The Houlton Parks and Recreation will be holding its summer registrations for youth programs on the following days — Houlton residents only — will be Tuesday, May 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. This night will be for persons who physically reside in Houlton.
Open registrations for Houlton residents as well as non-Houlton residents will begin on Wednesday, May 6 through Thursday, May 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All registrations will be accepted until June 1. However, several programs have limited registrations, so you 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 staff tries to keep their programs at an affordable level for all residents. If anyone has an unusual financial situation that may limit participation due to the fee, please contact the department prior to registration to make payment arrangements. New this year during the first three days of registration, the department will be accepting credit/debit card payments if desired. Please have your card and photo ID available. For any questions call 532-1310.
Programs being offered this summer include:
“Just for Kids” playground program is open to youth ages 5-13. Youth must be 5 years of age by June 22 and must have completed kindergarten for 2014-15 to stay all day. The full-day program runs form 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Fridays 9-11 a.m. This program will run June 22- Aug. 6 and a parent’s handbook will be given out at registration.
“Just for Kids” is limited to the first 150 children to register. Cost for the program is one child $150 for Houlton resident, $225 for non-residents; two children, $200 for resident, $295 for non-resident; and each additional child is $50 for resident and $100 for non-resident.
This program is held at Community Park on good days and at the Houlton Recreation Center on rainy days. The RSU 29 food service will provide free lunch to all participants from June 22-July 30. 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.
“Just for Me” is a playground program open to youth 4 and 5 years of age. Youth must be 4 by June 22 and must have completed pre-K for the 2014-15 to stay from 9-11 a.m. Monday through Friday. A parent’s handbook will be given out at registrations. Cost for this program is $75 for Houlton residents and $115 for non-residents. This program will run from June 22 through Aug. 6.
Red Cross Swim lessons will be held for six weeks each Tuesday and Wednesday, starting on Tuesday, July 7. Times will be given out at registration. Lessons this summer will be held at the Shiretown Motor Inn pool. Youth must be age 6 by July 7 to participate. This program is for Houlton residents only. Cost for this program is $60 per participant. More details will be given at registration.
Tennis lessons will be held again this summer on start on Tuesday, June 23. Classes will be held at the beginner and intermediate levels. Youth must be age 7 by June 23 and older to participate. Lessons will be held each Tuesday and Thursday for six weeks at the Community Park tennis courts. Times will be announced at registration. Class size 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-Houlton residents. Josh Sullivan will be this summer’s instructor.
Youth Basketball Camp will be held Monday, June 2 through Thursday, June 25 at the Gentle Memorial Building. Youth entering grades K-2 will go from 8:30-11 a.m. and youth entering grades 3-8 will go 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-Houlton residents.
T-Ball & First Pitch: T-ball is for 5 & 6 year olds (must be 5 years by April 30). This program will introduce baseball with the use of a batting T. 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 pitch. Both programs will begin the week of July 6 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-Houlton residents.
Dutch Soccer Camp will return once again this summer to Houlton area youth. The camp, which is run by Rob Krul, will be held the week of June 29 – July 2 at the Houlton High soccer fields. Youth going into grades K-3 will go from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday and youth going into grades 4-8 will go from 12:30-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Within each camp session, youth will be divided into age appropriate groups for camp activities. Cost for this camp is $75 per participant with a $5 discount for each additional sibling attending camp.
Future Star Track & Field: This is open to girls and boys between the ages of 7-15 years. Age groups will be determined as of Dec. 31. The first practice will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 3:15 p.m. for ages 7-10 and 4:15 p.m. for ages 11-15. Practices will be held outside the Millar Civic Center. If it rains, the groups will meet at the Houlton Rec Center. Cost for this program is $20 Houlton residents and $30 for non-Houlton residents.
This program was formerly the Hershey Track & Field and it will introduce 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.
Little Musterds Running Camp: Again this summer is the Little Musterds Running Camp with instructor Chris Rines. This three-week camp will be held each Monday and Wednesday from 4:30-5:15 p.m. for grades 5-8 and from 5:15-5:45 p.m. for grades 3-4. Both programs will begin on Monday, June 15 at the Houlton Recreation Center. Cost for grades 5-8 camp is $25 Houlton residents and $38 for non-Houlton residents and for grades 3-4 it is $15 Houlton residents and $22 non-Houlton residents. This three-week program will introduce youth to running and work towards participating in the July 3, Miracle Mile Run. Youth will need running sneakers, comfortable clothes and a water bottle.
Ultimate Frisbee for Youth: New this summer is the Ultimate Frisbee for Youth program for youth entering grades 6-8 this fall. Join instructor Chris Rines at the Houlton High School soccer field on June 14, 21 and 28 from 2-3:30 p.m. Learn to play this high energy game with your friends. Cost is $15 for Houlton residents and $22 for non-Houlton residents. Youth must wear sneakers, comfortable clothes amd bring a water bottle. Registration is required.
Summer Musical Theater Camp: For those who love to sing and act, join the Summer Musical Theater Camp being held the week of Aug. 17-20 from 9 a.m. to noon each day at the Rec Center. Youth in grades 2-6 are invited to register for this fun program. Instructor Valerie Schultz will direct the children in production of “Star Search.” Space is limited to 20 children. Cost is $45 for Houlton residents and $55 for non-Houlton residents. A performance will be given on the final morning.
Group Keyboard & Guitar Camps: New this summer is group Keyboard and Guitar Camps for grades 2-6. If you have a keyboard or guitar bring it along, if not some will be provided. Both camps will be held from Monday, Aug. 17 to Thursday, Aug. 20. Keyboard Camp will be held from 1-2 p.m. each day and Guitar Camp will be held from 2-3 p.m. each day. Cost for each camp is $20 for Houlton residents and $25 for non-Houlton residents. Each class must have a minimum of five youth to conduct the camp. Valerie Schultz will be the instructor and registration is required. A recital will be held on the final day of camp for family and friends.
Running 101 for Adults will be held this summer starting from the Houlton Recreation Center on Tuesday, June 16 at 4:30 p.m. for individuals 18 years and older. Chris Rines will be the instructor for this eight-week program. The goal is to teach adults the safe and proper way of running. The program will consist of warm ups, a group run and cool downs. Cost for the program is $20 for Houlton residents and $30 for non-Houlton residents. Registrations are required. Participants must wear running shoes, comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle.
