Central Pennsylvania Regional Programs & Events – May 2025
CHILDREN
Read to the Dogs
Dates: Tuesdays (May 6th & May 13th)
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
Legapalooza
Date: May 7th
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 Snacks & Stories
Dates: Thursdays
Time: 4:45pm-5:15pm
Ages: K-5th grades
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Listen to stories and share an afterschool snack
Afterschool Adventures: Building Masters
Date: May 1st
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
Location: Ameilia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Test building skills using various building materials such as Legos, Knex and Keva
Registration: Online registration required
Barks & Books
Date: May 1st
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Sign up for 15 minutes reading session with Danny, the therapy dog.
Registration: Register at library or call (717)624-2182
Fruit Stand Friday
Date: May 2nd
Time: 11:00am-11:30am
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Learn about a new fruit each month with stories, crafts and samplings. The fruit for May is the lemon.
Button Bouquets
Date: May 2nd
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Ages: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Create a bouquet out of buttons to keep or to give as a gift
Registration: Online registration required
The Falconry Girl
Date: May 3rd
Time: 10:00 am
Ages: Elementary
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Learn about falconry from Margaret, the falconry girl and her raptors
Revenge of the 5th
Date: May 5th
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Watch a Star Wars movie, make a craft & share a snack
Registration: Online registration required
Barks & Books
Date: May 5th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Drop in to read to Danny, the therapy dog
Window Art
Date: May 5th
Time: 6:30pm-7:15pm
Ages: 5yrs-10yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Make a colorful suncatcher
Registration: Online registration required
Customizable Penny Spinner
Date: May 8th
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Create your own spinners & learn the science behind spinners
Crafternoon
Date: May 8th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Join friends in making crafts
Afterschool Craft Time
Date: May 8th
Time: 4:30pm-5:45pm
Ages: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Hands-on crafts
Registration: Online registration required
Afterschool Adventures: Arts & Crafts
Date: May 8th
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Create fun bubble art pictures
Registration: Online registration required
Donut Date: Mother’s Day Crafting Event
Date: May 10th
Time: 10:00am
Ages: Up to 12yrs
Location: Amelia Givens Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Make special gifts for Mom. Make several crafts & cards
Registration: Online registration required
Barks & Books
Date: May 13th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Stop by and read to a therapy dog
Barks & Books
Date: May 13th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Sign up for a 15mins slot to read to a therapy dog
Registration: Online registration required
Pajama Storytime
Date: May 20th
Time: 6:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Wear PJs to enjoy stories & songs
Make Your Own Lip Balm
Date: May 15th
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Use 3 ingredients to make your own lip balm
Registration: Online registration required
Afterschool Adventures: STEM
Date: May 15th
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Design & build your own gravity defying structures using toothpicks & marshmallows
Registration: Online registration required
Barks & Books
Date: May 19th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Stop by to read to Danny, the therapy dog
1-4-3 Day of Kindness Storytime
Date: May 21st
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Celebrate the kindness & generosity of Mister Rogers
Registration: Online registration required
TEENS /TWEENS
Monthly Crafts: Watercolor Art
Dates: May 1st-May 31t
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Stop by the library (Tues-Friday) to destress by watercolor painting
Teen Book Club
Date: May 1st
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: 13yrs-15yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Join club to discuss The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvafer. Bring a snack to share
DIY Calming Bottles
Date: May 1st
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Create calming, glitter filled bottle
Registration: Online registration required
Graphic Novel Writing
Date: May 3rd
Time: 10:00am-Noon
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Create & work on your graphic novel for the graphic novel contest.
Mother’s Day Craft
Date: May 4th
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Decorate a votive candle holder & add electric tea light for mom
Registration: Online registration required
Gaming Club
Dates: Tuesdays (No meeting on May 27th)
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Hone your skills & learn new games
Registration: Online registration required
Extracting DNA from a Strawberry
Date: May 7th
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Using simple tools, explore one way to extract genetic material from a strawberry
Registration: Online registration required
Teen Summerquest Volunteer Info Night
Date: May 8th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Learn about opportunities to help at library this summer
Registration: Online registration required
Teen Time
Date: May 8th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: DIY coaster with supplies provided
Table Tennis Tournament
Date: May 9th
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Compete in table tennis tournament & win prizes. If you don’t want to compete, you can help referee games and call points
Registration: Online registration required
Teen Spring Paint Night
Date: May 12th
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Ages: 11yrs-18yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Join Rob Ross for a spring painting adventure
Registration: Online registration required
Diamond Painting
Date: May 1st & May 15th
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
Writers Workshop
Dates: May 13th & May 27th
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
Aspiring Authors
Date: May 15th
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Come share your writings to grow your skills & support other authors
Goofy Goober Movie Afternoon
Date: May 16th
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Watch a movie about your favorite yellow friend who lives in a pineapple under the sea. Popcorn provided
Registration: Online registration required
Teen STEAM Night
Date: May 15th
Time: 6:00pm- 7:00pm
Ages: 12yrs-18yrs
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Interactive STEAM activities with root beer floats
Registration: Online registration required
Manga Mania Meet-up
Date: May 16th
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Drop by to join friends in discussing anime
Writers’ Group
Date: May 20th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Join writers of all levels & genre to hone your skills & discuss projects
Registration: Online registration required
Fortnite Tournament
Date: May 20th
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Contestants play a game of Solo Battle Royale & the highest rank is the winner
Registration: Online registration required
FAMILIES
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
Diamond Painting
Date: May 1st & May 15th
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Bring your own project or do a small monthly project provided by library
Registration: Online registration required
Book Bingo
Date: May 7th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Ages: Everyone
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Play bingo & win books
Registration: Online registration required
Writer Workshop
Date: May 13th & May 27th
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Discuss writing projects
Registration: Online registration required
Introduction to Diamond Painting
Date: May 8th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: 7yrs & up
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Introduction class on diamond painting with small painting
Writers’ Group
Date: May 20th
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: May 17th
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Monthly screening of a classic film
Video Game Palooza
Date: May 22nd
Time: 6:15pm-7:15pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Enjoy a night of gaming & learn new games
Random Acts of Kindness Cards
Date: May 23rd (Noon-6:00pm)
May 24th (10:00am-4:00pm)
Ages: Everyone
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Drop in to make a random act of kindness card in celebration of 1-4-3 Day.
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: Mondays
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
Library Book Sale
Dates: April 16th – May 3rd
Location: Dillsburg Library
Time: During regular library hours
Ag Explorers Day Camp
Date: June 16th-20th
Time: 8:00am-4:00pm
Location: Adams Co Agricultural Center, 670 Old Harrisburg Rd, Gettysburg
Details: Weekly day camp with hands-on agricultural activities & field trips. Sponsored by Penn State Extension & Adams Couty 4-H
Fee: $170 ($155 with early registration discount by April 15th)
Registration: (717) 334-6271 or adamsext@psu.edu
Ned Smith Center Youth Art Contest
Details: Theme of Gone for the Day – Spring. Depict a nature scene as it would be during spring. Several age categories. Winning works will be displayed in juried event. See guidelines at www.nedsmithcenter.org.
Deadline: May 23, 2025
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.