Parks as learning grounds? This summer, elementary children and families can have fun and learn together while enjoying the outdoors.
Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) is bringing books, stories, and engaging activities to local parks through its annual “Story Time in the Park” program. The initiative aims to help children grow into more confident young readers.
The program offers free read-aloud sessions, complimentary books, and interactive activities in local parks. It empowers elementary-aged students to build essential literacy skills and expand their vocabulary. It also encourages children to develop a lifelong love for reading before they return to the classroom in the fall. Families will also receive ideas for hands-on activities that promote learning and quality time with their kids.
The initiative is designed for elementary school-aged children, but it also welcomes all members of the family. It partners with the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County parks to bring reading activities to the community. These locations serve as summer lunch meal sites, creating a comprehensive support system for families. The free lunches are available to anyone 18 and younger.
Program Launch and Schedule
APS will hold a kickoff event for Story Time in the Park from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 7 at Isotopes Park. The district invites all families with children to attend and enjoy a day of books and snacks.
The reading program runs from June 8 through July 17, with sessions taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The initiative offers reading activities Monday through Thursday and serves daily lunches Monday through Friday during the same time frame. There will be no program on June 19 to observe Juneteenth. The program will also be paused during the week of June 29–July 3.
APS lists the 17 city and county parks hosting the reading program and providing free lunches on its Extended Learning website.
Student Readers Take the Lead
APS has hired high school students, from freshmen to graduating seniors, to serve as the program’s official student readers. These students aged 14 to 18 will work as role models, with two readers assigned to each of the 17 participating parks. This opportunity gives students work-based learning experience.
“We want students to have fun books that engage them, but any kind of reading, especially read aloud, is important to students so that they start to love reading,” said Tammie Torres, Executive Director of Extended Learning.
Student readers represent diverse backgrounds, including actors, thespians, student senate members, and jazz band musicians. They are undergoing training and background checks and will be clearly identifiable at the parks.