The USDA Forest Service has invited all Pennsylvania public libraries to collaborate on a free reading program celebrating Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday. Smokey Bear is an American campaign and advertising icon of the U.S. Forest Service in the Wildfire Prevention Campaign, which is the longest-running public service announcement campaign in United States history. Smokey Bear’s official 80th birthday is August 9, 2024, but the Forest Service will be celebrating all year!
The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge, available through the online Beanstack platform and a printable challenge paper log, will engage youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explore their local environment. This initiative is designed to complement the 2024 Collaborative Summer Library Program theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” though libraries are welcome to run the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge anytime from January 1st to November 28th, 2024. Incentive items will be sent to the district centers in January for distribution. Each library will receive:
- One roll of 500 Smokey Stickers
- 50 Smokey Cards
- Smokey Stamp for use on paper challenge, completion certificates, and other items.
Additionally, our statewide participation allows all Pennsylvania public libraries access to a digital toolkit containing everything needed to promote and implement the challenge, including:
- Printable challenge paper log, posters, bookmarks, sticker/button templates, completion certificates, coloring sheets, “Pin the Hat on Smokey” game, Smokey’s Reading List, and additional prizes.
- Graphics and images for online platforms, social media, monitors, and websites.
More information about this program can be found on the Smokey Bear website. No need to register – all Pennsylvania libraries are signed up to participate. A survey will be sent out in late 2024 asking to provide basic follow-up metrics regarding program engagement to the USDA Forest Service.
Questions and comments can be sent to Heather Smith, Early Childhood Services Advisor or Corri Hines, School Age Service Advisor, Bureau of Library Development, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.