Story Adventures with the Petoskey District Library

Following a successful 2021 season of Story Adventures, TOPOnexus and the Petoskey District Library renewed their collaboration to offer a spring session in May and June 2022. 

Overview of Adventure

By responding to a need for PreK programming, the collaboration yielded a positive outdoor learning experience, a deeper connection to the library and the community of Petoskey, as well as exposure to the TOPOnexus way of learning. The project resulted in 140 individual library experiences.

“I loved discovering someplace new - Clara loved the map - it gave her ownership of the adventure.”

— Testimonial from a participant

Impact & Wide Reach

Reach

Outcome and Impact

Story Adventure participants were introduced to a different theme (trees, town, rocks or water) at each short story time 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. These families are now empowered with tools to create their own Story Time or Story Adventure wherever they live and wherever they are.

“Able to go at our own pace. Just enough structure to engage but not overwhelm.”

— Testimonial from participant

Assess Success

Collaboration

This was another successful collaboration between Petoskey District Library and TOPOnexus. Our co-laboring was successful on multiple levels: we worked together to offer a responsive, community-based program and to harness the resources of the library and the city of Petoskey to create a meaningful learning experience for children and adults.

“Doing an activity that's relevant to the area.”

— Testimonial from participant