Central Pennsylvania Events
Central Pennsylvania Regional Programs & Events – January 2025
CHILDREN
Homeschool Club STEAM
Date: January 3rd
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Ages: 5yrs-12yrs
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Make snowball catapults
Registration: Online registration required
Barks & Books
Date: January 6th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Practice reading to Danny, the therapy dog
Read to the Dogs
Dates: January 7th, January 14th, January 21st & January 28th
Time: 4:50pm-5:10pm
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Register for 15 min slot to read to therapy dogs
Registration: Online registration required
1st & 2nd Grade Book Club
Date: January 8th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Monthly meeting to discuss a good book & share a snack
Legapalooza
Date: January 8th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Ages: 4yrs-12yrs
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Free play with optional challenges.
Registration: Online registration required
Afterschool Activities – Building Master
Date: January 9th
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
Ages: K-6th grades
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Building challenges using various materials such as Legos & Keva planks
Registration: Online registration required
Afterschool Snacks & Stories
Dates: January 9th, January 16th, January 23rd & January 30th
Time: 4:45pm-5:15pm
Ages: K-5th grades
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Listen to stories and share an afterschool snack
Crafternoon
Date: January 9th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Ages: K-5th grade
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Make seasonal snow craft
Afterschool Craft-time
Date: January 9th
Time: 4:30pm- 5:45pm
Ages: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Hands-on art activities on winter snowflakes
Registration: Online registration required
Second Saturdays: Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
Date: January 11th
Time: 10:30am-11:30am
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Join Ms. Dana for snowman stories & build snowmen in a variety of ways
Registration: Online registration required
Barks & Books
Date: January 14th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Read to a therapy dog
Registration: Online registration required
Books & Barks
Date: January 14th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Practice reading to a therapy dog. Call (717) 259-9000 to reserve a 15 min slot
SEL Storytime- A Wellness Kit
Date: January 15th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Work on putting together a wellness kit for 2025
Registration: Online registration required
3rd & 4th Grade Book Club
Date: January 15th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Monthly book club to discuss a good book & share a snack
Masterpiece Makers – Louise Nevelson
Date: January 16th
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Ages: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Learn about Louise Nevelson, an American assemblage artist, then create your own masterpiece based on her work.
Registration: Online registration required
Matchbox Racers
Date: January 16th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: 7yrs-11yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Design & paint your own matchbox car. Race to see who has the fastest car
Registration: Online registration required
Snow Globes
Date: January 16th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: 5yrs-12yrs
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Make your own snow globes
Registration: Online registration required
Afterschool Activities: Arts & Crafts
Date: January 16th
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
Ages: K-6th grade
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Create winter themed crafts
Registration: Online registration required
Homeschool- Full STEAM Ahead
Date: January 17th
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Ages: K-6th
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Hands-on STEAM learning
Registration: Online registration required
Winnie-the-Poohlooza
Date: January 17th
Time: 10:30am-11:30am
Ages: All ages
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Join a Winnie-the-pooh craft & watch on of the films. Snacks provided.
Registration: Online registration required
5th& 6th Grade Book Club
Date: January 22nd
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Monthly discussion of a good book & share a snack
Kids Discover: Snowflakes
Date: January 18th
Time: 10:00am
Ages: 10yrs-14yrs
Location: Wildwood Park, Harrisburg
Details: Join naturalist in exploring snowflakes & make your own snowflakes. Included winter walk. One chaperone must accompany child
Fee: $5.00 per child (chaperones are free)
Registration: www.explorewildwoodpark.org/events/
Barks & Books
Date: January 20th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Stop by & read to Danny, the therapy dog
Pajama Storytime
Date: January 21st
Time: 6:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Wear your PJs & bring a stuffed animal to hear stories & sing songs
Decorate Bookmarks
Date: January 22nd
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Ages: 5yrs-12yrs
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Create your own seasonal bookmarks
Registration: Online registration recommended
7th & 8th Grade Book Club
Date: January 29th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Monthly book club to discuss a good book & share a snack
Afterschool Adventures STEM
Date: January 30th
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
Ages: K-6th
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Test gravity with your own parachute
Registration: Online registration required
Homeschool Table Top Games
Date: January 24th
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Ages: 3yrs-18yrs
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Enjoy playing tabletop games provided by library
Registration: Online registration required
Winter Art
Date: January 26th
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Ages: 8yrs-16yrs
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Learn about artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye & make art inspired by her
Registration: Online registration required
STEM Design a Snowflake
Date: January 28th
Time: 4:00pm-4:45pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Design & make six sided snowflakes
Registration: Online registration required
TEENS /TWEENS
Homeschool Afternoon
Date: January 3rd
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Ages: 7th – 12th grades
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Hands-on chemical changes experiments
Registration: Online registration required
Gaming Club
Dates: Tuesdays
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Hone your skills & learn new games
Registration: Online registration required
Crash Team Racing Competition
Date: January 8th
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm (First Race)
4:30pm-5:30pm (Second Race)
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Come see who has the fastest car in town
Registration: Online registration required
New Year Vision Board- A Wellness Kit
Date: January 9th
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Create a vision board & help manifest a great year
Registration: Online registration recommended
Diamond Painting
Date: January 16th
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Ages: Teens & Adults (13yrs & up)
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Drop in and try a sparkling diamond painting project
Registration: Online registration required
Teen Diamond Art Painting
Date: January 9th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Ages: 12yrs-18yrs
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Enjoy doing a diamond painting. Snacks & supplies provided
Registration: Online registration required
Beaded Snowflakes
Date: January 9th
Time: 6:30pm-7:15pm
Ages: 11yrs-18yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Make beaded snowflakes to decorate your room
Registration: Online registration required
Bookmarks for a Cause
Date: January 10th
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Make bookmarks for home bound patrons & other seniors in the community. Earn an hour of community service
Teen Winter Paint Night
Date: January 13th
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Ages: 11yrs-18yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Join Rob Ross to paint a chilly winter painting. Same painting as the 12/16 session so only sign up for one session
Registration: Online registration required
Writers Workshop
Dates: January 14th & January 29th
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Explore writing and discuss elements of writing through prompts & independent writing.
Registration: Online registration suggested
Teen Time
Date: January 16th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Make bath bombs
Registration: Online registration required
Teen Homeschool – Full STEAM Ahead
Date: January 17th
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Hands-on STEAM learning
Registration: Online registration required
Battle of the Pizzas
Date: January 17th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library
Details: Two pizzas are going head-to-head. Vote for your favorite.
Winter Movie Afternoon
Date: January 22nd
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Watch a winter movie as you eat popcorn & drink hot cocoa
Registration: Online registration required
Hand Warmers
Date: January 24th
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Create a handwarmer to use on a cold day
Registration: Online registration Required
Photography Workshop
Date: January 25th
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Ages: 10yrs-15yrs
Location: Wildwood Park, Harrisburg
Details: Introductory photography workshop on camera basics by a wildlife photographer. Bring manual camera with instruction manual or smart phone.
Fee: $20
Registration: Online registration at www.explorewildwoodpark.org/events/
Terrific Tweens
Date: January 27th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Ages: 9yrs-13yrs
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Make snowflakes, snow globes & winter crafts
Registration: Online registration required
Teens Book Club
Date: January 30th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Teen Chess Competition
Date: January 30th
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Compete in chess games to determine grand master. Snacks & supplies provided
Registration: Online registration required
Paper Speaker STEM Activity
Date: January 31st
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm
Ages: 12yrs-18yrs
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Make a working music speaker out of paper
Registration: Online registration required
FAMILIES
Craft Your Cocoa
Date: January 4th
Time: All Day
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Drop in and craft your own cocoa from various ingredients
Fun with Chess
Dates: Mondays
Time: 6:00pm-7:45pm
Ages: All ages and skill levels
Details: Drop-in chess games for all skill levels
Where: Littlestown Library
Knot Another Stitch
Dates: Tuesdays
Time: 12:30pm-2:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Drop in to do needle crafts with friends. No registration needed. All skill levels welcome
Intro to Diamond Painting
Date: January 9th
Time: 6:30pm-7:15pm
Ages: 7yrs & up
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Learn how to diamond paint & make a colorful flower project
Registration: Online registration required
Writer Workshop
Date: January 14th & January 29th
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Discuss writing projects
Registration: Online registration required
Puzzle Night Competition
Date: January 14th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Ages: 13yrs & up
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Compete to see who can put a puzzle together the fastest. Book bundle prizes to each age group winner
Writers’ Group
Date: January 21st
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Hone your writing skills & discuss projects. All genres & writing levels
Registration: Online registration required
Saturday Matinee
Date: January 18th
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Enjoy a classic movie. See library for list of movies
Frozen Book Bingo
Date: January 22nd
Time: 6:00p-7:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Bingo with a frozen twist
Registration: Online registration required
Puzzle This – Jigsaw Puzzle Contest
Date: January 25th
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library
Details: Compete to see who can put together a puzzle fastest
Registration: Online registration required
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) provides many free programs and events for the entire family. These events include bird walks, wildflower walks, orienteering programs, and forestry/natural resource programs. Many parks also offer Pa history programs and have summer youth camps/programs. More information can be found at the DCNR Calendar of Events at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Knot Another Stitch: Knit & Needle Crafts
Dates: January 6th, January 13th, January 20th & January 27th
Ages: Everyone
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Details: Learn how to knit and do needle crafts via Zoom. Sponsored by Adams County Library
Registration: Online registration or call New Oxford Library
MISCELLANEOUS /FUTURE EVENTS
East Berlin Community Center Book Sale – January 8th – January 11th
Jigsaw Puzzle Swap
Date: January 18th
Time: Noon-4:00pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Drop off puzzles at the library and come to look for new puzzles
Amelia Given Memorial Library Book Sale – January 22nd-January 25
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve Homeschool Days:
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve naturalists will be offer homeschool days integrating art, science & literature. Programs are aligned with STEEL standards. Register at www.strawberryhillnaturepreserve.com
Oakes Museum- Homeschool Science Classes & Labs
Details: Numerous Homeschool science classes and labs for all ages of students. Curator Club offers Saturday morning science classes for 3rd-5th graders. CC2 provides labs on Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons for 6th-8th graders. Check Oakes Museum website at www.messiah.edu.