SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – The Salina library hosted its penultimate event of the summer for Syracuse teenagers Tuesday afternoon called “Escape the Arcade.”
“Escape the Arcade” is an escape room designed for students entering grades six through 12 where they must solve puzzles, find clues and crack codes in order to successfully make it out of the arcade.
The theme of the event was a 1980’s arcade sending teens 50 years into the past as they get an experience of the first arcades to exist while also having to think strategically. It all came together when games at Target worked well with library facilities, one of them being an arcade.
“And so, I looked it over, realized I could use the puzzles in it really well to go with the equipment we have,” said Youth Services Librarian Monica Norton. “So, I went with ‘Escape the Arcade.’”
Teens had the opportunity to work together either as one large group or in several small groups, but teamwork was essential to complete the tasks. Some puzzles were color coded or numbered, and the teens needed to match the colors or numbers with specific games in the arcade.
Participants will need to “break in” to a box at the very end that represents the time-traveling device, and those who are the first to complete received slips to pick a prize from the summer reading prize box.
While the event was mainly for fun, events such as an escape room at the local library can bring the local community together to create new friendships or reunite existing friendships.
“The kids end up working together, they kind of get to know their own strengths and each other’s,” said Norton. “I’ve seen friendships formed at a lot of our events, or the other fun thing is kids who know each other at school but may not necessarily see each other when school ends. They get really excited when they see each other.”
The final event of the summer will be next Tuesday at 2:30 P.M. at the library. This event, “Nailed It! Summer Edition,” will really put skills to the test for teens as they aim to complete big projects. Visit salinalibrary.org and click on the “Events” tab for more information or to register your kid(s).
