Get ready to turn your reading minutes into miles! The Read Across PGCPS summer reading challenge invites elementary, middle, and high school scholars to embark on a 73-mile virtual road trip across Prince George’s County.
For every 5 minutes you read (whether it’s a storybook, eBook, or audiobook), you earn 1 mile of travel on the game board. As you log your time, you will "visit" 11 historic and educational landmarks—from the prehistoric fossils at Dinosaur Park to the high walls of Fort Washington Park—unlocking fun facts and exclusive content along the way. Keep reading to complete the journey virtually or visit each site in person as you meet your "travel" reading goals!
Step 1: Watch the Virtual Adventure Tutorial
Before you begin, hover your cursor over the top-right corner of the video below and click the pop-out icon to watch a quick tutorial on how your reading minutes turn into a virtual road trip!
Introduction to Read Across PGCPS! Virtual Adventure Tutorial.mp4Step 2: Download & Print Your Road Map (Daily Log)
The Read Across PGCPS Adventure Road Map is where you track your daily progress. You will need this physical paper to calculate your miles before you submit your final report.
How to Download: Click the Read Across PGCPS Road Map below. Once the document opens, look for the printer icon or the down-arrow icon in the top right corner of your screen to save it to your computer or print it out.
How to Use: Write down the book title and how many minutes you read.
The Magic Math: For every 5 minutes you read, you earn 1 mile! (e.g., 30 minutes = 6 miles).
Keep this paper in a safe place all summer!
If you get stuck on the math for your Adventure Road Map, use this guide:
Total Journey = 73.1 Miles (approx. 6 hours of reading!)
Read Across PGCPS Road Map Reading Log.pdf Step 3: Explore the Journey via Google Earth
Want to see the landmarks in 3D? Use our Google Earth companion tool to virtually "walk" through the sites you unlock.
What to expect: You’ll see a 3D map of Prince George's County with pins at 11 historic locations like Dinosaur Park and the Bowie Railroad Museum. You can click each pin to see real-world photos and fun facts.
Watch the brief tutorial below on how to navigate the Read Across PGCPS Google Earth experience.
Read Across PGCPS! Virtual Adventure Tutorial.mp4 Start the Google Earth Adventure by clicking the image below!
Step 4: Submit Your Final Progress Report
Important: At the end of the summer, you must "digitize" your paper log. To do so, you will fill out the Google Form and attach a photo or scan of your paper Road Map to receive school credit and help your school win the Championship Award.
Deadline: Submit by Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
What you'll need: Your completed paper Read Across PGCPS Adventure Road Map and your total calculated miles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I have to visit the landmarks in person?
No! The journey is virtual. However, we encourage families to visit these historic sites in person if they want to see the landmarks they "unlocked" through reading.
What if I lose my paper Road Map?
Don't worry! You can print a new one at any time. Just try to remember the books you already read so you don't lose your mileage.
How do I "attach" the PDF/Paper log to the form?
When you open the Reading Log Form, there is a section labeled "Upload Document." You can take a clear photo of your paper log with a phone or tablet and upload that image directly.
Does listening to an audiobook count?
Yes! Storybooks, eBooks, and audiobooks all count toward your mileage. Click on each location name in the Read Across PGCPS Adventure Road Map to access a digital pathfinder to incredible books and activities related to each site.
What should the daily routine for participating scholars look like?
1. Read: Grab a book, eBook, or audiobook. The PGCPS Virtual Library has many options. Hard copies of books can be borrowed from your local public library branch.
2. Log: Immediately record the title and minutes on your printed Adventure Road Map located in Step 2.
3. Calculate: Divide your minutes by 5 to get your miles.
4. Visit: If you hit a milestone, go to Step 3 on this website to explore that location on the map.
