Summer Fun and Safety

Contents

Welcome

Summer Safety Tips
Tips every parent should know.

Emergency Information Card
A helpful sheet of emergency numbers to post near your phone.

Child Supervision Guidelines (English & Spanish)
Developed by child welfare professionals for supervision of children from birth to 18.

Home Alone Safety Rules
Tips for preparing your child to stay home alone in a safe environment.

Guidelines for Selecting A Babysitter (English & Spanish)
Standards for selecting a babysitter developed by child welfare professionals and members of the community.

Car Safety Is Important
Virginia’s Child Restraint Device Law

Watch the Heat!
Cautions regarding your child, your car and the heat of summer.

ChildSafeNet: Making Communities Safer for Kids
Quick tips for keeping kids safe online and out-and-about.

Words That Help Kids (English & Spanish)
25 things kids like to hear.

Activity Calendar and Other Fun Activities
A month of suggestions for parents and children.

Community Centers
A list of Fairfax County community centers.

Fairfax County Library
Information on summer programs and a list of regional libraries.

Teen Centers
A list of Fairfax County teen centers.

Recreation Programs for School-Aged Children with Disabilities

Computer Learning Centers Partnership
Ensure a bright future by utilizing a Computer Learning Center.

Fairfax County Park Authority
Discover your local nature center, golf courses, parks, RECenters and historic sites.

Fun and Easy-to-Make Recipes

Welcome

Welcome … to the Guide to SUMMER FUN & SAFETY. On these pages you will read about summer activities, advice and tips compiled by the Fairfax County Blue Ribbon Campaign to keep kids safe.

In our sixth edition we?ve included information to help remind parents, caretakers and kids about tips for safety and fun. If you have suggestions for additional information and ideas to be included in future editions, please call us at 703-324-7720; TTY: 703-222- 9452. We?'d like to hear from you.

The Fairfax County Blue Ribbon Campaign, led by the Department of Family Services, includes individuals and organizations — community, civic, school, business, faith-based and government — dedicated to keeping kids safe. We welcome your participation in this effort.

OUR VISION … a community where each of us recognizes and acts upon our shared responsibility to KEEP KIDS SAFE by preventing child abuse and neglect.

Summer Safety Tips

When most children are out of school and on break, summer brings endless hours of sun and fun. Yet it’s also an opportunity for both small and serious injuries — from playground falls to drowning. Here are some safety tips that will help keep your child’s summer a safe one.

• Never leave children unattended in or near the water. Use U.S. Coast Guard approved life vests, also known as personal flotation devices (PFDs), on boats, docks, and around deep or swift water. Have adults take turns as “designated child watchers” at parties or family gatherings.
  
  
• Make sure children always wear a helmet when rollerblading, skateboarding or riding a bicycle or scooter.
  
  
• Protect children from excessive exposure to sun – especially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Do not apply sunscreen to children under six months of age.
  
  
• Supervise children whenever they use play equipment. For example, make sure children stay clear of the front and back of swings while in use.
  
  
• Keep children away from areas where any lawn mowers are being used. Never allow children to ride on mowers.
  
  
• Minimize the risk of bee and insect stings by having children wear shoes and light-colored clothing. Use insect repellent sparingly on children and never on infants.
  
  
• Know the plants in your yard and teach your child not to pick or eat anything without first checking with an adult. Call the National Capital Poison Center Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 if you suspect a poisoning has occurred or to receive a list of poisonous plants.
  
  
• Keep children from playing near barbecues and bonfires and always have a fire extinguisher or at least 16 quarts of water close by in case of fire. Only adults should use lighter fluid.
  
  
• Strap children in a properly fitting seat belt, car seat or booster seat when traveling by car or airplane. Doctors and safety experts recommend that children ride in booster seats until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Be SAFE in the summer & have FUN!

Adapted from Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center (Seattle, WA) materials and reprinted with permission.

Emergency Information Card

You may wish to post this Emergency Information Card near your phone. Click on the image to get a full size copy of the card. You need Adobe Reader to view the full size card.

Child Supervision Guidelines

These guidelines have been developed by social work professionals in collaboration with the community. These are guidelines only. There may be situations, even within these guidelines, when it is not safe to leave a child unsupervised. Parents are ultimately responsible for making decisions about their child’s safety.

Whenever any child is unsupervised/unattended the following should apply:

• There must be no emotional, medical, or behavioral problems which affect judgment or decisionmaking skills.
• The Child must be comfortable being alone.
• Youth must have a safety plan worked out with the parent/caretaker that includes:
  1. How to access parent or other responsible adult at all times (including knowing the parent/caretaker’s whereabouts and having a telephone number where the parent can be reached).
  2. What to do in case of an emergency.
  3. Guidelines for acceptable behavior.
  4. Knowledge of emergency telephone numbers.
• Youth must demonstrate the ability to follow the safety plan and to make decisions that reflect concern for personal safety.

SUPERVISION GUIDELINES

7 years & under:	Should not be left alone for any period of time. This may include leaving children unattended in cars, backyards and playgrounds. The determining consideration should be the dangers in the environment and the ability of the caretaker to intervene.
8 to 10 years:	Should not be left alone for more than 1½ hours and only during daylight and early evening hours.
11 to 12 years:	May be left alone for up to 3 hours but not late at night or in circumstances requiring inappropriate responsibility.
13 to 15 years:	May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.
16 to 17 years:	May be left unsupervised, and in some cases, for up to two consecutive overnight periods.

Guías Para La Supervisión de los Niños
(Child Supervision Guidelines - Spanish)

Las siguientes representan reglas mínimas para la supervisión de los niños. Estas guías han sido desarrolladas por profesionales de trabajo social en colaboración con la comunidad. Recuerde, estas son solamente guías. Pueden haber situaciones, aún dentro de estas guías, en las que no es seguro dejar a un niño sin supervisión. Por lo tanto, los padres tienen la responsabilidad final en la toma de decisiones con respecto a la seguridad de sus hijos.

El siguiente criterio se deberá aplicar para dejar a un niño solo, sin supervisión:

• Los niños no deben tener problemas de conducta, problemas emocionales o médicos que afecten su juicio para tomar decisiones.
• El niño debe de sentirse cómodo al quedarse solo.
• Los menores deben de tener un plan de seguridad desarrollado con los padres o cuidadores, que incluya:
  1. Cómo comunicarse con los padres u otro adulto responsable en todo momento, (incluyendo la dirección dónde están, y tener un número telefónico donde puedan comunicarse con los padres).
  2. Saber qué hacer en caso de emergencia.
  3. Guías de conducta aceptable.
  4. Conocimiento de números telefónicos de emergencia.
• Los menores deben demostrar la habilidad de seguir el plan de seguridad y de tomar decisiones que refl ejen su preocupación por la seguridad personal.

GUÍAS PARA LA SUPERVISIÓN DE LOS NIÑOS

Menor de, y hasta los 7 años:	No se deben dejar solos en ningún momento. Ésto incluye el dejar a los niños solos, en los autos, en las áreas de juego, o en el patio. Se deben considerar los peligros del lugar y la habilidad del adulto para intervenir.
8 a 10 años:	Solamente se les puede dejar solos por una hora y media durante el día y en la noche.
11 a 12 años:	Se les puede dejar solos hasta 3 horas, pero no tarde en la noche o en circunstancias que requieran responsabilidad que no está al alcance de ellos.
13 a 15 años:	Se les puede dejar sin supervisión, pero no por toda la noche.
16 a 17 años:	Se les puede dejar sin supervisión (en algunos casos, hasta dos noches completas).

Home Alone Safety Rules for Your Child

Leaving a child unsupervised at home is an important decision for families. Before allowing your child to stay home alone, refer to the Fairfax County Child Supervision Guidelines (below) for clarification regarding the appropriate age and length of time a child can be left alone. The next step is for parents to create a safety plan with their children.

First, talk with your child about staying home alone:

• Help your child understand why you cannot be present.
• Speak openly with your child about his/her feelings and encourage him/her to share concerns.
• Make certain that your child always has a way to contact you, a close friend, relative or neighbor.
• Create clear home-alone rules and guidelines with your child, and then review them until your child seems comfortable.

Suggestions for creating a safe home for children home alone:

• Remove accident hot-spots and fire hazards.
• Ensure that appliances and smoke detectors are in good working order.
• Teach your children how to operate door locks and security systems.
• Prepare a first aid kit and teach your child how to use it.
• Make certain your child knows how to use the telephone and whom to call in an emergency.
• Post emergency phone numbers next to all phones in your home.

Now that your home is safe, here are some safety rules for your child:

• Create a backup plan for your child if he/she should lose the house key.
• Teach your child to notice if anything does not seem right… such as an open door or broken window… and tell your child not to go into the house.
• Teach your child to remove the key from the lock when entering the house, and then to lock the door behind him/her.
• Familiarize your child with family rules about who – if anyone – to let into the house when home alone and how to handle unexpected visitors or callers.
• Help your child create ways to play alone safely. Provide books, paper, or age-appropriate and safe craft projects.

Taken From “Home Alone Safety for Latchkey Kids” with permission from The Bureau for At-Risk Youth, 1-800-999-6884.

Guidelines for Selecting a Babysitter

These guidelines have been developed by social work professionals in collaboration with members of the community. They represent the minimal acceptable standards for selecting a responsible babysitter. Remember, these are guidelines only. There may be some situations within these guidelines when it may not be safe to leave a child with a babysitter. Parents are ultimately responsible for making decisions about their child’s safety.

Major Considerations:

• Generally, age 13 is the minimum recommended age for a babysitter. In making decisions about who is an acceptable babysitter, consider not only age, but maturity.
• The physical environment where the babysitting takes place must be safe.
• The babysitter must possess a level of maturity necessary for applying solid judgment and decision-making skills. There must be no emotional, medical, or behavioral problems affecting this ability.
• The length of time, the number of hours, the age and number of children, and the time of day must be consistent with the sitter’s age and ability. As the age and level of maturity of the sitter increases, so can the level of responsibility. This includes performing specialized tasks such as getting kids ready for bed, preparing food and taking care of other specific needs.
• The babysitter should have access to a responsible adult who can offer assistance if necessary.
• The babysitter must know how and when to get help and have a safety plan for what to do in an emergency.

Other Considerations:

• Is the sitter comfortable around children?
• Does the sitter possess basic childcare skills?
• Does the sitter show a responsible attitude?
• Could the sitter respond to any special medical needs your child may have?
• Does the sitter have experience with children?
• Does the sitter know basic first aid and CPR?
• Has the sitter demonstrated responsible behavior in the past?
• Does the sitter have references? Have you checked them out?

Before leaving your children with a babysitter, have you …

• Informed the sitter of your family’s safety plan for emergency situations and ensured that the sitter is able to carry out the plan?
• Made your expectations for food preparation and bathing realistic?
• Left a place and phone number where you can be reached?
• Reminded the sitter to limit personal phone calls and not allow visitors into the home?

Many hospitals, health care agencies, youth groups, community service groups and the American Red Cross provide classes for potential babysitters.

Consistent with the Fairfax County Child Supervision Guidelines, no child under 16 years old should be left alone overnight. It is recommended that overnight sitters be 18 years or older.

Fairfax County recommends children be at least 13 years old before babysitting.

Sugerencias para Seleccionar una Niñera
(Guidelines for Selecting a Babysitter - Spanish)

 

Las siguientes sugerencias han sido elaboradas por trabajadores sociales profesionales en colaboración con miembros de la comunidad, y representan los criterios mínimos que deben tomarse en cuenta a la hora de seleccionar a una niñera responsable. Recuerde que éstas son solo sugerencias. Puede haber situaciones en que, aunque se cumpla con estos criterios, no sea seguro dejar a un niño al cuidado de una niñera. Son los padres quienes siempre tienen la responsabilidad final en toda decisión acerca de la seguridad de sus hijos.

Puntos principales:

• Por lo general, 13 años es la edad mínima recomendada para una niñera. Al tomar decisiones sobre quién puede ser una buena niñera, tenga en cuenta no sólo su edad, sino también su madurez.
• El lugar en el que se vaya a supervisar al niño debe estar libre de peligros.
• La niñera debe poseer la madurez necesaria para ejercer buen juicio al tomar decisiones. No debe tener problemas emocionales, médicos ni de comportamiento que afecten dicha capacidad.
• El tiempo que Ud. piensa estar ausente, el número de niños y sus edades, así como la hora del día, deben ajustarse a la edad y capacidad de la niñera. Cuanto mayor y más madura sea la persona, mayor responsabilidad se le puede confi ar.
• La niñera, dependiendo de su edad, debería tener acceso a un adulto responsable capaz de brindarle ayuda si fuera necesario.
• La niñera debe saber cómo y cuándo solicitar ayuda y contar con un plan de seguridad que le indique qué hacer en casos de emergencia.

Otros criterios:

• La persona ¿se siente a gusto con los niños?
• ¿Tiene experiencia trabajando con niños?
• ¿Tiene la capacidad y habilidad básica para cuidar de los niños?
• ¿Posee conocimientos básicos de primeros auxilios y de reanimación cardiopulmonar?
• ¿Muestra una actitud responsable?
• ¿Ha demostrado tener una conducta responsable en el pasado?
• ¿Tendría la capacidad de responder a las necesidades médicas que pueda presentar su hijo?
• ¿Tiene referencias? ¿Ha chequeado sus referencias?

Antes de dejar a sus hijos al cuidado de una niñera, ¿se aseguró de…

• informarle del plan de seguridad de la familia para situaciones de emergencia y asegurarse de que sea capaz de aplicarlo?
• ser realista en sus exigencias con respecto a la preparación de alimentos y el baño de los niños?
• dejarle una dirección y un número de teléfono donde localizarlo?
• recordarle que limite sus llamadas telefónicas personales y no permita visitas en casa?

Muchos hospitales, organismos de atención médica, grupos juveniles, grupos de servicio comunitarios y la Cruz Roja de los Estados Unidos dictan cursos de supervisión de niños. De conformidad con las sugerencias de supervisión de niños del Condado de Fairfax, no debe dejarse sola de un día para otro a ninguna persona menor de 16 años. Se recomienda que quienes cuiden niños de un día para otro tengan 18 años de edad como mínimo.

Car Safety Is Important All Year Long!

Virginia’s Child Restraint Device Law (Code of Virginia Article 13 - Section 46.2)

• Effective July 1, 2007: Child restraint devices are required for children through the age of seven (until 8th birthday). Child restraint devices must be properly used and meet standards adopted by the United States Department of Transportation.
• Effective July 1, 2007: Rear-facing child restraint devices must be placed in the back seat of a vehicle. In the event the vehicle does not have a back seat, the child restraint device may be placed in the front passenger seat only if the vehicle is either not equipped with a passenger side airbag or the passenger side airbag has been deactivated.
• Effective July 1, 2007: Children can no longer ride unrestrained in the rear cargo area of vehicles. The law applies to anyone (i.e. parents, grandparents, babysitters, friends) who provides transportation for a child in any vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968.
• Public transportation (taxis, buses), regulation school buses, and farm vehicles are exempted.
• The child restraint device law is primary enforcement – no other violation need be committed prior to ticketing for failure to have a child in an approved seat.
• A $50 civil penalty fine is imposed for failure to transport a child in a child restraint device. A $20 civil penalty fine is assessed when persons transporting a child exempted from this law due to medical reasons do not carry a written statement of the exemption. All fines collected go into a special fund to purchase safety seats for low-income families.
• There are assistance programs for low-income residents who cannot afford a safety seat. Contact Virginia Department of Health, Center for Injury and Violence Prevention at 1-800-732-8333 for more information.

Virginia’s Passenger Safety Belt Law (Code of Virginia Article 12 - Section 46.2)

• Effective July 1, 2007: Children age 8 through age 15 (until age 16) must be belted correctly in vehicle safety belts in vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1968. Exemptions are taxicabs, school buses, executive sedans and limousines.
• This safety belt law is primary enforcement – no other violation need be committed prior to ticketing for failure to have a child correctly buckled up.
• A $50 civil penalty fine will be imposed. All fines collected go into a special fund to purchase safety seats for low-income families.

Virginia’s Pickup Truck Law (Code of Virginia Section 46.2 - 1094)

• No child under the age of 16 shall be transported in the rear cargo area of a pickup truck. There are exemptions for certain parades and farming operations

For more information, contact
Division of Injury and Violence Prevention, Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor Street, 8th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
1-800-732-8333

Watch the Heat!

Children should never be left alone inside a car, even for a few minutes.

Many parents mistakenly think they can leave a child in a vehicle while running a “quick” errand. Unfortunately, a delay of just a few minutes can lead to tragedy. Heat is much more dangerous to children than it is to adults. In a hot vehicle, a young child’s core temperature can increase three to five times faster than that of an adult, causing permanent injury or death.

Safety in Your Driveway

While parked in a driveway, your car can be especially hazardous. Unlocked cars pose serious risks to children who are naturally curious and often lack fear. Once they crawl in, young children don’t have the developmental capability to get out.

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign warns parents to be especially vigilant about their children’s safety on days when the temperature is 80 degrees or higher. Prevent heat-related injuries in cars by taking the following safety precautions:

• Never leave your child in an unattended car, even with the windows down.
• Teach children not to play in or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks even at home.
• Be wary of child-resistant locks. Teach older children how to disable the driver’s door locks if they unintentionally become entrapped in a motor vehicle.
• Check to make sure all children leave the vehicle when you reach your destination.
• Don’t overlook sleeping infants.
• Watch children closely around cars, particularly when loading and unloading.
• Make sure you check the temperature of the car seat’s surface and safety belt buckles before restraining your child in the car.
• Use a light covering to shade the seat of your parked car. Consider using windshield shades in front and back windows.

Adapted from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign (Washington, D.C.) and reprinted with permission.

ChildSafeNet – Making Communities Safer for Kids

Programs include:

• Protecting Children Against Sex Offenders – the P’CASO Partnership Program.
• Safety Online – Personal Security Rules for the Internet Age.
• The Sex Offender Registry – What Is It? How Does It Work?
• Empowering Kids - Resisting Aggression Defensively in the Open Community.
• Take Care – The S.A.F.E. Program for Women and Teenage Girls.
• Safer Communities for Kids – the Role of the Neighborhood Watch Program.
• Safety Begins at Home – Home Security Measures for Everyone.
• Behind the Scenes – The Importance of Background Checks in Protecting Children.
• Where To Turn – Helpful Resources for Parents, Kids and Educators.

Contact Anne Harrison, anne@childsafenet.org to plan a ChildSafeNet program. Also ask about ChildSafeNet’s “Child Safety Corner” articles for your community newsletters.

Parents and kids should go over these Quick Tips together and regularly discuss the importance of each rule. Keep them in mind and post them near your computer and around the house as regular reminders.

Safety Online

• Keep All Personal Identification Information Private. People on the Internet may not be who they seem. When you give out your name, address, phone number, school or other personal information you have no control over who it goes to.
• Never Ever Agree to Get Together with Someone New You “Meet” on the Internet. If anyone suggests this, tell your parents or a trusted adult immediately.
• Never Respond to Email, Chat Room or Other Messages that Make You Uncomfortable in Any Way. Trust your instincts and tell a parent or other trusted adult immediately if you get inappropriate Internet messages.
• Set Good Ground Rules for Safe Use of the Internet. Parents and kids should set the right rules together! Visit ChildSafeNet’s Web site, www.childsafenet.org for good Internet safety tips and for Internet blocking and filtering software.

Words That Help Kids

A Calendar of Activities for Parents & Children

 

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Make puppets from socks	Visit the library	Tell Stories	Take a walk	Draw you family on paper	Display your children's artwork	Find your city on a map
Jump rope	Make a growth chart	Make lunch	Collect clothes for needy families	Read a book	Let the children plan an activity	Draw a picture
Make a photo album	Put your birthdays on a calendar	Picnic indoors or outdoors	Work on a jigsaw puzzle	Feed the birds	Send a postcard to a friend	Let kids try on your old clothes
Have a fire drill	Let everyone tell a joke	Make pasta necklaces	Visit an art gallery	Make popcorn	Talk about safety in the home	Bake cookies
Plant an indoor garden	Invite your child's friends over	Discuss current events	Trace your hands	Make hot chocolate	Put together a first aid kit	Visit friends or relatives

Reprinted with permission of the publisher, National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, Chicago , Illinois .

Other Fun Things to Do

• Go swimming
• Play badminton
• Play softball
• Fly a kite
• Learn a new game
• Go to the park
• Make a finger painting
• Go camping
• Plant a vegetable garden
• Build a sandbox
• Take pictures
• Dress up using adult clothing
• Play jacks
• Make a pizza
• Go for a bike ride
• Go to the zoo
• Hand paint rocks
• Dictate a story and make it into a little booklet

 

Community Centers

Fairfax County’s community centers are great! They’re positive places for kids, seniors and families to learn, grow and have fun. Center staff develop and plan recreation activities for all ages – young children, teenagers, young adults and senior citizens. They have a variety of sports and games and leisure activities offered on a day-to-day basis, including after school programs for children and teens. Most community centers are equipped with a Computer Clubhouse or computer lab, tennis and basketball courts, softball fields, and a game room. Take advantage of the many centers in Fairfax County. Hours of operation vary during summer break and school vacations.

Bailey’s Community Center 5920 Summers Lane Falls Church, VA 22041 703-931-7027; TTY 711 Mon - Sat: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Computer Clubhouse Mon - Fri: 2 - 8 p.m. Sat: 2 - 6 p.m. David R. Pinn Community Center 10225 Zion Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 703-250-9181; TTY 711 Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Gum Springs Community Center 8100 Fordson Road Alexandria, VA 22306 703-360-6088/6092/0982; TTY 711 Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat: 1 - 10 p.m. Computer Clubhouse Mon - Fri: 2 - 8 p.m. Sat: 2 - 6 p.m. Willston Multicultural Center 6131 Willston Drive Falls Church, VA 22044 703-532-6018/6025; TTY 703-222-9693 Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. CRS Staff on duty: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. / 5:30 - 10 p.m. Sun: Noon - 4 p.m. New after-school recreation program: Mon - Fri: 1:30 - 6 p.m. Computer Clubhouse Mon: 2 - 6 p.m. Tue - Fri: 3 - 7 p.m. Southgate Community Center 12125 Pinecrest Road Reston, VA 20191 703-860-0676; TTY 711 Mon - Thu: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat: Noon - 10 p.m.

Huntington Community Center 5751 Liberty Drive Alexandria, VA 22303 703-960-1917/9049; TTY 711 Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat: Noon - 8 p.m. James Lee Community Center 2855A Annandale Road Falls Church, VA 22042 703-534-3387, ext. 200; TTY 711 Mon - Sat: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Computer Clubhouse Mon - Fri: 2 - 8 p.m. Mott Community Center 12111 Braddock Road Fairfax, VA 22030 703-278-8605/8909; TTY 711 Mon & Wed: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tue& Thu: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat.: 1 - 10 p.m. Computer Clubhouse Mon - Fri: Noon - 8 p.m. Sacramento Neighborhood Center 8792 Sacramento Drive Alexandria, VA 22309 703-619-2964; TTY 711 Mon: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tues - Fri: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. City of Falls Church Community Center 223 Little Falls Street Falls Church, VA 22046 703-248-5077, TTY 711 Mon - Thu: 8 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Fri: 8 a.m. - Midnight Sat: 8:30 a.m. - Midnight Sun (Apr. - Dec.): 2 - 6 p.m. (Jan. - Mar.): Noon - 6 p.m.

City of Fairfax residents may go to any Fairfax County Community Center

Fairfax County Library Programs
June 17 - August 30, 2008

Free Activities For Kids!

Give your kids a fun summer filled with free programs and activities at the Fairfax County Public Library.

Designed to help students enjoy books and maintain reading comprehension skills during summer vacation, the library’s Summer Reading Program is offered in cooperation with Fairfax County Public Schools and runs from June 17 to August 30. Kids who read the required number of books will win prizes donated by area businesses. All kids can enjoy live performances by actors, artists, musicians, magicians, puppeteers, storytellers and animal wranglers. Visit your local library and sign up for the Summer Reading Program!

Regional Branches Sunday: Noon - 6 P.M. Monday - Thursday: 10 A.M. - 9 P.M. Friday: 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. Saturday: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Centreville Regional 703-830-2223 Chantilly Regional 703-502-3883 City Of Fairfax Regional 703-293-6227 George Mason Regional Annandale 703-256-3800 Pohick Regional Burke 703-644-7333 Reston Regional 703-689-2700 Sherwood Regional Alexandria 703-765-3645 Tysons-Pimmit Regional Falls Church 703-790-8088

Community Branches Monday - Thursday: 10 A.M. - 9 P.M. Friday: 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. Saturday: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Burke Centre Opens July 2008 Dolley Madison Mclean 703-356-0770 Great Falls 703-757-8560 Herndon Fortnightly 703-437-8855 John Marshall Alexandria 703-971-0010 Kings Park Burke 703-978-5600 Kingstowne Alexandria 703-339-4610 Lorton 703-339-7385

Martha Washington Alexandria 703-768-6700 Oakton 703-242-4020 Patrick Henry Vienna 703-938-0405 Richard Byrd Springfield 703-451-8055