STANTON, KY — Laughter and splashing water echoed through the trees on Thursday, July 23rd, as children from the Powell County Public Library stepped out of the stacks and into the wilderness for a special hands-on nature adventure at The Wilds, hosted by Red Oaks Forest School.
The collaborative event, designed to blend literacy with outdoor exploration, offered local families an immersive morning centered around community, storytelling, and open-ended play in the heart of nature.
Storytime by the Fire
The day began at the camp’s rustic fire circle, where host Christina Bruno welcomed the excited group of young librarians-turned-explorers. Gathering close around the stone pit, the children listened intently as Bruno read aloud the nature-themed book, Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt. The story opened the children’s eyes to the hidden world of plants and subterranean critters waiting to be discovered.
The special interactive story time was made possible by the Community Early Childhood Council (CECC). Thanks to the council’s generous sponsorship, the magic of the morning didn’t have to end at the farm; every attending family received their very own copy of Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt to take home and enjoy together.
Farm and Stream Exploration
Following the story, the children set off to discover the sights and sounds of the farm at The Wilds before heading down to the property’s winding creek, which quickly became the highlight of the day. Armed with curiosity, the kids eagerly splashed into the cool, shallow waters.
To aid in their scientific discoveries, each child was equipped with a specialized toolkit containing a magnifying cup and a pair of tweezers. These tools allowed them to turn over stones and examine tiny water critters and unique pebbles up close.
Music and Creativity on the Water’s Edge
The creek bed quickly transformed into an outdoor festival of art and music. Host Christina Bruno kept the energy high and the children entertained at the water’s edge by strumming lively tunes on her mini guitar.
As the music played, the kids unleashed their creativity. Bruno treated the children to face painting, while the young explorers hunted through the water for the perfect smooth rocks to use as stone canvases. Using individual watercolor paint sets provided to each child, they decorated their discoveries right on the spot, creating a personalized, wet-ink keepsake of their adventure.
By combining physical exploration, scientific tools, art, and reading, the joint effort between the Powell County Public Library and Red Oaks Forest School successfully proved that some of the best learning happens entirely outside the classroom.
The library’s summer of fun is not over yet. All children up to age 12 are invited to wrap up the season at the End of Summer Reading Celebration on Wednesday, July 29th.
The grand finale event will feature a high-energy foam party, cold treats, and an array of water activities to beat the summer heat. The celebration is divided into two age-specific time slots:
- Ages 0 to 6: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Ages 7 to 12: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The library welcomes everyone to attend the party, even if they did not complete their reading logs. However, those dedicated young readers who did finish their logs will be recognized during the festivities, receiving an official achievement certificate and their highly anticipated summer reading dog tag.
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