NAPPANEE — On your mark . . . get set . . . read!  The Nappanee Public Library’s annual summer reading initiative is back and bigger than ever. Staff have set the bar at 2.5 million pages, and they are confident that the goal can be met among card-holders.  Participants who help reach the goal, between June 1 and July 31, will have the chance to win achievement-level prizes from NPL’s “On Track Prize Box,” Main Street Coffee House and Coppes Commons as well as twelve exciting grand prizes for all ages!

Free Summer-use cards are available for any child age 18 and under living within the WaNee school district with participation in the Summer Reading Challenge. Get a jump start on reading at a kick-off event on Wednesday, June 1, from 3 – 6 p.m. Sign up for the reading challenge, grab a treat and participate in some fun health and fitness activities.

Weekly programs for all ages are also planned throughout the summer.  Enjoy drop-in activities and crafts, storytimes, fitness challenges and special guest appearances on Tuesday afternoons in June from 10 to 11 a.m., including Healthworks Museum, the Jumping Jax jump rope team, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and ETHOS Science Center.

Fitness is the name of the game for this year’s initiative. Set some goals and make a plan for getting in shape with NPL’s help through programs like the NPL virtual race, where you log your distance over a two-month period by walking, jogging, skipping, riding a bike, or any other activity that moves you forward!

Find your fit every Thursday with a free workout session for adults from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., provided by various instructors.  Try cardio drumming, yoga, piloxing and more!  Register at least a week in advance of each session.

Adults and teens interested in learning more about the “Couch to 5K” program and developing a plan for running your first distance race can meet in a support group every Tuesday from 7 to 7:30 p.m.  No registration is necessary.

Learn basic self-defense strategies and techniques in a free class with Nappanee police officer and Physical Tactics Instructor, Nik Havert, on Tuesday, June 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. Register by Tuesday, May 31.

For more information on the reading challenge and all summer activities, go to www.nappaneelibrary.org, call (574) 773-7919, or find the Nappanee Public Library on Facebook!