Adult Services librarians Erin Oswald (left) and Caitlin Howe-Ndrio after completing a practice escape room challenge at the library.
The Moorestown library will hold a summer escape room during select times between Monday, July 29, and Thursday, Aug. 8.
Participating groups will be transported back in time to the ancient world and will need to solve challenges on ancient civilizations like Egypt, China, Greece and Rome. The library started the escape room a few years ago when it was celebrating the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter.
Escape room sessions help participants practice communication, leadership, social and problem-solving skills. Youth Services librarian Ashley Hoffman planned the Ancient Time Travel Adventure escape room to amplify the summer reading program theme, Adventure Begins at the Library.
“We tried our hand at our first escape room (and) it was super fun,” Hoffman said. “We all got into it, and then it just kind of became an instant tradition.”
Last year’s theme was I Survived Summer Camp, but this year, participants will be tasked with an ancient civilizations project for school. Players can come to the library to start their research but when they open their first book, they will be transported back in time to ancient Egypt.
Participating groups will need to solve the challenges of ancient civilizations like Egypt, China, Greece and Rome.
“The mission is that the kids are given a project in school – they’re given a research project about ancient civilizations – so naturally, they go to the library to do some research, but then when they open up their first book about ancient civilizations, they’re transported back in time to ancient Egypt. They have to figure out all the challenges to get back to 2024.”
All are welcome to participate, though one library card holder 12 years or older is required to register via the library events calendar at events.moorestownlibrary.org. Registrants can bring two to six people. Children under 12 are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
All seats are filled for the following dates and time slots: July 29 from 3 to 3:45 p.m., 4 to 4:45 p.m., 5 to 5:45 p.m., 6 to 6:45 p.m., 7 to 7:45 p.m. and 8 to 8:45 p.m.; July 30 from 4 to 4:45 p.m., 5 to 5:45 p.m. and 6 to 6:45 p.m.; July 31 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. and 6 to 6:45 p.m.; Aug. 1 from 5 to 5:45 p.m.; Aug. 5 from 5 to 5:45 p.m., 6 to 6:45 p.m. and 7 to 7:45 p.m.; Aug. 7 from 3 to 3:45 p.m. and Aug. 8 from 7 to 7:45 p.m.
A waiting list is available. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Moorestown Library.
“This is our third escape room, and we are so happy folks of all ages are enjoying it,” Hoffman said. “It is fun to see the groups work together to complete the challenges in ways we would never expect, but it is the most fun to see the groups first enter the transformed library space.
“There is charged excitement in the air, and then when the timer starts ticking, it’s game on.”
