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SummerQuest

SummerQuest is York County Libraries’ version of a summer reading program—but it’s so much more! We offer kids and teens (and adults! Click to learn about SummerQuest for those 19+) tons of ways to stay active in mind and body all summer long. We host free, fun activities that keep everyone learning, reading, and physically active from June to August. Each year, the theme and special events change.

SummerQuest 2025: Color Our World

Grab your paintbrushes, palettes, and sketchbooks because this summer is going to be a colorful one! This year, SummerQuest Color Our World is all about reaching your own unique goals.

Do you want to read more? Get involved in the community? Or perhaps you want to be more active and get outdoors. Whatever those goals may be, YOU get to decide how your summer looks!

Key Dates

  • May 18: Pre-Registration for SummerQuest is available on Beanstack
  • June 2: First day of SummerQuest & Get Outdoors (GO) York
  • June 11: Prize pickup begins
  • June 29: York Revolution’s special baseball game for SummerQuest participants
  • August 17*: Last day of SummerQuest & GO York; Beanstack Challenge ends
  • August 23: Last day to pick up prizes at the library

*August 17 is also the last day to log your reading, complete activities, log GO York hike codes, and “spend” your tickets on Ticket Drawings.

Find a Library
Register for SummerQuest
View Upcoming Events

How it works

To get started, first you’ll need to register for the SummerQuest Challenge in Beanstack. Log in to an existing account or create a new one (don’t forget to update your information!). You’ll use Beanstack to track your reading, activities, and progress throughout the summer.

illustrated graphic of a book
Step 1

Log Reading & Complete Activities

As you log reading and activities in Beanstack, you’ll earn virtual badges. With a variety of badges to choose from, your summer can be customized to your goals and interests! 

Get started with Beanstack
illustrated graphic of a gift box and a ticket
Step 2

Get Rewards & Earn Tickets

When you earn badges, you’ll receive Rewards and virtual tickets. Tickets can be spent on Ticket Drawings for a chance to win real prizes! The best part is that YOU get to decide where you spend your tickets.

How to use tickets
illustrated graphic of a prize ribbon
Step 3

Complete the Challenge

Once you earn any four (4) reading or activity badges, you will “complete” the SummerQuest Challenge. Keep logging to earn more tickets and additional prizes!

Read the SummerQuest Digital Magazine

Check out our SummerQuest: Color Our World digital magazine below!

  • Click the Table of Contents (squares) icon in the top-right corner to view each library’s calendar of events.
  • To download a copy of the digital magazine, click the cloud icon.

Click here to view the magazine in a new tab..

Kids & Teens: Join the SummerQuest Challenge!

We invite everyone to join in the summer fun at York County Libraries! See below for more information about participating in SummerQuest, prizes, and more!

Get the App and Join the Challenge

Beanstack is a super-useful, super-easy mobile app (and website) where you participate in Reading Challenges, log your books/reading, and complete activities. All SummerQuest participants must have a library card and be registered in Beanstack.

Download the mobile app for Apple iOS and Android here.

Returning Beanstack Users: Your accounts remain active from year to year. Using your login information, you can update your account and register for the current year’s SummerQuest program.

More Beanstack Tips

Log Reading & Activities to Earn Rewards

It would not be a summer at the library without reading! The easiest way to log your reading minutes is through Beanstack.

When you log reading and complete activities in the Challenge, you will earn virtual “badges.”

Each (1) Badge You Earn = A Reward + 1 Ticket

Each badge you get will also give you a Reward and one Ticket.

  • Rewards are physical prizes that are redeemed at the library starting June 11.
  • Tickets are virtually “spent” on Ticket Drawing prizes in Beanstack. Learn more about tickets here.

If you prefer to log your reading on paper, we have a printable tracking sheet. Bring it to the library when you’re ready!

Prizes & Drawings

We are so grateful to the many local attractions, restaurants, and businesses that support SummerQuest each year!

Rewards will be available for pick up starting June 11.

“Treasure Box” Rewards

When you earn a Reward in Beanstack, stop by the library (starting June 11) to pick out a prize from their treasure box.  You may* find exciting prizes to places such as:

  • Attractions: Roll R’ Way, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Maize Quest, Oakes Museum of Natural History, Hickory Falls Family Entertainment Center
  • Restaurants: Texas Roadhouse, Chick-Fil-A, and more!

*Prizes are available while supplies last

Bonus Prize Drawings!

This summer, we’re offering bonus prize drawings to anyone who registers for SummerQuest! This includes family 4-packs of tickets for the following:

Ticket Drawings

This year, we are excited to offer several prize bundles.
Note: Drawing prizes vary by age group. 

  • Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts
  • Adventure Sports in Hershey
  • Laser Alley
  • School of Rock: York
  • Ninja Logic
  • Ready Up Gaming
  • WareHouse ROCKS Climbing and Fitness
  • and more!

These prizes are only available through Ticket Drawings. For a chance to win one of these prizes, you must “spend” your Tickets in Beanstack by August 17. Click here for instructions on using Tickets. Ask library staff if you need help “spending” your tickets!

"Complete" the Challenge

The magic number is FOUR! You only need to earn four reading or activity badges* in Beanstack to “complete” the Challenge.

This means that you can pick and choose which badges you want to work toward. See the next section for more ways you can customize your summer!

*Note: The Registration badge does not count toward your four badges.

Customize Your Summer

There are plenty of things to do during SummerQuest! Whether you hope to read more books, play outside, or find new things to do, York County Libraries are here to support your goals.

Here are just a few ways you can make the summer your own:

Boy And Girl Reading Chapter Books At Glatfelter Library

At the library, it’s no secret we love books and reading! If one of your summer goals is to read more, we’re a great place to start.

With over 500,000 items in our collection and a variety of online resources, we have something for everyone’s interests.

Looking for some good books? Check out these staff-curated book lists:

Stay School-Ready

Studies have shown that children lose as much as 30% of the knowledge gained during the school year over summer break (2017, Brookings). The single best way to stay ready for the upcoming school year is by reading over the summer and staying engaged in learning.

science heroes

There are a variety of programs and presenters travelling around the county this summer, such as:

Plus, special guest appearances from:

View all upcoming events

Within the SummerQuest challenge on Beanstack, you will find a variety of different activities to do! This may include:

  • Reading or book-themed activities
  • Library activities and programs
  • Artistic or hands-on activities
  • Outdoor activities

Not only are these activities fun to do, but completing them will earn you virtual “badges” – which also earns you prizes and tickets for prize drawings!

Watch a video about Tickets

Calling all Scouts! Earn a special patch for participating in SummerQuest:

  • Complete the SummerQuest Reading Challenge by earning any four reading or activity badges
  • Attend 6+ SummerQuest events at any of our libraries
  • Complete 10+ GO York! Hikes

Log your progress on Beanstack. When you finish, pick up your patch at any YCL location.

Get Outdoors (GO) York!

GO York is a challenge facilitated by our partner, Wellspan Health. 30 wooden posts are hidden in York County parks every summer. Using an annual GO York guidebook, follow the steps to locate the posts and unveil the “rubbing” of the sketch and a secret code.

Log the secret code into the Beanstack app to earn entries for GO York grand prize drawings! Join the GO York! Facebook group for updates and info.

Click the video to watch a short tutorial on logging your GO York hikes in Beanstack. Read more about using Beanstack for GO York here.

Visit GOYork.org

SummerQuest for Adults

This summer, we challenge all adults 19+ to take a “Color Quest” and visit ALL open York County Libraries for a chance to win great prizes!

Stop by any library to pick up your tracking sheet and get started.

Learn more

SummerQuest isn’t only for kids!

Most people have fond memories of their childhood library’s summer reading programs. We say those memories don’t need to stay in the past! We welcome adults 19+ to join the SummerQuest challenge.

Here’s a few things you can do:

If you think you can’t have fun during the summer just because you’re a grown-up, think again!

If your business is interested in becoming a sponsor of SummerQuest, contact us!

Contact Us!

Thank you to our supporters!

Annually, many local businesses offer financial support to York County Libraries’ SummerQuest. They help us encourage kids to keep reading and to stay active over the summer months.