Tuesday, July 2, 2024
"Adventure Begins at Your Library" is the summer reading theme at the Gatesville Public Library, and participating children and their families recently experienced adventure at Mother Neff State Park.
To learn about Mother Neff State Park, the children first began work on their Junior Ranger Journals. Activities were completed at the library during summer Story Time, so that kiddos could earn Junior Ranger badges. Then, staff and volunteers from the park came to the library and taught over 100 library visitors about proper camping practices at Mother Neff, how to act in a state park, and common birds that can be seen there.
Finally, 79 folks went to Mother Neff State Park for a visit. Park staff and volunteers set up different stations, so visitors could learn about park mammals, hummingbirds, camping, and bird watching. Everyone enjoyed hiking to the tower and the cave, and then the new Junior Rangers were sworn in and received their badges. As icing on the cake, each new Junior Ranger also received $10 from the Friends of the Library to spend at the Mother Neff State Park Gift Shop.
Many thanks go to park Superintendent Melissa Chadwick as well as her staff and volunteers. A special thank you is extended to the Friends of the Library for helping make the summer reading program such a success.
