AMHERST – It could easily be described as a mad house. Children rushing around the library wearing coloured bands, hunting for their prey during the scavenger hunt and fighting their way through the laser beam challenge. But youth services librarian Chantelle Taylor saw it as controlled chaos.
“We only had 25 kids today,” she said. “Much better than 40 kids.”
The Four Father’s Memorial Library has been holding different activities for children all week long. Thursday’s event centered around 'Survivor', dividing the kids into tribes and competing against each other in different challenges.
“We had a trivia challenge and the group with the most points got a head start in the scavenger hunt,” Taylor explained. “I have hidden 20 objects throughout the library. They love the scavenger hunt because they love running around the library.”
And run they did. For the scavenger hunt, the tribes had to find all 20 objects and sort them into two groups: items that would be helpful while in a deserted island and objects that wouldn’t be helpful. Then, as a team, each tribe had to label them from most helpful to not so helpful.
“Our last challenge is going to be some games. I have a ‘laser beam’ obstacle course and we’re going to be a little river and bank, a game the kids love to play,” she said.
Mother Krista Smith said the events have been a big hit with her son. In fact, she said he has insisted they play some of the new games and try out some of the science day experiments at home.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the kids to get out and do something over the March Break,” said Smith. “It’s free so that’s great. The parents can get involved if they want to and it introduces the kids to the library.”
Green tribal member Savannah Cobbett said all the events at the library throughout the week of March Break have been fun.
“I love the obstacle course because it’s fun,” she said. “My favourite day was Science Day because I had a lot of fun. I loved making the balls. I’m going to come back again.”
Twitter: @ADNjocelyn
