Crystal Hartery is ready to welcome children at this year’s summer reading program at the High Prairie Municipal Library.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

She loves to read, she loves to teach, and she loves children.

It’s a perfect fit for Crystal Hartery, who is this year’s summer reading program co-ordinator at the High Prairie Municipal Library.

Hartery is putting the final touches on the popular program which encourages children to read over the summer holidays. Of course, reading is mixed with plenty of fun and adventure along the way.

“I’m excited about this program. It’s my passion. It’s my career,” she says.

This year’s theme centres around “wild” and that’s the ride children can expect to go on.

“We’ll take everyone on a wild adventure,” says Hartery. “We’ll visit a different destination each week. We will be going places and people will be coming to us.”

Hartery, 21 is entering her fourth year at the University of Alberta Bachelor of Education program. She is taking the Teacher Education North program which is training her to teach in rural areas with aboriginal populations. She is studying to be an elementary school teacher.

“I’ve wanted to teach since I was six,” she says.

There are four groups in this year’s program, which runs from July 4 to Aug. 26:

* The 3-5-year-old program class must be accompanied by a parent and/or guardian. It runs Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.

* The 6-8-year-olds have two classes. The 6-8A class runs Monday and Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. while the 6-8B class runs Tuesday and Thursday from 10-a.m. to noon.

* The 9-year-old and over class runs Tuesday and Thursday from 10-a.m. to noon.

Registration for the program is an extremely low $10 for the entire summer. Cost includes crafts, field trips within the town, prizes and much more.

Pre-registration is being accepted now during business hours and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hartery says there is a limit of 25 children in each class and there will be no exceptions.

“Once a class is full, it is full,” says Hartery. “There is no option for additional classes or groups.”

The last day to register is June 20 starting at 1 p.m.

Shelby Laughlin is assisting Hartery with the program.