HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Parks and Recreation Department is holding its summer registrations for youth programs.
Signups for Houlton residents only will take place on Monday, May 1, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Gentle Memorial Building. This night will be for Houlton residents that physically reside in Houlton. Open registrations for Houlton residents as well as non-Houlton residents begins on Tuesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Gentle Memorial Building.
All registrations will only be accepted until June 1, however, several programs have limited registrations, so you may want to register early during registration week. Registrations between May 4 th through June 1 st can be made at the Gentle Memorial Building main office, no telephone registrations will be accepted.
“The summer brochure has been distributed through the local school systems or brochures may be picked up at the Recreation Department,” explained Marie Carmichael, recreation director. “The Houlton Parks and Recreation Department tries to keep their programs at an affordable level for all residents. If you have an unusual financial situation that may limit participation due to the fee, please contact the department prior to the day you register to make payment arrangements. For more information call the Departments at 532-1310.”
Discount summer tickets are once again on sale. Those planning a vacation to Funtown/Splashtown in Saco can stop by the Houlton Rec Center and buy tickets. Beginning May 22 through Aug. 28 you can purchase your ticket for $30 for combo pass and $24 for Splashtown only tickets. As well as York’s Wild Kingdom Park for $15 per person. Save some money!
The following is a listing of programs being offered this summer.
“Just for Kids” playground program is open to youth ages 5-13 years of age. Youth must be 5 years of age by June 21, and must have completed kindergarten for 2016-2017 to stay all day. 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 21 to August 3 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 as follows: one child $175 for Houlton resident, $280 for non-residents; two children $235 for resident, $365 for non-resident; each additional child is $65 for resident and $145 for non-resident.
This program is held at Community Park on good days and at the Houlton Recreation Center on rainy days. The SAD 29 food service will provide free lunch to all participants from June 21 through July 31.
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,” Carmichael said. “A tentative schedule and listing of rules will be given out at the time of registration.”
“Just for Me” — this playground program is open to youth ages 4-5. Youth must be 4 years of age by June 21, and must have completed Pre -Kindergarten for the 2016-2017 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 $ 90 for Houlton residents and $135 for non-residents. This program will run from June 21 through Aug. 3.
Red Cross Swim — Lessons will be held for five weeks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting on Tuesday, July 11. 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 11 to participate. This program is for Houlton residents only. The cost for this program is $60 per participant. More details will be given at registration.
Tennis Lessons — Tennis lessons will be held again this summer on start on Thursday, June 22. Classes will be held at the beginners and intermediates levels. Youth must be 7 years of age by June 22 and older to participate.
Lessons will be held on 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. The cost is $35 for Houlton residents and $50 for non-Houlton residents. Owen Gallop will be this summer’s instructor.
Youth Basketball Camp — The camp will be held Monday, July 10 through Thursday, July 13 at the Gentle Memorial Building. Youth entering grades K-2 will go from 8:30-11 a.m., while youth entering grades 3-8 will go from noon to 3 p.m. This camp is setup to focus on the basic fundamentals of basketball through the use of drills, fun games and competition. Instructors will be Tim and Erica Tweedie. The Cost is $50 for Houlton residents and $75 for non-Houlton residents.
T-Ball and First Pitch — T-ball is for those ages 5-6 (must be five years by June 30). This program will introduce baseball with the use of a batting tee. First Pitch is for those ages 7-8 (must be 7 years of age by June 30). This program is designed to teach fundamentals of baseball and introduce batters to a pitch. Both programs will begin the week of July 10 and run for four weeks. Practices and games will be held Monday-Thursday evenings at the baseball fields in Community Park. The cost is $30 for Houlton residents & $45 for non-Houlton residents.
Dutch Soccer Camp — The Dutch Soccer Camp will return once again this summer for Houlton area youth. The camp, which is run by Rob Krul, will be held the week of June 26-July 30 at the Houlton High soccer fields. Youth going into grades K-3 will go from 9-11 a.m. Monday-Friday, while youth going into grades 4-8 will meet from 11:15-1:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Within each camp session, youth will be divided into age appropriate groups for camp activities. The cost for this camp is $75 per participant with a $5 discount for each additional sibling attending camp.
MRPA Track and Field — This program is open to girls and boys between the ages of 7-15. Age groups will be determined by the Dec. 31, 2017 date. The first practice will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 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 rain, meet at the Houlton Rec Center. Cost for this program is $30 Houlton residents and $45 for non-Houlton residents. This program 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.
Sneakin’ In Science Camp — This camp will be held on August 7-10 at the Rec Center with Sara McQuarrie as the instructor. Two sessions will be offered, one will be held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and the other 3:30-5:30 p.m. Children between 7-12 years are invited to this fun program. Cost is $50 for Houlton residents and $65 for non-Houlton residents. Each session is limited to 15 children. Sneakin’In Science Camp will include four action packed days of Science! Students will take home anything they make to show family members and friends.
Mini Science Camp — This will be held Aug. 8-10, from 11 a.m.-noon. Children 5 and 6 yrs are invited to attend this camp; there will be a limit of 12 children This will be held at the Houlton Recreation Center with instructor Sara McQuarrie. The cost will be $20 for Houlton residents and $30 for non-Houlton residents. Kids will get excited about science with these fun hands-on classes!
Little Musterds Running Camp — The Little Musterds Running Camp will be offered again this summer. This 3-week camp will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-5:15 p.m. for youth in Grades 4-8 The program will begin on Monday, June 12, at the Houlton Recreation Center. Cost for the camp is $30 Houlton residents/$45 non-Houlton residents This 3-week program will introduce youth to running and work towards participating in the July1st, Miracle Mile Run. Youth will need running sneakers, comfortable clothes and a water bottle.
Houlton Ultimate Frisbee Summer League — This league is open to high school youth and adults. The season starts the week of June 19 at the Houlton Band of Maliseet practice football field. This 7-week program finishes with a league championship game at the Houlton Community Park. For more information or to register, check them out on facebook, email coordinator Chris Rines at Christopher.rines@countypt.com or call him at 227-2813.
Fall Soccer Program registrations will also be taken until June 1 at the Houlton Recreation Center. Soccer Divisions are as follows: Coed grades PreK and K; grades 1-2; grades 3-4; Girls only grades 4-6; Boys only 4-6. Practices will be held on Aug. 29 for Grades K, 1 and 2 and Aug. 30 for grades 3, 4, 5 and 6. Cost is $30 Houlton residents and $40 for non-Houlton residents. More information will be given at the time of registrations. This is a limited type program.
Travel Co-ed Soccer will take place from September to October. Youth in Grades 4-6 are invited to sign up. However, youth must be in the Recreation Fall Soccer program to play on this co-ed team. Also, the team is limited to the first 10 girls and first 10 boys to register. Practices will be held in the evenings and games will be held on the weekends. Coaches will call youth for their first practice. Cost is $25 for Houlton residents and $38 for non-Houlton residents and parents will be responsible for transportation to the games.
Summer Musical Theater Camp — Those who love to sing and act are invited to join the Summer Musical Theater Camp being held the week of Aug. 14-17 from 9-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 “It’s a jungle out there”. Space is limited to 20 children. Cost is $50 for Houlton residents and $65 for non-Houlton residents. A performance will be given on the final morning. Come be part of this fun musical production and let your musical talents shine.
Group Keyboard and Guitar Camps — Again, this summer is group Keyboard and Guitar Camps for Grades 2-6. If you have always wanted to learn to play the keyboard or guitar this is your chance to do so. If you have a keyboard or guitar bring it along, if not some will be provided. Both Camps will be held from Monday, Aug. 14-17. 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.
The cost for each camp is $25 for Houlton residents and $38 for non-Houlton residents. Each class must have a minimum of 5 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.
Youth Soccer Clinic — This fun week of soccer will be held on Aug. 7-10 at Community Park. The two sessions are for Grades K-2 from 8:30-10 a.m. and grades 3-6 from 10:15-11:45 a.m. Tim Tweedie will be the instructor for this clinic. The cost is $30 for Houlton residents and $40 for non-Houlton residents. Youth are asked to wear comfortable clothes, shin guards, bring a water bottle and soccer ball if you have one. Plastic cleats and mouth guards are optional. This clinic will include soccer skill drills, mini games and contests.
Youth Lacrosse Clinic — This will be held on Monday, July 31, Tuesday, Aug. 1 , Thursday, Aug. 3, and Friday, Aug. 4 at the outfield of the Bob Ruth Baseball Field in Houlton Community Park. The age group is for 7 – 9 years of age. The boy’s clinic will be from 9-10:30 a.m. and the girl’s clinic will be from 10:30-noon. The cost is $25 for Houlton residents and $38 for non-Houlton residents. Instructor is Ken Ervin. Youth must wear comfortable clothes, bring a water bottle and plastic cleats are optional.
