Spring Jones County Wild for Reading Story Walk ® Challenge
Central Park, Jones County
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
This spring families can look forward to participating
in the Spring Jones County Wild for Reading StoryWalk® Challenge! This fun family challenge will take place
from March 1st – May 31st, 2023, and is sponsored by the Jones County
Conservation Board, Anamosa Library & Learning Center, the Ross &
Elizabeth Baty Monticello Public Library, Cascade Public Library, Wyoming
Public Library, Every Child Reads Jones County, and the Friends of Jones County
Conservation and Nature Center.
Participating is easy! StoryWalk® Challenge puzzle sheets can be
obtained from any one of the challenge area sponsors or be downloaded from the
Jones County Conservation website at https://www.jonescountyiowa.gov/conservation/
With puzzle sheet and pen or pencil in
hand families can head to the Jones County Wild for Reading StoryWalk® Trail at
Central Park to search each StoryWalk® sign to collect the letters that will help
solve the puzzle. Clues on the puzzle
sheet will help you.
Once the Spring
StoryWalk® Challenge puzzle is solved, go to one of the challenge sponsors to
receive individual participation prizes and get your family name entered into the
Grand Prize drawing to be held in early June. The Spring StoryWalk® Challenge Grand Prize will
include entrance tickets to the National Mississippi River Museum &
Aquarium in Dubuque, gift shop gift certificates, and lunch/meal gift cards
sponsored by the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Friends
of Jones County Conservation and Nature Center.
The Jones County Wild for Reading StoryWalk® Trail,
found at Central Park, includes 20 interactive signs depicting a different storybook,
which changes seasonally. Families traverse
the winding wooded path as they read the story and participate in interactive prompts
on each sign.
Research has shown that early childhood reading
experiences, opportunities to build vocabularies, and literacy rich
environments are the most effective ways to support the development of literacy
and cognitive skills. These skills
ensure that children are prepared for success in school and throughout life. The
StoryWalk® trail combines literacy with the many benefits of active outdoor experiences
where families are encouraged to not only read but use their imaginations, communicate
their ideas, develop their thinking and oral language skills, and tell and
listen to stories.
We challenge your family to solve the first Spring Jones
County Wild for Reading StoryWalk® Challenge!
Happy spring and hoppy letter hunting!
