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WEST JORDAN — Salt Lake County leaders want young residents to learn and explore the area while having fun, which is why they created the Kids Summer Passport tour.
"We wanted everyone to have a great summer and explore Salt Lake County,” Mayor Ben McAdams said.
The zoos, arts and parks program invites children ages 17 and younger to pick up a passport booklet at any Salt Lake County library. Then they're encouraged to got to five of 28 destinations listed in the passport and receive a stamp at each place. The options include various museums, arts festivals, classes, theaters and parks.
After children have received five stamps in their passports, they are eligible to attend the Final Destination Celebration — a party planned for Aug. 30 that will include IMAX movies and drawings for free prizes at Clark Planetarium.
“What a better way for everyone to learn, to read, to play, to connect and create, both at the county library and their community,” said Jim Cooper, director of Salt Lake County Library Services.
While most locations listed in the booklet involve art or games, the Conservation Garden Park teaches children about composting, the importance of plants and the water cycle, topics that park manager Shaun Moser said "do not have enough importance" placed on them.
Sophia Goodwin, 14, who designed passport cover, said her inspiration for the design came from her desire for everyone to have the same opportunities she did — experiences that "inspired me to become a lifelong learner."
“I hope other kids and their families experience Salt Lake County’s zoos, libraries and parks regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender or disability," Sophia said. "No barrier should stand in the way of learning and having fun this summer.”
The cover of the booklet features three children with different physical characteristics standing at the foot of a road with multiple pathways leading to various locations in Salt Lake County.
"It shows how many different opportunities there are using this (zoo, arts and parks) passport," Sophia said. "It shows that it's for all people of Salt Lake County, regardless of any barrier that could be in their way, which I think is really special."
Salt Lake County Library Services also will be conducting its annual summer reading program. County residents can sign up at any county library to receive a booklet with a list of activities to complete.
As each activity is completed, participants can fill in one letter of the theme "read, learn, create, play, connect." Those who complete all the activities will receive a free book and a ticket to the Natural History Museum of Utah. They also will be entered into a drawing for other prizes.
More information for can be found at slco.org/zap or summer.slcolibrary.org. Email: aberg@deseretnews.com
