HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Parks and Recreation Department will hold its Summer Registrations for youth programs.
Houlton residents can sign up on Tuesday, May 1, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Gentle Memorial Building. This night will be for residents that physically reside in Houlton.
Open registrations for Houlton residents as well as non-Houlton residents will begin on Wednesday, May 2, and Thursday, May 3 from 8:30-5:30 p.m. at the Gentle Memorial Building.
All registrations will be accepted until June 1. However, several programs have limited registrations. No telephone registrations will be accepted.
The Summer brochure has been distributed through the local school’s systems or brochures 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. Those who have an unusual financial situation that may limit participation due to the fee, should call the Rec office at 532-1310.
Programs being offered this summer are as follows:
“Just for Kids” playground program is open to youth ages 5-13 years of age. Youth must be 5 years of age by June 20 and must have completed Kindergarten for 2017-2018 to stay all day. The full day program runs form 9-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Fridays 9-11 a.m.
Just for Kids program 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/$145 for non-resident.
This program is held at Community Park on good days and at the Houlton Recreation Center on rainy days. Anticipated starting date is June 20 through Aug. 2. The RSU 29 food service will provide free lunch to all participants. More details on this program will be included in a parent’s handbook that will be given out at 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 this playground program open to youth of 4 and 5 years of age. Youth must be 4 years of age by June 20 and must have completed Pre-Kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year to stay from 9-11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Anticipated starting date is June 20 through Aug. 2. A parent’s handbook will be given out at registrations. Cost for this program is $90 for Houlton residents and $135 for non-residents. More details of this program will be included in a parent’s handout that will be given out at registration.
Red Cross Swim Lessons: will be held for 5 weeks on Tuesday and Wednesdays starting on Tuesday, July 10 and 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 10 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 Thursday, June 21, 2018. Classes will be held at the beginners and intermediates levels. Youth must be 7 years of age by June 21, and older to participate. Lessons will be held on Tuesday and Thursday for 6 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. The cost is $35 for Houlton residents and $50 for non-Houlton residents. Owen Gallop will be this summer’s instructor.
Youth Basketball Camp: will be held Monday, July 9 through Thursday, July 12, 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 noon-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 Erica Tweedie and Marina Cameron. The cost is $50 for Houlton residents and $75 for non-Houlton residents.
T-Ball and First Pitch: T-ball is for 5-6 year olds (must be five years by June 30, 2018). 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 June 30, 2018). This program is designed to teach fundamentals of baseball and introduce batters to a pitch. Both programs will begin the week of July 9, 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 and $45 for non-Houlton residents.
Dutch Soccer Camp will return to Houlton this summer. The camp, which is run by Rob Krul, will be held the week of June 25-29 at the Houlton High soccer fields. Youth going into grades K-3 will go from 9-11 a.m. Monday-Friday and youth going into grades 4-8 go from 11:15-1:15 p.m. Monday-Friday. 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 is open to girls and boys between the ages of 7-15. Age groups will be determined by the Dec. 31, 2018 date. The first practice will be held on Tuesday, May 15th 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. The 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 will be held Aug. 6-9 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. The cost is $55 for Houlton residents and $70 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 will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 7 to Thursday, Aug. 9 from 11 a.m.-noon. Children 5-6 years 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 $25 for Houlton residents and $30 for non-Houlton residents. Kids will get excited about science with these fun hands-on classes.
Discount summer tickets on sale. If you are planning a vacation for your family this summer and you plan to go to Funtown/Splashtown in Saco Maine, stop by the Houlton Rec Center and buy your tickets. Beginning May 20 through Aug. 29 you can purchase your ticket for $30 for a combo pass and $24 for Splashtown only tickets. As well as York’s Wild Kingdom Park for $16 per person.
Little Musterds Running Camp will be offered.This three-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 11 at the Houlton Recreation Center. The cost for the camp is $30 Houlton residents/$45 non-Houlton residents This three-week program will introduce youth to running and work towards participating in the June 29, Miracle Mile Run. Youth will need running sneakers, comfortable clothes and a water bottle.
Fall Soccer Program registrations will be taken until June 1. Soccer divisions are as follows: Coed Grades K-1; Grades 2-3; Girls only Grades 4-6; Boys only 4-6. Practices will be held on Aug. 28 for Grades K, 1, and 2 and August 29 for Grades 3 and Grades 4-6. The cost is $30 for 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. Youth must be registered for 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 for those who love to sing and act will be held the week of Aug. 13-16 from 9 a.m.-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 “Once Upon a Lily Pad.” Space is limited to 20 children. The 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 Ukulele and Guitar Camps will be offered for Grades 2-6. If you have always wanted to learn to play the ukulele or guitar this is your chance to do so. Youth must bring their own ukulele or guitar to camp. Both camps will be held from Monday, Aug. 13 to Thursday, Aug. 16. Ukulele 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 & friends.
Youth Soccer Clinic is a fun week of soccer held Monday, Aug. 6 through Thursday, Aug. 9 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. 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 & 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 16-19 at the outfield of the Bob Ruth Baseball Field in Houlton Community Park. Youth going into grades 3-6 are invited to register. The girls clinic will be from 8:30-10 a.m. and the boy’s clinic will be from 10-11:30 a.m. Cost is $25 for Houlton residents and $35 for non-Houlton residents. Instructor is Ken Ervin. Youth must wear comfortable clothes, bring a water bottle and plastic cleats are optional.
Summer Outdoor Adventures: This year, join the Rec Dept. for some different outdoor adventures, including hiking, biking, and stewardship projects. This three week programs is open to ages 11-13 years. Youth will meet twice a week — once for educational and preparation and the other for excursions. Start date is July 10 and youth will meet at the Millar Civic Center. Cost for the programs is $30 for Houlton residents and $45 for non-Houlton residents. This program is limited to six youth. More details will be given out at the time of registration.
Cary Library Summer Reading Program: This summer’s theme is “Libraries Rock.” This free program is open to all children no matter their age. Be sure to register at the Cary Library between June 25 to July 7. The program runs from July 9 to Aug. 11. To register, either stop in, call 532-1302 or go to cary.lib.me.us.
Lego Club: The Cary Library will be sponsoring their “Lego Club” from 10-11 a.m. on May 19, June 9, and July 21 at the library. This free program is open to children who are seven years older and each session is limited to 15 youth. A theme will be selected each week and the Lego group members will be challenged to build something related to the theme. Registration required. To register, either stop in, call 532-1302 or go to cary.lib.me.us.
Manes & Tails Equestrian Camp — Houlton area children will have the opportunity to sign up for one or more weeks of “Manes & Tails Equestrian” Camps this summer. Each participant will be introduced to horsemanship, basic care of equines, interactive vaulting and riding. Youth must be eight years of age or older to participate. Cost of the camp is $125 per participant and camps run from 8-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Camps dates are June 18-22, July 9-13, July 23-27, July 30-Aug. 3, Aug. 13-17, Aug. 20-24, and Aug. 27-31. More information will be given out at the time of registration.
Summer Lego Camp: New this summer, the Houlton Rec Dept. and the Cary Library will be teaming up to sponsor “Lego Camp”. Youth 7 years and older are invited to attend this free activity. Registration is required as there are two sessions to choose from; 9:30-11 a.m. or 1:30-3 p.m. Each session is limited to 25 children. The dates for this camp are Aug. 21-23 at the Houlton Rec Center. All you need to bring is your imagination.
