FARMINGTON – Summer youth programs offered by the Farmington Recreation Department begin this month.
Junior Olympic Development Track Team will be held from June 14 to Aug. 10 for ages 6 to 14. The program helps participants develop skills and discipline essential for competitive performances in a variety of track and field events. Practices will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. Track meets are held at locations in Central Maine on Thursday afternoons. Registration will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at the Farmington Community Center.
Wading Pool Swim Program for ages 3 to 7 will be held in two sessions. Session 1 will take place from June 23 to July 18 and session 2 from July 21 to Aug. 15. Both sessions will be offered at the wading pool at Hippach Field. Level 1 children receive instruction in holding their breath under water, kicking their feet, bobbing for objects under water, dog paddle swimming and floating. Level 2 will be taught to combine the various components of the freestyle stroke and various games to challenge their underwater swimming endurance. Registration fees are subsidized by the Sumner P. Mills Trust Fund. Farmington residents and Farmington child-care providers only may register starting at 9 a.m. Monday, June 16. Registrations on Tuesday, June 17, will be devoted to filling class vacancies with Farmington children as well as those from surrounding towns. Parents requesting specific classes should call the Recreation Department in advance for a five-minute registration appointment.
Older Children Non-Swimmers program for ages 8 and up will also provide swim instruction in two sessions. Session 1 is from June 23 to July 11 and Session 2 from July 14 to Aug. 1. Due to the reconstruction project this summer at the UMF Health and Fitness Center pool, all Level 1 and 2 swimmers will receive instruction at the Hippach Field wading pool. Farmington residents only may register beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, June 16, at the Farmington Community Center. Class vacancies will be filled starting June 17. Classes are limited to six swimmers and will take place at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday for Level 1 and at 11:45 a.m. for Level 2. Registration fees for this program are also subsidized by the Sumner P. Mills Trust Fund.
The Hippach Field Playground will be available for ages 7 to 11 from June 23 to Aug. 15. This program provides both structured activities and free play opportunities to children who attend playground. Traditional events include Gifford’s Bingo, treasure hunts, splash parties, parachute games, picnics, water balloon fights, movie days, crazy competition and more. This rain or shine program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Enrollment is limited to 20 each day. Farmington residents only may register for this program beginning at 4 p.m. Monday, June 16, at the Farmington Community Center. Registration appointments scheduled every 10 minutes are recommended and may be reserved in advance by calling or visiting the Recreation Department. Starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, remaining vacancies may be filled by children of residents and nonresidents.
Youth Self Defense for ages 7 to 11 will be offered from June 26 to Aug. 7. This program, under the direction of Noel Danforth, is designed to be an introduction to martial arts for elementary school age boys and girls. The course will teach the fundamentals of self protection, self-control and aggression management while emphasizing the physical conditioning and sport aspects of the martial arts. Classes will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursdays for six weeks in the Farmington Community Center gym. Enrollment is limited so registration must take place before the first class.
Supervised Fishing is a one-day morning program promoting the safe, educational aspects of fishing. The program is available for children ages 7 to 11 and will take place on July 3 at Rollo Pond at the University of Maine at Farmington. Children will learn such basics as casting for accuracy, the proper way to set a hook and release fish, untangling lines and how to clean and prepare their catch. Enrollment is limited to 10 first-time participants and fishing will be offered at 9 a.m. July 3. The only equipment necessary is a working, castable fishing rod and reel. The pond will be stocked with 100 rainbow trout prior to the July 3 session. Following the end of the fishing at 10:30 a.m., children may watch the restocking of the pond for the 4th of July fishing derbies. Participants may register for this program immediately.
Non-Contact Lacrosse for ages 11 and 12 will be held July 28-31. This is a new program this year and due to the need to purchase equipment, any child wishing to participate must register and pre-pay by June 27. The program is limited to the first 30 children. This introductory camp will expose young players to the basics of lacrosse, emphasizing important skills over physical contact. It will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Hippach Field. For more information about any of these programs contact the Farmington Recreation Department at 778-3464 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
