Teen Programs
The Tween/Teen Area is located across from our main Circulation Desk. Inside the Teen Area we have provided flexible furniture, a television for gaming, and a growing collection of books, graphic novels, audio books, and video games. The Tween/Teen Area is a safe and fun space for local youth to gather in. We denote the Tween/Teen age group as 11 – 17 years old.
Register online for youth programs: Click Here
Mondays: “Table Top Takeover”
First and third Mondays of the month. May through August from 4:00-6:00pm in the adult library.
Best for ages 12+. Note, the age range includes adults.
Participants select one of the available table top games to play independently or in groups!
This program is led by Maggie Strittmater, Adult Program and Outreach Coordinator.
No registration and no cost.
Wednesdays: “Chess Open Play”
On Wednesdays in June, July and August from 4:00-6:00pm in the Adult Library.
Best for ages 7+. Note, this age range includes adults.
Players ages 7 through adult are welcome to check out chess boards from the library’s front desk and organize in the adult library for game playing. Coaches will be present per their availability. Open Chess is player-driven, community-oriented time to independently organize to play chess!
No registration and no cost.
Wednesdays: “The Fellowship”
Hosted by Islands of Brilliance (IOB)
Wednesdays, February – September 2024 from 5:30 – 6:30pm in the program room.
Best for ages 16-24.
The weekly, 60-minute sessions run February through September and is led by a local educators and artists who have been hired and trained by IOB. Many of the Brilliant Fellows identify as neurodivergent and/or have close ties to the autism community. To ensure individual attention, each community fellowship is limited to 10 participants.
The classes couple a creative hands-on activity with a technology component that helps students express themselves and encourages them to develop positive interaction skills. In addition, attendees will establish connections with peers and mentors in their community, which can help address the isolation that neurodiverse teens and young adults often face.
Funding for the program came from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services through a grant using American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
Registration is required (R/R). No cost.
Interested participants can connect with Islands of Brilliance directly to register: https://islandsofbrilliance.app.neoncrm.com/forms/connectwithus or call (262) 224-4230.
Thursdays: “TLC Meet Ups”
McIntosh Memorial Library will host “Tween Leadership Committee Thursday Meetups” in June & July from 3:30-5:00pm in the Library’s Lobby for tweens and teens ages 10 plus.
The activities have been planned by tweens for tweens! Each meet up will have a different activity including:
July 11: an adventure themed escape room done in small groups in the Conference Room
July 18: mixing Japanese Kracie Popin’ Cookin’ kits in pairs
July 25: a chips & salsa competition- mild, medium, and hot!
All materials are provided for attendees. Items which are made can be kept. There is no registration & no cost.
TLC Meet Ups are for children entering middle school or are already in middle/high school.
In addition, tweens are welcome to hang out, chat, draw/color, listen to music and relax in the lobby and tween space during TLC Meet Ups.
Please call Christopher Olson, Youth Services Associate, with questions. (608) 637-7151 x. 9. Or, email at [email protected]
Fridays: “Nintendo Switch Gaming Tournaments”
Register to have your name added to the tournament bracket! You can bring your own Switch consoles, but only the library’s consoles will be used for tournament-play. You can use your own Switch console while you wait your turn to play. Matches are 3-minutes long, but depends on the amount of people that sign up.
All games are rated E for Everyone.
Art In the Park
With the Viroqua Parks and Recreation Department
Join us for a vibrant community art event at Eckhart Park’s Main Shelter on Friday, August 9th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. “Art in the Park” is a free, all-ages event designed for children, their families, and interested adults.
Organized by the McIntosh Memorial Library and Viroqua’s Park and Rec Department, this creative outdoor gathering will feature a variety of “creation stations,” including staff-led tie-dye, watercolor painting, finger paints, and sidewalk chalk. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pieces of cloth or clothing for tie-dye. All other materials will be provided, and attendees can take home their artistic creations.
Event Details:
- Event: Art in the Park
- Date: Friday, August 9, 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Eckhart Park, Main Shelter, Viroqua
- Admission: Free
- Registration: Not required
This event is open to everyone and offers a great opportunity for creative expression and family fun.
Important Note on Weather: In case of rain, delays or cancellations will be announced up to 30 minutes before the program starts. Please check the Viroqua Library Facebook page or call the library at (608) 637-7151 x. 6 for updates.
The Amazing Race
Tuesday, July 30th from 9:00am-12:00pm Noon
The race begins and ends in the library’s lobby. Contestants will visit 5 locations in and around downtown Viroqua during the game.
Best for all ages of youth and their families.
Teams of two to five (youth and their families) advance through the game by correctly answering questions and successfully completing activity challenges. Each accomplishment advances competitors to a new location in and around downtown Viroqua.
No contestants shall travel by car, bicycle, roller skates, skate boards, or any other means other than foot, wheelchairs, or push strollers for babies and toddlers.
We encourage teams to decide on a team name and dress similarly!
Team members can include adults, siblings, friends, neighbors, classmates, toddlers, and babies. You choose your team! Five people maximum per team. Each team must have at least one child aged 0-17 and no more than 3 adults per team.
More information will be issued after registration.
Registration is required (R/R). No cost.
Register online for youth programs: Click Here
Mermaid Pool Party
Wednesday, July 31st from 1:00-3:00pm at Bigley Pool at the Viroqua Middle School campus.
Best for all ages of youth and their families.
Real life mermaids greet children pool-side. They will also grant wishes and offer special gifts!
Young children and unskilled swimmers must be accompanied by an adult.
No registration and no cost. Drop by to swim and meet the mermaids!
Read to Win!
Thursday, August 1st through Friday, September 13th
Best for youth ages 0-17.
Beginning August 1st, youth ages 0-17 can pick up and complete a “Read to Win Reading Log” from the front desk to earn their choice of a free one-day entry pass or one free ride ticket. Total reading time averages 15-minutes a day for 40 days- a total of 10 hours!
Reading out loud to young children counts! Audio books count!
The last day to submit a completed reading log is Friday, September 13th at 6:00pm.
Only one reading log per child per year.
Special thanks to the Vernon County Agricultural Society Fair Board for making this reading incentive possible.
No registration and no cost.
Volunteer Opportunities!
Are you in middle or high school and looking for a great way to volunteer at the library? Have volunteer hours to fulfill? The library is your place to do so! Flexible hours and interesting opportunities!
Connect with the Library’s Youth Services Director, Laci Sheldon, at [email protected] or call 608-637-7151 x.5.
