This summer, Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council is inviting girls from across the community—whether they’re members or not—to join a season of discovery, empowerment and fun through the Summer Reading Challenge, a new program designed to ignite a love of reading and celebrate stories with strong girl leads.

Running from June 1 through August 31, 2025, the Summer Reading Challenge offers a simple and affordable way for families to engage in meaningful summer learning.

For just $5, participants will unlock access to weekly live read-alouds on Zoom, track their progress with a downloadable reading tracker and earn an exclusive Summer Reading patch upon completion.

Each week, children will tune in for a Tuesday afternoon read-aloud at 2 p.m., where they’ll enjoy stories brought to life by a lineup of community leaders, educators and local changemakers.

The program will launch on Tuesday, June 3, with a special guest appearance by Beth Casey, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, who will serve as the first community reader.

“We created this program as a way to make reading exciting, affordable and inclusive for every girl,” said Beth Casey, Chief Executive Director of Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council.

“Whether your child is already a Girl Scout or is completely new to our world, this is an opportunity to explore incredible stories, meet inspiring characters and unlock a summer full of learning.”

Participants can choose from a recommended reading list or select their own books from home or school that feature themes of girl empowerment, leadership and confidence.

As they read and track their progress throughout the summer, they’ll work toward earning a one-of-a-kind Girl Scout Summer Reading Challenge patch to recognize their achievement.

This program is open to Girl Scouts and non-members alike, offering a fun and welcoming entry point for families who may be curious about what Girl Scouts has to offer.

Registration is now live and will remain open through the summer at https://girlscouts.info/read.

In addition, community members are encouraged to get involved as guest readers to help inspire the next generation of readers and leaders. To volunteer as a guest reader, contact Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council at 304-345-7722.

For more information about Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, visit https://girlscouts.info/Join.