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Missions
Our librarians have put together several activities, for a variety of challenges and levels. Complete an activity and you might unlock a more advanced one, and bragging rights, cool badges and maybe even a prize!

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100 Pts
A Time of Remembrance

November is a time to remember and honour those who have served - and are still serving - in the Canadian armed forces.




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100 Pts
Add a Little Madness this Winter
Do you enjoy the scary? Or just shaking up the usual? Here are some ideas to add some madness to your winter!


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100 Pts
Amateur Autumn Photography

Autumn is perhaps the most photogenic season in Ontario. Why not hone your amateur photography skills and snap some colourful fall photos? No selfies required!



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August 2021 Photo Mission

Get your camera ready and snap some photos to complete this mission. For each completed photo mission, you will earn 10 points!

Photos and writing sample submissions may be used (including and not limited to) in print publications, online media, broadcast media, presentations, websites, marketing materials and social media related to Idea Exchange without additional compensation. Changes and modifications to the original image may occur at the discretion of Idea Exchange.




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100 Pts
Backyard Tourist
Act like a tourist, close to home!

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100 Pts
Be a good neighbour
There are lots of cool and fun things you can do to make your little part of the world a better place.


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100 Pts
Be a Good Winter Neighbour!
Lend a helping hand this winter!

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100 Pts
Beat the Heat
These activities are great ways to find your cool in the midst of summer heat!

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Blue Spruce ®, JK-Grade 2

Welcome to the Blue Spruce Mission! Read each book, do the activity to go with the book and when you have completed that - collect your badge!

Each badge is worth points and an entry into our prize draw - Good Luck!

Once you are finished the activities, vote for your favourite book.



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100 Pts
Bonus Mission: Future Library

In this bonus mission, describe what your library of the future would look like.



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100 Pts
Book and Club Activites
Have a little fun with book and club theme activities, on your own or with friends and family.


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Canadian Adventures
Enjoy some Canadian flavours and sights this season!

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100 Pts
Check it out!
Just trying to share all the awesome things we have at Idea Exchange could take all day. Instead do this mission and explore the great items we have to offer!


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100 Pts
Chill Out!
Keep cool this summer with these fun tips!


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Chores Made Fun
Let no opportunity be wasted to listen to a song, read a magazine, or listen to an audiobook. Chores are the perfect opportunity for multitasking!

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Community Cares


Help brighten up someone’s day and make our community even better than it already is!




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100 Pts
Cozy creativity
Get cozy and let your creativity run wild! Making is all about enjoying the process, so carve out time to embrace it.

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100 Pts
Embrace the slow life

Take a slow start to the slow life.



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Expand Your Horizons
Have some fun and try something a little different this summer!

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Experimental Reading
Try something new!

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100 Pts
Fall Fun
Fall's my favourite season! I love the weather, the treats, Halloween and frankly it's the best season to curl up with a good book and get snuggly.


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100 Pts
Fall Scavenger Hunt
This scavenger hunt is all about having fun, exploring your local businesses and treating yourself.


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100 Pts
Five-Minute Vacation
Explore these suggestions to build a tiny bit of vacation time into every day.

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100 Pts
Get cozy mission
Is winter not really for you? Then check out this mission full of fun ways to keep warm.

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Get messy, create!
Summer is the time to embrace your inner child and get creative for the fun of it! Enjoy the process without worrying about the final product.

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100 Pts
Get Moving!
The cold winter weather can make us want to hibernate, but movement can have a positive impact on our bodies and minds when the days are dark! Challenge yourself to try new and exciting forms of movement. Adjust and modify these prompts to best serve your wonderful, unique self.


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100 Pts
Get organized

Take on these quick tasks that can help you feel more organized.



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Gingerbread House Contest: Adult (18+)
Submit a photo of your Gingerbread House for the Adult (18+) category!

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Gingerbread House Contest: Child (6 and under)
Submit a photo of your gingerbread house for the child (6 and under) category!

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Gingerbread House Contest: Teen (13-17)
Submit a photo of your Gingerbread House for the Teen (13-17) age category!

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Gingerbread House Contest: Youth (7-12)
Submit a photo of your Gingerbread House for the Youth (7-12) age category!

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100 Pts
Go out! Go Trekking!
Go Trekking in your community on a beautiful winter's day!

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Go wild


Get out there this summer and explore all the adorable critters near home!




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Good Old Days
Go back in time with these fun activities.

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100 Pts
History Lesson
Journey to the past and discover a bit more about the history of Cambridge.

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Hometown Tourist
We might not be able to travel this year, so act like a tourist – at home! 

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100 Pts
Hot Cinema
Even in the coldest months of the year, we can get away to warmth with the big screen! 

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100 Pts
Indoor Adventures
Enjoy an Indoor Adventure on a cold winter's day!

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100 Pts
Inspired by a book!
Try your hand at making some recipes from your favourite novels!

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100 Pts
Let it Snow!
When the weather outside is frightful, these activities will be so delightful!

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100 Pts
Life's a beach
They say life is what you make of it, so why not make it a beach?!


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Literary Pumpkin Decorating Contest: 12+
Create a pumpkin that looks like your favourite character from a book! Take a photo of your creation and submit it!


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100 Pts
Me Time

Autumn is a busy time with the back to school rush and preparation for holidays like Thanksgiving and Halloween. So why not take a pause and give yourself some “me time” while earning points as well!



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100 Pts
Mix it up
Put a little twist in everyday activities.

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Music in the Sun
Relax this summer with the warm weather and your favourite music!

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NASA: 60 Years and Counting
On October 1st, 2019, NASA will be celebrating its 60th birthday! For over six decades, NASA has brought the world an amazing number of bold missions in science, aviation, and human exploration. Watch these 8 videos to learn more about NASA and their accomplishments over these past six decades!

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100 Pts
Not Just a Walk in the Woods
Enjoy some local outings without breaking the bank.


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100 Pts
Out and About
Have some fun exploring your own backyard, and your community!

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Pick a Country
Explore the food, arts & culture of another country, without leaving home!

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100 Pts
Purrfect Summer Activities
Enjoy some purrfect summer activities on your own or with a companion.


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100 Pts
Quirky Questionnaire
Take a moment to reflect about yourself and answer these fun and quirky questions!

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100 Pts
Random acts of kindness
What does the world need if not a little more kindness? Spread joy in your community through this mission. If you want any more ideas for continuing on after the mission, check out https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/


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Random Acts of Writing
Get your pen and paper and flex your creativity by writing this summer! 

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Read Like A Kid
Kids seem to have no inhibitions when it comes to reading in wonderful or strange places! Take a page out of their book, and try reading in a new way.

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Scavenger Hunt
Have some fun in your neighbourhood and see what you find!


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100 Pts
Sensory Break
Take a break and engage the senses! 

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100 Pts
Short Outings
Having a busy summer?  Take a break with a local short outing .

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100 Pts
Silver Birch Express® Voting

Have you read the Silver Birch Express® nominees? Make sure to check out the missions for this category. Once you have completed all of the missions, it's time to vote. 


All votes will be tallied and submitted to Ontario Library Association (OLA) to qualify in the provide-wide vote. 



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100 Pts
Silver Birch Express®: Activities

Have you read the Silver Birch Express® nominees? Make sure to check out the missions for this category.

Complete at least three of the activities, and earn your Silver Birch Express® badge!



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100 Pts
Silver Birch Express®: Read the Books

Have you read the Silver Birch Express® nominees? Here is the list of the nominees for 2021. Check off each book that you read on the list. Read at least five titles to earn your Silver Birch Express® badge!





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100 Pts
Slow down this summer
Summer tends to fly by in a flurry of activity. Take time to slow down and enjoy the long days.

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100 Pts
Snow Inspired
Take your cue from the new-fallen snow, and try something new this winter!

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100 Pts
Stay Inside!
The weather outside is frightful, but you can have a lot of fun staying inside!

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100 Pts
Stay Warm!
If you want to stay warm and cozy this winter, some of these activities might hit the spot!

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100 Pts
Summer it up (in Winter!)
Ok, yes we all love Canada! But, no, we don't love the Canadian Winter. So defeat the winter blahs by having fun, summer-style, in Winter!


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Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
These activities are centered around one of our favourite summer sports, baseball! 

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The Great Outdoors
Get outside and get into nature! 

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The Movie Escape
Take a break from reading with a few good movies this summer with your Idea Exchange membership!

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100 Pts
The Natural World Around Us
Explore the world around you and use it as inspiration to get out and try new and creative things!

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100 Pts
Time to Sparkle!
Sparkle, glitter, and shine your way through the season!


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100 Pts
Treats and Trails

If you’re like me, you love nature but also enjoy the advantages of city life. Combine them both in this delicious and fun mission!



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1 Pts
week 1 constellations
Design and create a piece of art relating to the theme "Constellations". Once complete submit a photo of your art.

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White Pine Award™: Read the Books (Grades 9-12)

Have you read the White Pine Award™ nominees? Hereis the list of the nominees for 2021. Check off each book that you read on thelist. Read at least five titles to earn your Silver Birch Express® badge!



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White Pine Award™: Voting (Grades 9-12)

Have you read the White Pine Award™ nominees? Make sure to check out the missions for this category. Once you have completed all of the missions, it's time to vote. 

All votes will be tallied and submitted to Ontario Library Association (OLA) to qualify in the provide-wide vote. 



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100 Pts
Winter at the library
Check out all of our awesome stuff that will keep you and your family and friends busy this winter.


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100 Pts
Winter fun mission
I know sometimes we just feel like hibernating in the winter, but there are lots of fun things to do in the coldest season too.


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Yellow Cedar ®, Grades 4-8

Welcome to the Yellow Cedar ® Mission! Read each book, do the activity to go with the book and when you have completed that - collect your badge!

Each badge is worth points and an entry into our prize draw - Good Luck!



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Bonus mission: Cutest pet photo!
We were inspired by the fabulous canine models on our "Snow Much Fun" poster and wanted to keep the (snow)ball of adorable animals rolling! Show off your precious pet pals so we can shower them with compliments -  a tough job, but we're willing to do it. No points are given for this mission but if your pet is picked at the cutest in all of Cambridge, you will get a surprise gift for them (and bragging rights, of course!)


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Evergreen® Read the Books
Have you read the Evergreen® nominees? Here is the list of the titles for 2021. Check off each book that you read on the list. Read at least five titles to earn your Evergreen® badge!

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Gingerbread House Contest Child (6 and under)
Create a gingerbread house using all edible materials, take a picture of it and submit it here!


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100 Pts
Would You Rather

Life is full of decisions, and we've got a few more for you to make! Answer the questions below to complete the mission and earn more points!



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100 Pts
A Day on the Water
Whether you're a beach bum, enjoy walking along the river, or just want to plunk your feet in a kiddie pool to cool off on a hot day, water is a summer staple!


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100 Pts
Evergreen® Activities
Have you read the Evergreen® nominees? Check out the activities for each of the books in this category. Complete the activities and earn a badge.

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Gingerbread House Contest Youth (7-12)
Create a gingerbread house using all edible materials, take a picture of it and submit it here!

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100 Pts
Get in Touch with Your Inner Child

All the experts say that reconnecting with your childlike joy is great for you: it helps you de-stress, overcome tough times, be happier and even live a longer, healthier life. So why let kids have all the fun? Experience the joy and wonder of life!



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Gingerbread House Contest Teen (13-17)
Create a gingerbread house using all edible materials, take a picture of it and submit it here!

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Space is Neat

True or False. Are these space facts true? Or simply made up? Take a guess. You have a 50/50 chance of being right!

Type true or false into the completion box for each fact listed.



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Gingerbread House Contest Adult (18+)
Create a gingerbread house using all edible materials, take a picture of it and submit it here!

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Name That Planet
There used to be nine planets in our solar system, and now there are only eight! Think you can guess which of the eight planets are left? Using the provided clues, guess the correct planet and type your answer below each one. Only correct answers count, so keep trying and name that planet!
No need to worry if you guess wrong - you have an unlimited number of guesses for each planet!



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100 Pts
The Outside World
Get outside and enjoy the natural world!

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100 Pts
Adventures in Art
Art lovers rejoice! Try these fun activities to explore everything Cambridge Art Galleries has to offer this summer.


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100 Pts
Get in Touch with Nature
Getting in touch with nature can help reduce the effect of everyday stressors, and lead to better mental health. It helps you regain perspective, and can be a great way to spend quality time with friends, family, and yourself!

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White Pine Award™: Activities (Grades 9-12)

Have you read the White Pine Award™ nominees? Make sure to check out the missions for this category.

Complete at least three of the activities, and earn your White Pine Award™ badge!



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100 Pts
A Trip Abroad - at Home!
Maybe you can't travel overseas to all of the places you'd like, but that doesn't mean you can't experience new cultures at home.


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Le prix Peuplier: Lisez les livres

Il ya 10 livres nominés pour le prix Peuplier pour 2021.Cochez chaque livre que vous avez lu sur la liste. Lisez les 10 livres pourgagner votre badge de lecture du prix Peuplier! Vous gagnerez 10 points pour chaque livre que vous lisez. Quand vous aurez lu les 10 livres, vous pourrez voter pour votre livre favori et gagner encore plus de points pour le tirage du Grand Prix!  



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August 2021 Scavenger Hunt

For 10 points, can you find the secret code on our website? Visit https://ideaexchange.org/. Look for the article about "Game of Thrones." The secret code is the year mentioned in the article.



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100 Pts
Cambridge Scavenger Hunt
This summer, be a hometown tourist!

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Le prix Mélèze: Lisex les livres

Il y a 10 livres nominés pour le prix Mélèze pour 2021. Cochez chaque livre que vous avez lu sur la liste. Lisez 5 livres pour gagner votre badge delecture du prix Mélèze! Vous gagnerez 10 points pour chaque livre que vous lisez. Quand vous aurez lu 5 livres, vous pourrez voter pour votre livre favori et gagner encore plus de points pour le tirage du Grand Prix!  



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100 Pts
Leave Your Comfort Zone

Leaving your comfort zone can help increase your resilience, and give you a boost of self-confidence. Plus, it can be a lot of fun!



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100 Pts
A Day in the Library

Idea Exchange’s wonderful branches are great places to spend an easy-going summer day. Visit one of your favourite locations and tell us about it below to complete the mission and earn points!



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August 2021 Recommendations

Have you just discovered the new series everybody should be watching? Are you completely obsessed with a particular album? Is there a new TikTok account you think deserves more attention?

Tell us more about your favourite things! Whether it's movies, music, websites, restaurants, or anything else ... we want to hear about it! We might even share your recommendation on our website.

You can complete this mission up to 5 times per month!



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Let's read - Silver Birch® Titles

Read a minimum of 5 Silver Birch® titles to earn the Silver Birch® badge and to unlock the voting Mission, available on April 5, 2021.  

This is a wonderful collections of stories: there are travels to Japan, Tasmania and mythical lands, there travels back in time and memories to be enjoyed and held onto, there are friends to be made and personal growth to discover... a rich and varied collection of Canadian fiction for grades 4+.



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Let's explore - Silver Birch® Titles
Let's dig deeper into the Silver Birch® titles and challenge ourselves with these activities.  There are art projects, quizzes, videos and thoughtful reflections, each reflective of the books nature.  Complete 5 activities to earn the Silver Birch® activities badge. 

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Le prix Peuplier: Lisez les livres

Il ya 10 livres nominés pour le prix Peuplier pour 2021.Cochez chaque livre que vous avez lu sur la liste. Lisez les 10 livres pourgagner votre badge de lecture du prix Peuplier! Vous gagnerez 10 points pour chaque livre que vous lisez. Quand vous aurez lu les 10 livres, vous pourrez voter pour votre livre favori et gagner encore plus de points pour le tirage du Grand Prix!  



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Le prix Peuplier: Activités

Complétez trois activités pour gagner votre badge d’activités du prix Peuplier.



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10 Pts
Votez pour le prix Peuplier

Avez-vous lu les 10 livres nominés pour le prix Peuplier? Cliquez sur le lien fourni (dans la section activités de cette mission). Suivez les instructions pour voter. Dans chaque catégorie, vous pouvez voter seulement pour un livre.  

 

Tousles votes seront comptés et soumis à l'Association des bibliothèques de l'Ontario (ABO) pour se qualifier dans la catégorie du vote provincial.  



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Le prix Mélèze: Lisex les livres

Il y a 10 livres nominés pour le prix Mélèze pour 2021. Cochez chaque livre que vous avez lu sur la liste. Lisez 5 livres pour gagner votre badge delecture du prix Mélèze! Vous gagnerez 10 points pour chaque livre que vous lisez. Quand vous aurez lu 5 livres, vous pourrez voter pour votre livre favori et gagner encore plus de points pour le tirage du Grand Prix!  



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Let's read - Red Maple® Titles

Read a minimum of 5 Red Maple® titles to earn the Red Maple® badge and to unlock the voting Mission, available on April 5, 2021.  




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Le prix Mélèze: Activités
Complétez trois activités pour gagner votre badge d’activités du prix Mélèze.

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Let's explore - Red Maple® Titles
Let's dig deeper into the Red Maple® titles and challenge ourselves with these activities.  There are art projects, quizzes, videos and thoughtful reflections, each reflective of the books nature.  Complete 5 activities to earn the Red Maple® activities badge. 

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10 Pts
Votez pour le prix Mélèze

Avez-vous lu au moins 5 des livres nominés pour le prix Mélèze? Cliquez sur le lien fourni (dans la section activités de cette mission). Suivez les instructions pour voter. Dans chaque catégorie, vous pouvez voter seulement pour un livre.  

 

Tousles votes seront comptés et soumis à l'Association des bibliothèques del'Ontario (ABO) pour se qualifier dans la catégorie du vote provincial.  



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Le prix Tamarac: Lisex les livres
Il y a 10 livres nominés pour le prix Tamarac pour 2021. Cochez chaque livre que vous avez lu sur la liste. Lisez 5 livres pour gagner votre badge delecture du prix Tamarac! Vous gagnerez 10 points pour chaque livre que vous lisez. Quand vous aurez lu 5 livres, vous pourrez voter pour votre livre favori et gagner encore plus de points pour le tirage du Grand Prix!  

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Le prix Tamarac: Lisex les livres
Il y a 10 livres nominés pour le prix Tamarac pour 2021. Cochez chaque livre que vous avez lu sur la liste. Lisez 5 livres pour gagner votre badge delecture du prix Tamarac! Vous gagnerez 10 points pour chaque livre que vous lisez. Quand vous aurez lu 5 livres, vous pourrez voter pour votre livre favori et gagner encore plus de points pour le tirage du Grand Prix!  

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Le prix Tamarac: Activités

Complétez trois activitéspour gagner votre badge d’activités du prix Tamarac.



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10 Pts
Votez pour le prix Tamarac

Avez-vous lu au moins 5 des livres nominés pour le prix Tamarac? Cliquez sur le lien fourni (dans la section activités de cette mission). Suivez les instructions pour voter. Dans chaque catégorie, vous pouvez voter seulement pour un livre.  

 

Tousles votes seront comptés et soumis à l'Association des bibliothèques del'Ontario (ABO) pour se qualifier dans la catégorie du vote provincial.  



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"Story This!" Creative Writing Mission #1

Choose-Your-Own-Writing-Adventure!

In 750 to 1000 words, write...

  • your marriage vows
  • your retirement speech or
  • a letter to your younger self on your first day of school

and send it to teens@ideaexchange.org. We will send you a secret code within one week of your submission!

Send your story as a Word document and make sure to include your name and contact information. If your story is really good, we might post it on our website!

Check back next week for another creative writing mission!



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"Story This!" Creative Writing Mission #5

Step 1: Find a friend who liked to write, too.

Step 2: Write each other three fortune cookie sayings.

Step 3: Each of you chooses one of the saying and writes a poem inspired by it.

Step 4: Email your fortune cookie sayings and completed poems to teens@ideaexchange.org.

Send your story as a Word document and make sure to include your name and contact information. We will send you the secret code within one week of your submission. If your story is really good, we might post it on our website!

Check back next week for another creative writing mission!



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50 Pts
Belong Together Project
Part of the larger BelongTogether.ca project, Idea Exchange is creating and displaying a visible reminder that we, the individuals in our community, belong together. For 50 points, decorate a tile and three postcards, and then return them to any Idea Exchange location to put yourself in the puzzle!
Looking for volunteer hours? Returned packages with a submission slip, one wooden tile and three post cards will earn 3 volunteer hours. For those on our volunteer team already, the hours will be added to your VicNet account. Not yet a volunteer with us? You can include your email address and we’ll mail you a letter to confirm your hours.


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River Photo Challenge

Submit ANY 10 challenges from ANY category of the River Photo Challenge. Upload your photos here to earn points, and then be sure to upload them to the River Photo Challenge site to participate in that contest as well! 


Photos and writing sample submissions may be used (including and not limited to) in print publications, online media, broadcast media, presentations, websites, marketing materials and social media related to Idea Exchange without additional compensation. Changes and modifications to the original image may occur at the discretion of Idea Exchange.




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Zine Mission

Learn about zines in this mission. You will earn 10 points for completing the activity.




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