Storytime Trail launched

Healthy Kids Community Challenge Huron launches Storytime Trail on June 21, 2016

Storytime Trail allows families to read posted story pages while hiking trail; Opening ceremonies were held on National Aboriginal Day on Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Huron County families will have a chance to walk together and read together through the Storytime Trail, a new program launched on June 21, 2016. A different story will be posted on the trail monthly on each of eight new trail posts along the MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail in Exeter. Families are invited to read the story as they hike the trail. The remainder of the story will be available on Tumblebooks via the library website (huroncounty.ca/library). A copy of the featured book will also be on display at the Exeter Library Branch.

The County of Huron is working to help keep local children and youth active and healthy. Bonnie Baynham, Project Manager, said they are pleased to provide funding for the Storytime Trail through Healthy Kids Community Challenge Huron funding from the Province of Ontario. This initiative strives to engage community members in areas of physical activity and healthy eating.

The Storytime Trail opening ceremonies took place on the morning of Tuesday, June 21, 2016. This included an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting followed by programs for Grade 3 students from Stephen Central; Exeter Elementary; and Precious Blood. Young children from Relouw Child Care and families of the South Huron Early Years programs were also invited to attend this special event. Activities included a drumming station by Maggie Brennan; water education by Ausable Bayfield Conservation staff; healthy food station by community food advisors; and a physical activity station by Healthy Kids Community Challenge. The library provided guided readings of the story along the trail.

Organizers chose the June 21 date because it was National Aboriginal Day. This day also comes at the time of the summer solstice and the official start of summer and the “longest day of play.” National Aboriginal Day is a special day to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada. Traditional stories have been passed on through oral storytelling. It seemed appropriate that Huron County Library chose a traditional aboriginal tale to be the first story as part of the Storytime Trail. 

All of the community partners brought together through this Healthy Kids Community Challenge grant say they are excited by this new Storytime Trail program that promotes activity, literacy, and family togetherness. The trail can help to bring together families through walking and reading while getting outside to experience nature along the MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail.

Jenni Boles, Acting Branch Services Librarian with the Huron County Library, was the first to approach Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority with the idea of combining outdoor hiking and story reading. “We love the idea of encouraging literacy outside of library walls,” said Boles. “What better way than through our existing trail system? Families can be active and imaginative while reading a story along the trail,” she said. “How fun is that?”  

Partners in the launch of the Storytime Trail include Healthy Kids Community Challenge Huron; Huron County Library; Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA); Friends of the South Huron Trail; and Huron County Children’s Services.