In a land not so far away, known as the grand state of Illinois, where the mighty Mississippi River dances with the sunlight and the iconic city of Chicago sings a song of hustle and bustle, there lies an extraordinary group of kiddos. They're not your ordinary bunch, oh no! They are the Reading Rangers of Illinois, the heroes of the storybooks, the conquerors of words! These Reading Rangers have an insatiable curiosity and an unstoppable imagination that can journey through realms of fantasy, adventure, and mystery without leaving home. Each day, they embark on an adventurous quest, armed with words, sentences, and paragraphs. They dive into books in the bustling libraries of Chicago, in the calm corners of Springfield, and even under the vast starry skies of Shawnee National Forest. Leading this brave group is our cool, imaginary character, outspoken and mischievous BookBug, a talking bookmark with spectacles as thick as the Chicago-style pizza, and a cape as long as the Mississippi River! BookBug, with his knack for turning pages and spinning stories, navigates the Reading Rangers through the jungle of alphabets, rescues them from the quicksand of confusion, and fights off the dreaded monster called Boredom. Each day, BookBug and the Reading Rangers laugh in the face of the impossible words, wrestle with tricky phrases, and make friends with letters big and small. They solve riddles, crack codes, and unlock secrets hidden among the pages, all while having a bellyful of laughs. In Illinois, reading is not just an activity, it's a roller coaster ride of fun, and the Reading Rangers are the most fearless riders!
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For over 50 years, Frontier Camp has been dedicated to making disciples of Jesus by sharing God’s Word amidst the beauty of His creation. Since our founding in 1969, we’ve been licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services and are proudly accredited by the American Camping Association. We’re also a member of the Christian Camping and Conference Association. Our mission is to use Christian camping and outdoor recreation as a means to support local churches in fulfilling the Great Commission—evangelizing people of all ages and discipling believers toward deeper maturity in Christ. Frontier Camp offers a dual ministry: during the summer, we host a 10-week youth camp, and throughout the rest of the year, we serve as a retreat facility for churches and like-minded religious organizations. Whether through summer camps or retreats, our goal remains the same: to expose people to Christ and encourage their spiritual growth through His Word and by reflecting His character in everything we do. While we provide top-notch recreation and exciting programming, the heart of our camp is the spiritual impact, rooted in the truth of God’s inerrant Word.
The Park District and Park Foundation are collaborating to ensure that all park district residents have access to the recreational programs. To this end, assistance is provided to those facing financial hardship. This program is available to all who live in the park district boundaries and are in need of assistance. Individuals who have special medical, physical, psychological, and/or emotional needs or receive special services from the school district are also encouraged to reach out to the Park District. The staff at Lincolnway Special Recreation Association will work with the Park District to provide reasonable accommodations to participants with disabilities. Participants who would like to request inclusion services are asked to complete the appropriate forms provided by the Park District.
The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library is committed to providing the community with the resources to promote enlightened citizenship and enrich personal lives. As a center of reliable information, it offers educational, civic, and cultural activities for groups and organizations, as well as opportunities and encouragement for all ages to educate themselves continuously. Additionally, the library strives to identify community needs and provide programs of service to meet them, including recreational opportunities through literature and other art forms.