HOULTON, Maine — Although programs may look a little different this summer, the Houlton Parks and Recreation Department is offering a variety of summer activities for youth in the Houlton area.
The recreation department will hold its Summer Registrations at the John A. Millar Civic Center to accommodate the state’s distancing requirements. Only one family member will be allowed at the time of registrations and a face covering must be worn.
The registration dates are as follows: Houlton residents can sign up Tuesday, May 11, from 5:30-7 p.m. and Wednesday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open registrations for those who live outside of Houlton, as well as any remaining Houlton residents who were unable to attend one of the other sessions, will begin on Wednesday, May 12, from 5:30-7 p.m. and Thursday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All registrations after these dates will be accepted at the Gentle Memorial Building and will be accepted until June 1, 2021. Many of the programs have limited enrollment. Payment for each program is due at the time of registration. No telephone registrations will be accepted.
The Summer Brochure has been distributed through the local school systems and may also be picked up at the Recreation Department or can be downloaded at the town website www.houlton-maine.com. For more information, call the Rec at 207-532-1310. Programs being offered this summer are as follows:
“Just for Kids” playground program is open to youth ages 5-13. Youth must be 5 years of age by June 16, 2021 and must have completed Kindergarten for 2020-2021. The full-day program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and Fridays from 9-11 a.m. This program will run June 16 to Aug. 5 and a parent’s handbook will be given out at registration explaining the program and COVID-19 guidelines that will be in place during the program.
The Just for Kids program is limited to the first 150 children to register. The cost for the program is as follows: one child, $225 for Houlton resident and $340 for non-residents; two children, $340 for resident and $505 for non-resident; each additional child is $100 for resident and $200 for non-resident.
This program is held at Community Park on good days and at the Houlton Recreation Center/Millar Civic Center on rainy days. The RSU 29 food service will provide free lunch to all participants. 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. Masks will be required for all participants and staff.
The “Just for Me” program is a playground program that is open to youth ages 4-5. Youth must be 4 years of age by Aug. 9, 2021 and must have completed Pre-Kindergarten for the 2020-2021. This program will run Aug. 9-12, from 9-11 a.m. and is limited to 12 children. A parent’s handbook will be given out at registrations. The cost is $60 for Houlton residents and $90 for non-residents. This program will follow all CDC guidelines that are required in August including masks and distancing.
Pine Tree State Track and Field is open to girls and boys between the ages of 7-14. Age groups will be determined by the Dec. 31, 2021 date. 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 Regional Track meet in Presque Isle in June. Practices will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. for ages 7-8 and 4:15-5:15 p.m. for ages 9-10; Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:15-4:15 p.m. for ages 11-12 and 4:15-5:15 p.m. for ages 13-14. Practices will be held outside the Millar Civic Center. The starting date is May 17. No cleats are allowed for this program, wear sneakers, masks and bring a water bottle. The cost for this program is $40 Houlton residents and $60 for non-Houlton residents.
T-ball is for 5-6 year olds (must be 5 by June 30, 2021). 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, 2021). This program is designed to teach fundamentals of baseball and introduce batters to a pitch. Both programs will begin the week of July 5, and run for four weeks. Practices and games will be held Monday-Thursday evenings at the baseball fields in Community Park. The cost is $40 for Houlton residents and $60 for non-Houlton residents. Masks are required.
“Science Fun for Little Ones” will be held on July 26 from 9-11 a.m. at the Rec Center. Children entering Grades K-1 in the fall of 2021 are invited to participate in this activity. There is a limit of 12 children. Melissa Goodwin will be the instructor. This morning will be filled with fun science experiments with hands on projects. The cost is $25 for Houlton residents and $38 for non-Houlton residents. Be sure to wear play clothes as some experiments may be messy. Masks are required.
“Science Fun for Everyone” will be held on July 27 through July 29 and parents must select one of the following sessions: 9-10:30 a.m. or 11:30-1 p.m. Children entering Grades 2-6 in the fall of 2021 are encouraged to sign up for this camp. There is a limit of 12 youth per time slot. Melissa Goodwin will be the instructor. Come explore the world of science through hands-on STEM activities and projects. The cost is $60 for Houlton residents and $90 for non-Houlton residents. Play clothes are a must as some projects and experiments may be messy. Masks are required.
Youth Floor Hockey Camp will be held from Aug. 2-5 at the John A. Millar Civic Center. Age groups and times are as follows: ages 7-10, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; and ages 11-14, 6-7 p.m. Participants are required to wear sneakers, if players own a helmet with a cage and hockey gloves, they can bring their own. If not, the program will provide them. Shin pads, elbow pads, and sticks will be provided for the camp. There is a limit of 20 youths per time slot. The cost is $40 for Houlton residents and $60 for non-Houlton residents. Maddie Grant and Rec Staff will be the instructors for this camp. Participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and wear a mask.
Tennis Camp will be held Aug. 2-5 at the Houlton Community Park Tennis Courts. Maddie Grant will be the instructor. Ages and times are as follows: ages 7-8, 8:30-9:15 a.m.; ages 9-10, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; ages 11-12, 10:30-11:15 a.m.; and ages 13-and up, 11:30-12:15 p.m. Each age group is limited to 12 students. Maddie Grant will be the instructor for this camp. Rackets may be provided if needed this year by the Parks and Recreation Department. The cost is $30 for Houlton residents and $45 for non-Houlton residents. This camp will introduce the beginners to the game of tennis and the intermediate player to more advanced skills and drills of the sport. Youth are reminded to bring a water bottle and a mask with them to camp.
Youth Soccer Clinic will be held on Monday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 12 at Community Park. The two sessions are for Grades K-2 from 8:30-10:00am and Grades 3-6 from 10:30-12noon. Each session is limited to 30 participants. Marina Cameron will be the instructor for this clinic. Cost is $40 for Houlton residents and $60 for non-Houlton residents. Youth are asked to wear comfortable clothes, shin guards, bring a water bottle, soccer ball, & mask. Plastic cleats & mouth guards are optional. This clinic will include soccer skill drills, mini games & contests.
Youth Basketball Camp will be held Aug. 9-12 at the Gentle Memorial Building. Age groups and times are as follows: youth entering grades K-2 will go from 1-2:30 p.m. and youth entering grades 3-6 will go from 3-4:30 p.m. This camp is set up to focus on the basic fundamentals of basketball through the use of drills, fun games and competition. The instructor will be Marina Cameron. The cost is $40 for Houlton residents and $60 for non-Houlton residents. Youth need to wear sneakers, bring a basketball, water bottle and a mask.
LEGO Camp is co-sponsored with the Cary Library. It will be held from Aug. 17-19 at the Houlton Rec Center. Parents can sign their child up for either the 9:30-11 a.m. session or the 1:30-3 p.m. session. Each session is limited to 16 children. Youth must be 6-12 years of age to participate. This camp is free to all registrants. Each session youth will use their imaginations to build their own creations. Legos will be provided. Masks will be required.
Fall Soccer Program registrations will also be taken at this time. Soccer Divisions are as follows: Coed Grades K-1; Grades 2-3; Girls only Grades 4-5; Boys only 4-5. A practice will be held on Aug. 26 for Grades K-2 and Aug. 27 for Grades 3-5. The cost is $40 for Houlton residents and $60 for non-Houlton residents. More information will be given at the time of registrations. Grades K-1 and Grades 2-3 will be limited to 60 youths and grades 4-5 will be limited to 48 youths. Youth are encouraged to wear shin guards and a mouthpiece. Wear a mask, bring a water bottle & plastic cleats are optional.
