reading rocks 2024
 June 12th - July 25th
12:15 to 1:00
​Thursday Evening: 5:15 to 6:00 pm

Reading Rocks provides reading activities for seven 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.  Reading Rocks 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.
Stop the "summer slide" and join us at Reading Rocks!

Locations for Summer 2024:

Mondays: Castle Rock Park and Central Park
Tuesdays: Central Park and Pioneer Park
Wednesdays: Hawthorne Park and Orchard Elementary
Thursdays: Veteran's Park and Pioneer Park
Thursday Evenings: South Park

New this year: Middle School Reading Rocks at Billngs Public Library!

• Tuesdays, June 18th to July 23rd, 3:15 to 4:00 pm
• For ages 11-14
• From graphic novels to fanasty series - we'll share great books, make colorful art journals, eat snack, and leave with a new book!
• Free and no registration required

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We have a great time at Reading Rocks! There are lots of ways to join us.
Get involved in 2024:​

• ​Volunteer as a storyteller that reads a short book.  The storyteller may also offer an activity for the children that relates to your organization in a fun and interesting way.
• Volunteer to talk about topics of interest (e.g. a fireman talks about fire safety, a bicyclist discusses rules of the road and bicycle parts, an artist describes how he/she makes a sculpture, etc.).
• Volunteer to assist in distributing books at Reading Rocks locations and times.
• 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.
  

Interested in volunteering as a Reading Mentor?
Step 1: Fill out an application form:
Click Here to Apply Directly Online 
Download a volunteer application for print: Here

Step 2: Download, print, and mail to the Foundation:
Authorization for background check form: Here

Mail background check forms to Education Foundation, 415 N 30th St., Billings, MT  59101

Contact the Education Foundation for BPS at (406) 281-5150 or readingrocks@billingsschools.org with any questions.​

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A huge Thank You to the supporters that make Reading Rocks possible!

Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation
Friends of Billings Public Library
United Way of Yellowstone County
Centennial Youth Foundation
RBC Foundation
Downtown Exchange Club Billings
Billings West Rotary
Billings Association of REALTORS
Town Pump Foundation
​Mary Alice Fortin Foundation for Youth Enrichment
Believe in Reading
​Walmart Community Foundation
Nora Roberts Foundation
​This House of Books
PacificSource Healthy Communities Program