Overview of Adventure

TOPOnexus and the Petoskey District Library partnered to offer a spring and summer session of Story Adventures from May to August 2021. The project resulted in 158 individual library experiences.

By responding to a need for PreK programming, the collaboration yielded a positive outdoor learning experience, a deeper connection to the library, and exposure to the TOPOnexus way of learning.

Story Adventure participants were introduced to a theme (trees, town, rocks, water) through a short storytime and then sent out to explore Petoskey with a field guide and map full of age-appropriate prompts and questions relating to the theme. The library labyrinth and surrounding community provided a powerful setting where kids could be self-paced learners and get to know Petoskey better. Adult participants were guided to facilitate child-led play and make new connections with the library and our community.

Impact & Wide Reach

Spring Session

Summer Session

Collaboration

Our collaboration was successful on multiple levels. We worked together to:

• Help families experience Petoskey in a new way while using their sense of wonder

• Expose families to high-quality children’s literature

• Promote the library as a place for adventure

• Encourage families to foster early literacy skills by engaging young children with questions, prompts, songs and movement

• Provide a Covid-smart outdoor learning experience

Wonder & Whoa!

We witnessed many special learning moments between children and adults. Families enjoyed a multi-sensory literacy experience before exploring Petoskey and creating a shared play and place-based experience that can be easily replicated. We noticed a developing sense of ownership of the library and surrounding community among repeat participants. Based on this positive momentum, we’re excited to continue our collaboration. 

What is Wonder & Whoa?

Without wonder, we cannot gain new perspectives or innovate. With wonder, we become lifelong learners. We are full of wonder. Whoa is something that stops you in your tracks and inspires, surprises, or shocks you. Together, wonder and whoa have the transformative power to create meaningful personalized learning.