Summer Rec programs

The Houlton Parks and Recreation Department will be holding its summer registration for youth programs on Tuesday, May 3 from 5:30-7 p.m. for Houlton residents who physically reside in town only, with open registrations for Houlton and non-Houlton residents on Wednesday, May 4 and Thursday, May 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    All registrations will be accepted until June 1. However, several programs have limited enrollment, so persons may want to register early during registration week. All registrations will be held at the Gentle Memorial Building; no telephone registrations will be accepted.
The Summer Flyer has been distributed through the local schools systems or copies may be picked up at the recreation department.  The Houlton Parks and Recreation Department tries to keep their programs at an affordable level for all residents. Persons who have an unusual financial situation that may limit participation due to the fee, should contact the department at 532-1310 prior to the day they register to make payment arrangements.
Programs being offered this summer include:
“Just for Kids” Playground — The program is open to youth ages 5-13 years of age. Youth must be 5 years of age by June 21 and must have attended kindergarten for 2011-12 to stay all day. Those youth who are 5 years old, but did not attend Kindergarten are allowed to stay for the morning session 9-11 a.m.      The full-day program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Fridays 9-11 a.m. This program will run June 20-Aug. 4. A schedule will be given out at registrations with dates the program will not be open.
“Just for Kids” program is limited to the first 150 children to register. Cost for the program is as follows:
one child, $150 for Houlton residents and $225 for non-residents; two children, $200 for Houlton resident and $295 for non-residents. Each additional child is $50 for Houlton resident and $75 for non-residents. Five-year-olds only attending the half-day program will be assessed $75 for Houlton resident and $100 for non-resident.
This program is held at Community Park on good days and inside the Houlton Recreation Center on rainy days. SAD 29 food service will provide free lunch to all participants from June 20-July 28. More information will be given out at the time of registration.
The “Just for Kids” program has been developed to keep the children happy, busy and safe throughout the summer. A tentative schedule and listing of rules will be given out at the time of registration.
Red Cross Swim Lessons — Lessons will be held for six weeks each Monday and Wednesday starting on Wednesday, July 6. Times will be given out at the time of registration. Lessons this summer will be held at the Shiretown Motor Inn pool. Youth must be 6 years of age by July 1 to participate. This program is for Houlton residents only. Cost for this program is $50 per participant. More details will be given at registration.
Tennis Lessons — Lessons will be held again this summer starting the week of June 20.  Classes will be held at the beginner and intermediate levels. Youth must be 7 years of age by June 20 and older to participate.
Lessons will be held each Monday and Wednesday for six weeks at the Community Park tennis courts.  Times will be announced at registration. Class is limited to 12 students. Rackets may be provided if needed this year by the parks and recreation department. Cost is $30 for Houlton residents and $45 for non- residents.
Junior Girls Softball — This program is for girls between the ages of 9-12. Age deadline for this division is April 30. Practices will be held each Tuesday and Thursday at the Community Park fields.  Starting date is Tuesday, June 21. More information will be given at the first practice. Girls must have their own glove. Cost for this program is $30 for the Houlton residents and $45 for non-residents.
Youth Basketball Camp — The camp will be held Monday, June 20-23 at the Gentle Memorial Building. Youth entering grades K-3 will go from 8:30-11 a.m., followed by youth entering grades 4-9 from 12-3 p.m.
This camp is set up to focus on the basic fundamentals of basketball through the use of drills, fun games and competition.  Instructors will be Bruce Nason and Erica Tweedie. Cost is $45 for Houlton residents and $65 for non-residents.
T-Ball and First Pitch — T-ball is for 5-6-year-olds (must be 5 by April 30). This program will introduce baseball with the use of a batting tee.
First Pitch is for 7-8-year-olds (must be 7 years by April 30). This program is designed to teach fundamentals of baseball and introduce batters to a “live” pitch.
Both programs will begin the week of July 11 and run for four weeks. Practices and games will be held Monday – Thursday evenings at the baseball fields in Community Park. Cost is $25 for Houlton residents and $38 for non-residents.
Dutch Soccer Camp — The camp, which is run by Rob Krul, will be held the week of June 27-30 at the Houlton High School soccer fields.
Youth going into grades K-4 will go from 9-11 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday.
Youth going into grades 5-8 will go from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 1-4 p.m. on Thursday.
Within each camp session, youth will be divided into age appropriate groups for camp activities. Cost for this camp is $70 per participant with a $5 discount for each additional sibling attending camp.
Hershey Track & Field — This program is open to girls and boys between the ages of 9-14. Age groups will be determined by Dec. 31. The first practice will be held on Tuesday, May 17 at 3:15 p.m. for ages 9-10 and 4:15 p.m. for ages 11-14.
Practices will be held outside the Millar Civic Center. If it rains, participants will meet at the Houlton Rec Center. Cost for this program is $20 Houlton residents and $30 for non-residents.
This program introduces youth to the basic fundamentals of track and field events. Youth must attend weekly practices to be eligible to attend the District Track meet in Caribou. More information will be given out at the time of registration.
Sneakin’ In Science Mini Program — This program will be held Aug. 8-10 at the Houlton Rec Center with Sara McQuarrie as the instructor. It will be held from 9-10 a.m. each morning. Children between the ages of 7-12 years are invited to this fun program. Cost is $30 per child.
The program will include: Adaptation — Learn how animals adapt to different environments by looking for organisms in pond water, soil and rotting logs. Students keep what they find … very exciting! Heat —How does a thermometer work? Find out by making your own. You get to take it home. Will you win the ice cube survival challenge? Space Tour — We’ll do experiments and activities to learn all about the planets and other objects in the sky. Make your own alien and take it home to show family and friends!     This class is limited to 15 children, with 100 percent fun and we might even “sneak” a little learning in along the way!
Soccer Skills Clinic — New this summer, Houlton High School varsity girls soccer coach Tim Tweedie and his players will be conducting a soccer skills clinic. It will be held on Aug. 8-11 at the Houlton High School soccer fields. Grades K-3 will go from 8:30-10 a.m. and grades 4-6 will go from 10:15-11:45 a.m. Cost will be $20 for Houlton residents and $30 for non-residents.
The clinic will include soccer skill drills, mini games and contests. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, bring a water bottle and soccer ball.
Discount Summer Tickets — If you are planning a vacation for your family this summer and you want to go to Funtown/ Splashtown in Saco stop by the Houlton Rec Center and buy your tickets. Beginning May 3 through Aug. 26 you can purchase your ticket for $26 (usually $35 at the gate).
Pitch-Hit-Run Competition — Again this year is the skills competition of Pitch-Hit-Run for youth between the ages of 7-14. This will be held on Sunday, May 1 at Community Park fields. Free to all youngsters who participate. The pitch skill will test a youngster’s throwing skills; hit skill will be measured for accuracy and distance and the run skill will be a timed event where the child will run from second base to home.
Age divisions will be boys baseball and girls softball: 7-8; 9-10; 11-12 and 13-14. Age division is determined by the participant’s age as of July 17.  Start time 1 p.m. for all age groups.
Winners will qualify for the sectional competition set for Mars Hill on May 22. Registration is required, please contact the Houlton Rec Department at 532-1310 by April 25. Parents will need to bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate on the day of the competition.