What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
Summer break means fishing, campfires, and lazy mornings for most Northwoods kids. But when rain rolls in or the midday heat gets too thick, Tomahawk Public Library has a plan to keep young minds sharp without feeling like school.
The library’s summer reading program kicks off June 15 with this year’s theme: “Unearth a Story.” It’s a free lineup of story times, reading challenges, weekly seek-and-finds, and Thursday morning events designed to make books feel less like homework and more like treasure hunting.
“We like to help encourage reading in the summer by making it fun,” says Annette Miller, Children’s Librarian at Tomahawk Public Library. The library’s been running these seasonal programs for years, giving families an indoor activity option when summer plans need a Plan B.
Teachers call it the summer slide — that dip in reading skills when kids take three months off from school. It’s real, and it hits hardest for younger readers who need consistent practice to build fluency.
Libraries across Wisconsin tackle this by turning reading into a game. Tomahawk’s approach mixes story time on Tuesday mornings with hands-on activities on Thursdays, plus weekly challenges that come with actual rewards.
This year’s prize stash includes squishmallows and tickets to Woodchucks and Ignite games, which beats a gold star sticker any day.
The program welcomes all ages, from toddlers who can barely hold a board book to middle schoolers looking for their next series.
Here’s what’s on the schedule:
Most families hear about the program through school outreach or the library’s afterschool activities, which run year-round. Miller and her staff work hard to make sure every kid in Tomahawk knows the library’s not just for quiet studying.
Tomahawk Public Library serves a dual role in this community. It’s a literacy center, sure, but it’s also one of the few free public spaces where families can spend time together without opening their wallets.
That matters when you consider the cost of summer. Camps run expensive. Childcare eats budgets. Even a trip to the Dells adds up fast.
“We feel very fortunate that we have a library and provide programming. Our staff is great about that, and it makes people want to come here and enjoy a book.” — Annette Miller
The library pulls this off thanks to support from the Friends of the Library, a local group that helps fund materials and programs through donations and fundraising. Community backing keeps these summer activities accessible to everyone, regardless of income.
Summer reading programs at Tomahawk Public Library go back at least to 2015, when the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction featured the library in its monthly spotlight. A decade later, the tradition’s still going strong.
The library already runs regular programming throughout the year — Library Time for toddlers, Tinker Tuesday for K-8 students, and ongoing reading challenges with prize drawings. Summer reading fits naturally into that rhythm.
What sets this apart from a typical school assignment is the emphasis on choice and fun. Kids pick what they want to read. They earn rewards for participation, not grades. They get to see friends and try new activities in a space that feels welcoming rather than evaluative.
Tomahawk’s summer identity leans heavily on lakes, trails, and outdoor adventure. Tourism drives the local economy. Families come here to unplug and get outside.
But summer in the Northwoods also means thunderstorms that roll in without warning, heat waves that make noon hikes miserable, and occasional stretches of rain that keep boats docked for days.
The library’s summer program offers a reliable indoor option that complements rather than competes with outdoor life. It gives families something to do when weather won’t cooperate, and it keeps kids’ reading muscles flexed between fishing trips and campfire nights.
Registration details and specific event schedules will be available as June approaches, but families can start planning now. The program officially begins June 15 and runs through summer break.
All ages are welcome. No fees, no prerequisites, no pressure — just show up and see what happens when you unearth a story or two.
For a region that takes pride in lakes and forests, it’s worth remembering that Tomahawk Public Library is its own kind of resource. The stories waiting on those shelves might not have the same thrill as catching a muskie, but they offer adventures that don’t depend on weather, gas money, or bug spray.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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