in Schuylkill County and the United States. By providing brief, fun and interactive messages and experiences for the children in the reading programs, we can reach these children and families in a great setting over the summer.
Librarians have embraced the program:
“This program is helpful to families by reminding them to keep on the right track of eating right, exercising, and limiting sugar in order to stay a fit, happy and healthy family.”
“The lesson plans were wonderful and the children were excited to tell me what they had done outside each week. The library benefits from giving the children a positive and enjoyable experience that hopefully they will associate with libraries in the future. To combine the Healthy Schuylkill summer and the Library Reading Program is an excellent way to reach children.”
“Learning about healthy lifestyles cannot be overemphasized among children and adults; you provide resources for both parents and children to learn about how to implement healthy foods and activities into everyday living to accomplish better health. Thanks!”
Healthy Schuylkill Youth provides programs, resources, and services in libraries and communities all year round.
To learn more email [email protected].
Healthy Schuylkill Summer is a program begun in 2012 that partnered with the Schuylkill County public libraries’ summer reading programs to bring healthy messages on exercise and nutrition to children of the county. In 2015 we served 13 libraries and reached almost 500 children and their families.
Childhood obesity is a serious issue in Schuylkill County and the United States. By providing brief, fun and interactive messages and experiences for the children in the reading programs, we can reach these children and families in a great setting over the summer.
Librarians have embraced the program:
“This program is helpful to families by reminding them to keep on the right track of eating right, exercising, and limiting sugar in order to stay a fit, happy and healthy family.”
“The lesson plans were wonderful and the children were excited to tell me what they had done outside each week. The library benefits from giving the children a positive and enjoyable experience that hopefully they will associate with libraries in the future. To combine the Healthy Schuylkill summer and the Library Reading Program is an excellent way to reach children.”
“Learning about healthy lifestyles cannot be overemphasized among children and adults; you provide resources for both parents and children to learn about how to implement healthy foods and activities into everyday living to accomplish better health. Thanks!”
Healthy Schuylkill Youth provides programs, resources, and services in libraries and communities all year round.
To learn more email [email protected].