Reading Rocks

2026 Reading Rocks Dates:

June 8-July 30
Check the calendar for all dates & times

Join us for a summer filled with reading and fun!
NEW locations!

Reading Rocks provides reading activities for eight weeks during the summer in conjunction with the School District II’s Free Lunch in the Parks, a program that serves over 50,000 free lunches during the course of the summer. This student reading engagement initiative is designed to help students continue reading over the summer when reading levels are known to drop. Reading Rocks provides children with free books, reading mentorship, and story telling by community leaders to keep children engaged in reading while away from school.

Presented by:

Stop the “summer slide” and join us!

Locations for Summer 2026
New locations!

Mondays

10:00-11:00
Big Sky Elementary
St. John’s Mission Ridge

10:00-11:30
Hawthorn Park
(Rec2U)

12:00-1:00
Castle Rock Park
Veteran’s Park

Tuesdays

10:00-11:30
South Park
(Rec2U)

12:00-1:00
Pioneer Park
Veteran’s Park

1:00-2:15
Terry Park
(Rec2U)

Wednesdays

10:00-11:30
Veteran’s Park
(Rec2U)

12:00-1:00
Castle Rock Park
Optimist Park

1:00-2:15
Sacajawea Park
(Rec2U)

Thursdays

10:00-11:30
Bitterroot Elementary
Miles Ave Elementary

10:00-11:30
Rose Park
(Rec2U)

12:00-1:00
Pioneer Park
Optimist Park

1:00-2:15
Poly Vista
(Rec2U)

New this year:

Rec2U Partnership

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Billings Parks & Recreation Rec2U! program. A FREE recreation program for kids of any age. Yard games, sports, arts and crafts and much more. We will be set up at park locations distributing books (please note no storyteller will be on site). Make sure you check the schedule for daily park locations.

We are also excited to bring Reading Rocks to several of our area schools! You can find us at Big Sky Elementary, Miles Avenue and Bitterroot Elementary.

We have a great time at Reading Rocks!
There are a lot of ways to join us.
Get involved in 2026:

Steps to become a volunteer:

Program Volunteers: We ask that volunteers commit to their location at least five times during the summer. Each day starts with unloading and setting up the books, the tent, and blankets. Then, volunteers help children find books, read with them, and pack things up.

Storyteller Volunteers: Storytellers sign up for individual sessions and are welcome to sign up for more across the different dates and locations. Please ensure you select each specific date and location you are interested in. Multiple dates can be selected in one registration.

Important Requirement: Background Check: For the safety of all participants, all volunteers are required to complete a name-based background check. It will be processed through the school district’s HR department. Background form is included in the sign up.

Donate new or gently used books: We LOVE books! Donate recent (less than 5 years old), gently used or new books to be distributed throughout the program. Interested people may drop books off at the Lincoln Center front desk.

Volunteer to be in the park! Volunteer to be a Storyteller!

Questions or problems?

Contact the Education Foundation for BPS at (406) 281-5150 or email Leslie Clark with any questions.