KRL’s summer programs provide opportunities for families

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Kitsap Regional Library’s 2025 Summer Learning program launched in May and continues to draw families across the county with free performances, reading challenges, and community events.

Now approaching its 70th year, Summer Learning is notable in 2025 as the library system celebrates 80 years of service in Kitsap County.

The Vuelta La Luna circus, a new addition this year, kicked off the season at Port Orchard Waterfront Park July 2. Featuring an aerialist, the performance drew families from across South Kitsap. It was booked by Port Orchard youth services librarian Chelsea Pemberton, who said she wanted something “a little different.”

“In February, we start planning for summer,” Pemberton said. “I was just kind of looking around in Kitsap and beyond and came across their website, and I just thought it would be pretty fun.”

“I think people enjoyed it, it was great,” said Kathleen Wilson, Port Orchard regional branch manager. “We never had the circus before.”

Throughout the summer, every KRL branch has hosted at least three live events ranging from taiko drumming and magic shows to science demonstrations and wildlife encounters.

“There are programs booked systemwide, all over the county,” Wilson said. “Sometimes we have the presenters do more than one location, sometimes it’s just special to one location.”

In South Kitsap, “Waterfront Wednesdays” take place weekly at Port Orchard’s waterfront gazebo, followed by free lunches for children in partnership with the South Kitsap School District. In Manchester, “Manchester Mondays” brought weekly shows across the street from the branch.

Nell Ramsay, youth services librarian at the Manchester branch, said the final show July 28, a visit from West Sound Wildlife, drew more than 200 people.

“Kids and adults had opportunities to ask questions and it was fantastic,” she said.

Beyond performances, the “Read Something” challenge encourages kids and adults to log up to 100 hours of reading over the summer. Prizes at various milestones include a book or journal, an octopus-themed tote bag, a pin or T-shirt, and entry into a prize drawing.

“The goal is to have students continue to read over the summer so that they don’t have that summer slide,” Wilson said. “You attain a certain reading level by the end of the year and you want to maintain that and even build on it going into the next school year.”

A second track, the “Do Something” challenge, invites participants to set a personal goal.

“Last year we had someone who built a treehouse with his uncle and that was his summer learning challenge,” Nell said.

Wilson credited the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation and Friends of the Library groups for making the program possible.

“They support us financially,” she said. “The foundation provides the prizes, the giveaways, the summer learning 100-hour shirts, and the books.”

Wilson said this year’s theme, “Dive Into Discovery”, continues a two-year focus on marine life, with original art and branding created by the library’s communications team.

“We have so much fun with our community in the summer,” she said. “Inviting everybody to come into the library, use our resources, and share in the community spirit that we have in the summertime.”