Adventure Begins At Your Library with Smokey Bear

Celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday year in 2024 with a free ready program

The USDA Forest Service and the State Library of North Carolina invites all public libraries to participate in a free reading program to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday year in 2024. This challenge, available through a printable challenge paper log, will engage youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explore their local environment. The challenge is designed to complement the 2024 Collaborative Summer Library Program Adventure Begins At Your Library.

Each library outlet will receive one roll of 500 Smokey Stickers, 50 Smokey Cards, and one Smokey Stamp for use on paper challenge, completion certificates, and other items. NC public libraries do not need to register to receive these materials as the State Library has already made arrangements with the Forest Service. These materials will be mailed directly from the Forest Service to the main branch of each library system. Distribution to all outlets will be the responsibility of the system. The Forest Service anticipates shipping to begin in January 2024.

Along with these physical materials, libraries also have access to a digital toolkit containing everything needed to promote and implement the challenge, including:

• Printable challenge paper log, Smokey’s Reading List, posters, bookmarks, sticker/button templates, completion certificates, coloring sheets, “Pin the Hat on Smokey” game, and additional prizes.

• Graphics and images for online platforms, social media, monitors, and websites.

For questions about this opportunity, please contact jasmine.rockwell@dncr.nc.gov.