Youth Services Newsletter: July 2023

In-Person Event Guidelines:
In the interest of social distancing, space is limited and registration is required for most children’s events.  Registration links for our programs are located on the library's Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/) .

Masks are no longer required in the library. However, masks are encouraged in the Children's Room, especially for those who are unvaccinated, have a weakened immune system, or live with a highly vulnerable person.

General Announcements

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Join Our Summer Reading Program!

Our annual summer reading program began on June 24th!  You can sign up at any point by visiting the library.  For more information, please see the ** Children's Summer Reading (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/kids/summer-reading/)
or ** Teen Summer Reading (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/teens-overview/2023-summer-reading/)
pages on our website.

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Library Closures

Please be aware that the library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th.

Children's Events

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T's Taekwondo for Kids

Saturdays (July 1st, 8th, 15th, 29th)
9:30 am - 10:00 am

Join us for a traditional Taekwondo class teaching focus, discipline, physical and mental fortitude, and above all: compassion.  This martial arts class will teach basic self-defense techniques, proper form, and even a bit about Korean culture. Respect is at the forefront of our classes as we develop students who respond and speak to each other respectfully at all times.

This program is no-contact and is for ages 6-11.

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Spanish Fun Program

Mondays (July 3rd & 17th)
10:30 am - 11:00 am

Whether you're interested in learning Spanish or you're already fluent, you will enjoy this fun, bilingual program!  Miss Esther will lead you through vocabulary-building activities, music, and games. Best for ages 5 and under.  Siblings are welcome.  Registration is required.

Si ya hablas español o si quieres aprender una lengua nueva, puedes participar en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe con Señorita Esther!  Para niños de 1 a 5 años.  Requiere registro.

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Lego Build Time

Wednesdays (July 5th & 19th)
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Stop by the Craft Room and see what you can create with our Legos!  If you like, your amazing creation can be displayed in the library until the next Lego Build time.

For grades 5 and under.

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Parent and Tween Crafting Night

Thursday July 6th
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Come join us on Thursday night for an adult and tween (ages 8-11) craft.  Tweens are invited to bring an adult of their choice to make a craft together.  Each month will be a different craft - check back on our ** Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/)
for updates!

Young children playing a drum

Music and Storytime with Early Intervention

Thursdays
9:30 am - 10:30 am

Early Intervention clinicians from Thom Mystic Valley Early Intervention will model ways to use books, songs, movement, and instruments to increase peer socialization, imitation skills, language development, sensory integration, and motor skills.

Best for ages 5 and under.  Siblings are welcome.

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PJ Storytime

Wednesdays (July 5th, 12th, 26th)
5:30 pm - 6:15 pm

Get a jump start on bedtime!  Join Miss Kristine for songs, movement activities, and stories.

Best for ages 5 and under.  Siblings are welcome.

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Baby Lapsit with Miss Kristine

Thursdays (July 6th, 13th, 20th)
11:00 am - 11:30 am

Sing, play and bounce with your baby to gentle rhymes and stories with Miss Kristine.

Best for 12 months and under.

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Moving to the Music

Thursday July 6th
5:00 pm - 5:45 pm

Bring your imaginations to the library for an evening session of dance, music, and dramatic play led by Miss Kat!

Best for ages 3-7. Siblings are welcome.

Musician James Lepler playing guitar and singing.

Toddler Music Time with James Lepler

Friday July 7th
11:00 am - 11:30 am

Join musician James Lepler for music and movement!  Best for ages 5 and under.  Siblings are welcome.

This program is supported by a grant from the Woburn Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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Read to a Therapy Dog

Fridays (July 7th, 14th, 21st)
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Young readers are invited to spend 10 minutes reading aloud to dogs from the Therapy Dogs International Program.  Registration is not required for this event - 10 minute time-slots with a dog will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.  We will try to accommodate as many children as we can without overwhelming the dogs.  Siblings and parents are welcome to join.

You can find general information on therapy dogs from the Cummings Veterinary Medicine Magazine at the following link: ** The Benefits of Reading to Dogs (http://sites.tufts.edu/vetmag/fall-2017/the-benefits-of-reading-to-dogs/)
.  For more details about each participating dog and their handlers, please see the individual event pages on our ** Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/)
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Playful Engineers: Artful Mechanisms

Saturday July 8th
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

In this hands-on, STEM-themed maker skills workshop, teaching artist Jay Mankita brings his traveling makerspace and all materials required for kids and families to build their own artful mechanisms - specifically, linkages and mechanical automata.  Participants will keep their creations at the conclusion of the program!

This program is for ages 6-11. Registration is required.

This program is supported by a grant from the Woburn Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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Portuguese Fun Program

Mondays (July 10th & 24th)
10:30 am - 11:00 am

Join Miss Esther as we dance and sing with the music from the highest-selling Brazilian female singer Xuxa!  We will also have fun playing games with the parachute while you learn and practice Portuguese.

Best for ages 2-5.  The whole family is welcome!

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Kids' Test Kitchen

Monday July 10th
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

On a mission to redefine kid food, Kids’ Test Kitchen is a fun and engaging, hands-on cooking class for kids!  Kids’ Test Kitchen presents kids the opportunity to explore new or familiar foods in their raw, unmanipulated state.  Then, working as a team, they’ll slice, dice, peel, measure, and cook until they’ve prepared the finished dish.  Class closes with an opportunity to taste the result of their hard work.  Students receive a printed recipe card and the focal ingredient - or a sample of the finished dish - so they can show off what they learned!

This program is for ages 8-11. Registration is required.

Families who have students with allergies or other necessary dietary modifications will be required to complete our diet modification form before the first class.  ** Click here to access the diet modification form. (https://airtable.com/shrgQD2m6TCvzNfYM)

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Sensory-Friendly Storytime

Tuesday July 11th
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Join Miss Sam for 30 minutes of gentle songs and stories followed by sensory playtime.  Fidgeting and roaming are welcome.

This storytime is for everyone, but is particularly designed for neurodiverse children: children who are autistic, have sensory processing challenges, ADHD, or have difficulty sitting through our other storytimes. Book choices geared toward preschool interest level.  Siblings are welcome.

This program is for ages 3-7.

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Story Crafternoon

Tuesdays (July 11th & 25th)
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Join Miss Sam for songs, stories, and a simple craft. This program is recommended for ages 3-6, but siblings are always welcome!

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Lego Club

Tuesday July 11th
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Do you love LEGO?  If so, join us for a special LEGO Club for older kids!

This program is just for ages 6-11.  No registration required.

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Creativity Corner

Wednesdays (July 12th & 26th)
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Stop by the Craft Room and get creative with our craft supplies!  This event will be first come, first served, as space allows.  For grades 5 and under.

Musician James Lepler playing guitar and singing for audience of children.

Family Singalong with James Lepler

Thursdays (July 13th, 20th, 27th)
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Join musician James Lepler for music and movement!  Best for ages 5 and under.  Siblings are welcome.

This program is supported by a grant from the Woburn Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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Pottery Painting with Studio on the Common

Thursday July 13th
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Calling all artists!  Children (ages 7-11) are invited to join us for a guided pottery painting session led by Studio on the Common.

This program is supported by a grant from the Woburn Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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Playtime for Toddlers

Fridays (July 14th & 28th)
11:00 am - 11:45 am

Bring your toddlers to the library to play, read books, color, and socialize with other families.  No registration required.  Drop in and hang out with us!

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Princess Party

Saturday July 15th
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Kids of all ages will have the chance to meet Moana and Ariel this summer at our Princess Party!  Moana and Ariel will sing songs, dance, and read stories about their exciting adventures.  At the end of the performance everyone will have the opportunity to take photos with the princesses.

Children (and adults!) are welcome to come in costume!

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Messy Art

Monday July 17th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Join us for a fun afternoon of painting in the craft room without having to worry about the clean-up!  This month we will be painting with forks.  The paint we will be using is washable, but be sure to wear something you don't mind getting messy in.

This program is for ages 5-11.

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Rockabye Beats

Tuesday (July 18th & 25th)
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Are you ready to move and groove?  Come join Rockabye Beats for an interactive musical experience!  We'll sing, play, explore instruments, dance, pretend, learn a little Spanish, and show off our goofy side.  It's a chance for children to have fun and get a little loco!  This program is for ages 0-5, but siblings are always welcome.

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Sing, Move, and a Story with Family Access

Tuesday July 18th
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Join Community Connections for singing, movement and a shared story!  Let's get your little one's fine motor, gross motor, language and early literacy skills going.  ** Register here through Family ACCESS. (https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=9tLaOHHGdki8ubtOlAVcA8NC46CiC5lLs-_QuGoy-KpUQkNQV0tLRVUwSllPVjI3MFhVTUw4UVNVRy4u)

For children 0 - 5 with a parent/caregiver.  Siblings are always welcome.

Magician Robb poses in front of a vase of colored flowers with a magic wand.

Awesome Robb Magic Show

Tuesday July 18th
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Come join the fun for a magic show like no other, as Awesome Robb performs a special magic show for all ages!

Castle made out of cardboard boxes and tubes

Trash Castles

Wednesday July 19th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Join Miss Janice for a fun and eco-friendly craft time!  Using recycled materials, kids will build their own 3D creation.

This program is for ages 7-10.

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Spanish Fun Program: The Song of Chirimia

Wednesday July 19th
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Join us for a special session of Spanish Fun Program!  We will hear a Guatemalan folktale about the “chirimia,” whose music is sweeter even that of the birds.  The program will also include music, songs, and a craft project inspired by the story!

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Tween Jumbo Games

Thursday July 20th
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Join us for a fun afternoon where we'll play the biggest board games you've ever seen!  For ages 8-11.

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Toddler Time

Friday July 21st
11:00 am - 11:30 am

Join Miss Janice for music, movement, and stories!  Best for ages 1-3. Siblings are welcome.

Musician Otha Day and a young child drum and dance together under a tent.

Drum Circle with Otha Day

Saturday July 22nd
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Join us for a musical morning with facilitator Otha Day, who leads "DrumToTheBeat! Drum Circle and Rhythm Events" for every educational level, from the youngest to the college level.  His LibraryBEATS! Drum Circle and Rhythm events are intergenerational and 100% participatory.

Otha leads these fun and lively drum circle events from a deep belief that rhythm has the power to build community, promote well-being and healing, and create joy.  He supports participants as they experience the importance of rhythm in all aspects of life and realize that "our heartbeat and breath are the rhythms of our soul and the pathway of our connection to everyone."

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Family Retro Gaming

Saturday July 22nd
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Join us on Saturday, July 22 at 1:30PM, for our retro video game free-play event, hosted by Massachusetts eSport and gaming venue One Up Games!  Revisit the glory days of when gaming started and reminisce amongst your peers for a gaming night you don’t want to miss!  Systems and games will be available for play via the Nintendo Switch online membership, which includes NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis.  Other titles and game systems will also be included.
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STEM Explorers

Thursday July 27th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Join Miss Lobna for a fun STEM activity!  We'll explore science through hands-on activities.

Best for ages 5-11. Come dressed for a mess!

Painter's palette resting on easel.

Canvas Painting with Studio on the Common

Thursday July 27th
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Calling all artists!  Children (ages 7-11) are invited to join us for a guided painting session led by Studio on the Common.

This program is supported by a grant from the Woburn Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Young children build structures out of small yellow blocks.

Buildwave Parent/Child Workshop

Saturday July 29th
11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Buildwave is a creative building program that feels like a video game!  Over the course of the workshop, families will create with over a dozen different building materials, including Lego®, PlusPlus®, and custom-made Buildwave materials.  The workshop is structured like a video game, with an audiovisual setup featuring animations and music that guide students through the different building waves.  As your child creates with wave after wave of new objects, they will build creative confidence, become better collaborators, and encounter design and engineering fundamentals in a unique and memorable context.

This event is for ages 6-11 with a caretaker.

A presenter holds up a snake while speaking into a microphone.

Animal Adventures

Saturday July 29th
3:30 am - 4:30 pm

Calling all animal lovers!  In this program you will be able to meet and learn about some special wild animals and their conservation!  Potential animals may include: alligators, snakes, chinchillas, ferrets, hedgehogs, rats, bunnies, and lizards.

This program is for all ages.

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Balloon Twisting with Ed the Wizard

Monday July 31st
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Ed the Wizard will teach you the art of balloon twisting as you create your own elephant, giraffe, and more!  No balloon twisting experienced required.

Registration required.  Ages 7-12, but younger siblings are welcome.

Cover image for Izzy Azumi, F.D.O (Future Dog Owner). A young Black girl kneels on the sidewalk as a small dog jumps into her lap. Two other dogs and two White children look over her shoulder excitedly.

Rookie Book Club

Monday July 24th
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm

Join Miss Janice for a beginners' book club for children who are reading at a K to 2nd grade level.  July's book will be Izzy Azumi, F.D.O. (Future Dog Owner) by Megan McDonald.  Copies of the book will be available at the Children’s Room desk.  Children who are not reading independently yet can have the book read to them.  We will talk about the story and do some related early reading activities.

This program is for children ages 5 and up.

Teen Events

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T's Taekwondo for Teens and Adults

Saturdays (July 1st, 8th, 15th, 29th)
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Join us for traditional Taekwondo classes teaching focus, discipline, physical and mental fortitude, and above all: compassion.  The martial arts are open to all people.  In class we will learn basic self defense techniques, proper form, and even a bit about Korean culture.  Respect is at the forefront of our classes as we develop students who respond and speak to each other respectfully at all times.

Sessions are open to all regardless of physical ability, and can be adapted as needed for disabilities.  This is a no-contact class for ages 12 and up.

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Watercolor Painting

Saturday July 1st, 15th, 22nd, 29th (2:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
Saturday July 8th (10:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Join Joseph for an art session covering the different forms and techniques of watercolor painting, as well as some hands-on practice of painting specific items.  Any watercolorist at all levels will benefit from this class featuring a popular and relaxing artistic medium.

This class is open to adults and teens.  All necessary materials will be provided.

Movie poster for Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Bill and Ted (Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves) press their faces against the inside of a telephone booth. Behind them, Rufus (George Carlin) makes a quizzical face.

Teen Movie Night: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

Wednesday July 5th
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Who's that guy always looking down on us from the Teen Room door?  This July, we will be celebrating the man, the myth, the legend: Keanu Reeves!  To start us off, we will be screening Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure in the Teen Room.

Synopsis: Two rock-'n-rolling teens, on the verge of failing their class, set out on a quest to make the ultimate school history report after being presented with a time machine.  (1989, Rated: PG)

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Teen Dungeons and Dragons: Dragon Heist

Thursdays
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Our grand Waterdeep: Dragon Heist adventure continues, and it isn't too late to join our band of adventurers!  This is an adventure designed to take your characters from level 1-5.

New to D&D?  That's ok; whether you have only played a few times or have never rolled a 20-sided dice before, this is a supportive environment to learn the rules and have fun.

Teen D&D will run every Thursday; we hope you are able to make the majority of the meetings.

Register ONCE for all sessions in the month of July.

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Teen Clay Time

Friday July 7th (12:30 pm - 2:00 pm)
Friday July 21st (3:00 pm - 4:30 pm)

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at sculpting miniatures or making your own jewelry?  Already have a clay project in mind but need the supplies?  Clay Time is an open art workshop for teens ages 11-19.  We will provide air-dry clay in a wide range of colors and sculpting tools.  Make anything your heart desires and take it home with you the same day.

No registration required, just drop by!

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Teen Improv Workshop

Friday July 7th
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Why let the adults have all the fun?  Our super popular Improv Workshop is now available for teens!

In this workshop, participants will learn and practice improvisation activities and techniques that will help to improve expressive language skills as well promote faster thinking and decrease stress.  Research has shown that learning improv can help to “retrain” the brain to actively listen, communicate more effectively, be more open to ideas, and work collaboratively.  Plus, because improv is a lot of fun, it is a great stress reliever as well.

Presented by Meredith Charles, proprietor of Drama out of the Box.  No experience necessary.

This event is for students in grades 6-12.

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Fanfiction Workshop

Tuesday July 11th
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Join us for a special session of Journaling Corner - a Fanfiction Writing Workshop!  Learn how to use the power of creative writing and fanfiction to explore your passions.  Led by guest instructor Mei.

No registration required, just drop by!

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Teen Chess Club

Tuesdays
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Want to learn to play chess?  Know the basics, but want improve your skills?  Already know how to play, but have no one to play with?  Stop by Chess Club, Tuesdays at 5:30 in the Makerspace!  No registration required and boards provided.  All skill levels welcome!

Teen Chess Club is for students in 6-12 grade.

Author Jenna Evans

Q&A with YA Author Jenna Evans Welch (VIRTUAL)

Monday July 17th
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

What's better than young love, adventure, travel, good, family, and good friends?  Nothing!  Join us for a conversation with author Jenna Evans Welch as we discuss her books Love & Gelato, Love & Luck, and her most recent, Love & Olives.  We're sure you can guess the settings from the titles!  Bring your questions, because this is going to be rapid fire and awesome!

About Jenna: Jenna Evans Welch was the kind of insatiable child reader who had no choice but to grow up to become a writer. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato, Love & Luck, Love & Olives, and her latest, Spells for Lost Things (set in our very own backyard, Salem, MA!).  When she isn’t writing girl abroad stories, Jenna can be found chasing her children or making elaborate messes in the kitchen.  She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and two young children.

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM.  ** Register here on Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4416830736297/WN_KVM9mDuqRSKz_NJt_B55ZQ#/registration)
.  Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Meeting via email.**

Hosted by the Ashland Public Library, in collaboration with dozens of Massachusetts public libraries.  Open to both adults and teens.

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Teen Journaling Corner

Tuesday July 18th
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Join us in the Maker Space for some companionable, cozy journaling time!  Each session will feature a different journaling style in a fun, coffee shop inspired atmosphere.  We will try out dream journaling, bullet journaling, travel journaling, and journaling for emotional expression.  You do not have to check your angst at the door!

Bring your own beloved journal or decorate a brand new one during our first session.

No registration required, just swing by!

Movie poster for The Matrix. Trenchcoat-clad Neo (Keanu Reeves) strikes a dramatic pose in front of three other characters - a light-skinned woman in skin-tight leather, a Black man in a leather trenchcoat, and a light-skinned man in torn pants and a leather coat. All of them are wearing sunglasses.

Teen Movie Night

Wednesday July 19th
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Our July celebration of Keanu Reeves will continue with a screening of The Matrix in the Teen Room.  No registration required.

Synopsis: When a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence. (1999, Rated: R for sci-fi violence and brief language. See if this movie is right for you by visiting ** Common Sense Media (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-matrix)
.)

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Family Retro Gaming

Saturday July 22nd
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Join us on Saturday, July 22 at 1:30PM, for our retro video game free play event, hosted by Massachusetts eSport and gaming venue, One Up Games!  Revisit the glory days of when gaming started and reminisce amongst your peers for a gaming night you don’t want to miss!  Systems and games will be available for play via the Nintendo Switch online membership, which includes NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis.  Other titles and game systems will also be included.

A pair of hands creates a structure built out of multicolored blocks, chains, and wooden pieces.

Buildwave Workshop for Teens

Saturday July 29th
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Buildwave is a creative building program that feels like a video game!  Over the course of the workshop, you will create with over a dozen different building materials, including Lego®, PlusPlus®, and custom-made Buildwave materials.  The workshop is structured like a video game, with an audiovisual setup featuring animations and music that guides participants through the different building waves.  As you create with wave after wave of new objects, you build creative confidence, become better collaborators, and encounter design and engineering fundamentals in a unique and memorable context.

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Intro to Astrology for Teens

Monday July 31st
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
How does astrology work?  What does the date, time, and location of my birth have to do with my personality and the path of destiny?  Whether you are serious about astrology or want to learn about it for fun, join astrology teacher Laura Campagna for a fun workshop on how to interpret the stars.
This event is for teens 13-18.
Cover image for I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee. A plus-size Korean-American girl with long black hair dances joyfully in front of a background of neon pastel stripes. She is wearing black torn shorts, white high top sneakers, and a white t-shirt emblazoned with a tricolor red, yellow, and blue stripe.
Iris Book Club
Monday July 26th
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm