2026 Summer Learning Challenge: Can You Dig It?
June 20th – August 8th
Get ready for a summer of discovery, adventure, and hands-on fun with the 2026 Summer Learning Challenge: Can You Dig It? This year’s challenge invites readers of all ages to explore the fascinating worlds of archaeology and paleontology through reading, activities, and library programs all summer long.
From ancient civilizations to prehistoric creatures, there’s something new to uncover every week. Complete activities, track your reading, and earn chances to win exciting prizes while learning along the way!
Help Us Reach Our Community Reading Goal!
Last summer, our community came together to read an incredible 8,897 books during the Summer Learning Challenge. This year, we’re aiming even higher with a community-wide goal of reading 10,000 books together!
Every book logged helps us get one step closer to our goal, so whether you read one book or one hundred, your reading makes a difference.
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 You Did It… Already! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Our Community Reading Goal Just Got Bigger!
Thanks to your incredible enthusiasm, our community has already reached our original goal of 10,000 books read by the end of the Summer Learning Challenge on August 8! And, you did it in only three weeks!
We are absolutely amazed by what our community has accomplished together. Every book you’ve read, every page you’ve turned, and every minute you’ve spent reading has helped make this summer a huge success before we have even reached the half way mark.
So… what do we do now?
We’re raising the goal!
Our new community challenge is to reach 15,000 books read by the end of the Summer!
Can we read another 5,000 books before the challenge ends? We think we can, but only with your help. Keep logging your reading, encourage your family and friends to keep reading, and let’s see just how far we can go together. Whether you’ve read one book or one hundred, every book counts toward our new goal.
Thank you for making this one of our most successful Summer Learning Challenges yet. We can’t wait to celebrate reaching 15,000 books with all of you!
How the Challenge Works
Sign up for the Can You Dig It? challenge on Beanstack. Participants can earn tickets throughout the summer by completing squares on their Bingo board. Each square can be completed by:
- Logging books you read
- Completing themed “Can You Dig It?” activities
- Participating in learning and exploration challenges
Every completed square earns 1 prize ticket.
Bonus Tickets
- Complete your first Bingo row to earn 5 bonus tickets
- Fill your entire Bingo board to earn an additional 10 bonus tickets
Participants can earn up to 40 total tickets during the challenge.
Choose the Prizes You Want
Use your earned tickets to enter prize drawings for the rewards that interest you most. Save all your tickets for one grand prize or spread them across multiple drawings for additional chances to win. Check out the 2026 Prize Guide!
Explore All Summer Long
Throughout the summer, the library will offer themed programs, activities, and events designed to inspire curiosity and creativity for all ages. Whether you love dinosaurs, fossils, ancient history, or discovering something new, the Summer Learning Challenge is your chance to dig into learning and fun all season long.
Join us this summer and help Charles County Public Library dig our way to 10,000 books!
Sign up now on Beanstack and start earning your badges!
2026 Summer Learning Challenge Program Schedule
Events – by Date
Events – by Branch
Are you participating in summer reading but need books in accessible formats such as audio, large print, or braille?
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) offers free services and books for qualifying readers with visual or print disabilities.
Visit https://lbpd.maryland.gov/ for more information, or ask us how to get started!