June 14 through August 2
The Teen & Tween Summer Reading Program (SRP) is open to students entering grades 5 – 12 in the fall.
Registration begins June 14. You can participate online using the Beanstack web site or app, or participate in person using a paper log.
How the Teen Reading Program works:
- Register using your preferred method – online or in person.
- Read 2 or more hours a week.
- Check in at the Youth Reference Desk each week beginning June 24 and get a scratch-off ticket and reveal your prize.
Complete all 6 weeks of the Summer Reading Program and turn in your reading record between Monday, July 29 and Sunday, August 11 to receive a goody bag and automatically be entered into the Final Prize Drawing to be held on Monday, August 12. Goody bags will continue to be available for pick-up until the beginning of the school year while supplies last.
Teen & Tween Events – See each event page for more details and to register. Registration may be required for Teen and Tween events.
Summer Adventure Photo Contest
Friday, June 14 – Friday, August 2
Grades 5 through 12
Submit an original photo of your summer adventures for a chance to win a gift card. Be sure to get creative and have fun! Submit up to one photo in each of three different categories: Dexter, Animals, and Summer. Deadline for all entries is Friday, August 2. More details will be found on the Library’s web site.
Wednesday, June 19 – Wednesday, July 31
Grades 5 – 12
Virtual Event
Myths, Monsters, and a Summer of Virtual Adventure… Pack your bags for a summer camp unlike any other. Teens are invited to participate in MiLibraryQuest beginning on June 19. Stay tuned for future prophecy updates! Check out the MiLibraryQuest web site to get started.
Dexter teens and tweens can participate in the Quest for a chance to win a gift card to a local business. Complete virtually at any time on our own. Want to work on the Quest in person with other teens? Join us at the library on Monday, July 22 at 2:00 pm for our “Adventure Trivia and MiLibraryQuest” event.
Teen Advisory Group (TAG)
Grades 7-12
Registration required
Teens in grades 7 through 12 meet during the summer to enjoy a pizza lunch then work on projects for the Summer Reading Program. TAG members also have the opportunity to help out at several events throughout the summer. This is a fun way to earn volunteer hours!
- Thursday, June 20, 1:00 – 2:30 pm – Registration begins Saturday, May 18
- Saturday, July 13, 1:00 – 2:30 pm – Registration begins Thursday, June 20
Tween Book Club
Grades 5 – 7
Registration required
Tween Book Club is for students in grades 5 through 7. Read this month’s book or theme and then join us for icebreakers, snack, discussion, and a related activity. Get a copy of the month’s book at the Youth Reference Desk after you register.
- Tuesday, June 18, 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Book: Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Registration begins Tuesday, May 21.
- Tuesday, July 16, 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Book: Space Case by Stuart Gibbs. Registration begins Tuesday, June 18.
Makerspace
Grades K-8
Drop-in Program; No registration required
Make, build, craft and explore. Participate in a variety of open-ended activities. We supply the materials and you supply the imagination.
- Wednesday, June 26, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, July 17, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Sand Art and Summer CraftsMonday, June 17
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Drop-in Program; No registration required
Teens and tweens can drop in to create sand art and make other fun summer crafts.
Introduction to ParkourMonday, June 24
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Monday, June 3
Phoenix Freerunning Academy pros will teach all aspects of movement, specializing in parkour and freerunning. Learn how to jump, roll, balance, vault, and more during this fun, action-filled workshop. Phoenix Freerunning Academy is Michigan’s first gym devoted to parkour.
Magic: The GatheringFriday, June 28
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Grades 5-12
Registration required; Begins Friday, May 17
Join us monthly for MTG tournament-style play on Friday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Prizes awarded to top players. Everyone in grades 6 through 12 with knowledge of game play and rules is invited to attend. Please bring a Commander deck to each session. This event is co-sponsored with 5 Healthy Towns and SRSLY Dexter.
Hobbit Door Craft
Monday, July 1
Please register for only 1 session:
- Session 1 – 1:30 – 2:30 pm
- Session 2 – 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Monday, June 3
If you’ve ever wanted to hang out with Hobbits in the shire or visit a fantasy world, this is the craft for you. Make a mini wreath that looks like a Hobbit or fairy door. Add your own touches to this unique decoration.
Percy Jackson Party
Tuesday, July 2
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Grades 3 – 8
Drop-in Program; No Registration required
Calling all Percy Jackson fans! Celebrate the book series and television show with crafts and activities. Anyone who loves the Percy Jackson series is welcome to drop in and join the fun!
Introduction to Performance Arts with the Motley Misfits
Tuesday, July 9
2:30 – 3:15 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Tuesday, June 11
Have you ever wanted to join the circus, or at least learn some of the skills you might see there? A performance artist from the Motley Misfits will demonstrate how to use flow props like hula hoops, poi, juggling hats, dancing silks, and spinning plates. You may even get a chance to try out some of these techniques!
Chess ClubWednesday, July 10
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Kids and Teens
Registration required; begins Wednesday, June 5
If you enjoy playing chess, join us for a special session of Chess Club this summer. Compete in tournament-style play or a casual game and improve your skills. All kids and teens with at least a basic knowledge of chess gameplay are welcome to attend. Chess sets will be provided by the Library for this event.
Painting Workshop with Katie Rothley
Thursday, July 11
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Thursday, June 13
Get creative with this artist-guided painting experience. Librarian and artist Katie Rothley will show you how to paint a hot air balloon on canvas using acrylic paints.
Teen Movie, Pizza, and CraftThursday, July 18
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Grades 7 – 12
Registration required; begins Tuesday, June 25
Come to the library to watch Dungeons and Dragons: Honor among Thieves (2023, PG-13) on the big screen and make a dragon egg craft. Pizza dinner will be provided.
Adventure Trivia and MiLibraryQuest
Monday, July 22
2:00 – 3:30 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Tuesday, June 25
Compete in a trivia challenge based around your favorite adventure-themed movies, books, series, and more! Then we’ll work together to solve this summer’s MiLibraryQuest challenge.
Creature Feature Teen/Tween Live Animal Program
Tuesday, July 23
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Wednesday, June 26
Dan Briere of The Little Creatures Co. will share a variety of wildlife in this fun and educational presentation for teens and tweens. Animals will include snakes, parrots, a giant African bullfrog, and more. This event is sponsored by Main Street Optometry.
Teens/Tweens-Only Life-Size Candyland
Friday, July 26
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Thursday, June 27
Join us for a special session of Life-Size Candyland especially for teens and tweens. Compete against friends in a giant version of the classic game, and see who will get to the Candy Castle first to win a prize.
Perler Bead ArtTuesday, July 30
1:00 – 2:30 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Tuesday, July 2
Join us for an awesome, casual craft. Follow a provided pattern, recreate your favorite character, or let your imagination run wild – the choice is yours. You can make art, keychains, jewelry, and more with these fusible beads.
Bad Art NightThursday, August 1
6:30 – 7:45 pm
Grades 5 – 12
Registration required; begins Tuesday, July 2
Come to the library to create the worst art you can make. That’s right – don’t worry about making something good, just enjoy the creative process! Many materials will be on hand for you to make your disasterpiece. At the end, we’ll vote on a “worst of the worst” to win a trophy commemorating their achievement.
