FARMINGTON – The Summer Youth Programs, sponsored by the Farmington Recreation Department, will begin with the Junior Olympic Development track team for ages 6 to 15. Registration for the program will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 16, with the program continuing through Aug. 13.

This summer marks the 26th season of the Farmington Rec. Dept. track team. The program allows area youngster a chance to develop skills and discipline essential to competitive performances in a variety of track and field events.

Competition is separate for boys and girls and is structured by the following age divisions: 8 and under, 9 and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14 and 15. Practices will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Blue High School.

Track

Track meets will take place at various locations in the Central Maine area each Thursday afternoon. There is a meet fee of $1 an athlete, and the registration cost is $20 for Farmington residents and $25 for nonresidents. Parents of team members are expected to help transport the team.

The eighth season of Mountain Bike Challenges with Greg Veayo will be held from June 20 to 24 for beginners and from July 25 to 29 for advanced bikers. The program is for ages 10 to 16 and introduces novice riders to bike safety, maintenance and riding technique. The advanced rider will experience the challenge of only the most rigorous trails.

For either session, participants need only provide their own mountain bike, helmet and water bottle. Each day will begin and end at Hippach Field, with rides lasting from 9 a.m. until noon. Class size is limited for both groups, so early registration is welcome.

Swim

The Rec. Dept. will offer two sessions of swim instruction for young children, ages 3 to 7, at the Wading Pool at Hippach Field. Each session will last four weeks and consist of daily weekday lessons.

Session 1 will be offered from June 27 to July 22 and Session 2 from July 25 to Aug. 19. Classes will be comprised of 10 students of similar age and ability.

Level 1 children, ages 5 and older, will receive instruction in holding their breath under water, kicking their feet, bobbing under water, dog paddle swimming and floating. Level 2 swimmers will be taught to combine the components of freestyle stroke and various games to challenge their underwater swimming endurance.

On Monday, June 20, Farmington residents and Farmington child care providers only will be able to register children for classes in either session starting at 9 a.m. at the Farmington Community Center. Tuesday, June 21, and the remainder of the week will be devoted to filling class vacancies with Farmington children as well as children from surrounding towns.

Registration fees for the program are subsidized by the Sumner P. Mills Trust Fund.

The Sumner P. Mills Swim Program for ages 5 to 18 offers two sessions also. The first will be held from June 27 to July 15 and the second session from July 18 to Aug. 5 at the UMF Health and Fitness Center. Classes will take place Monday through Friday mornings. Registration will also begin at 9 a.m. Monday, June 20, at the Community Center. Registration appointments are available but classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Playground

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The Hippach Field Playground Program for ages 7 to 11 will be held from June 27 to Aug. 19 and provides structured activities and free play opportunities to children who attend playground. The Field House at Hippach Field serves as the primary indoor facility with occasional activities taking place at UMF’s Abbott Park and Prescott Field.

The rain or shine program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Enrollment is limited to 20 or so each day to ensure supervision. Children are expected to bring a bag lunch and/or snacks as they are not permitted to leave the Hippach Field premises.

To reduce waiting time, registration appointments may be reserved by calling or stopping by the Rec. Dept. Appointments do not guarantee desired dates or weeks. Farmington residents only may register for the program starting at 4 p.m. Monday, June 20, at the Farmington Community Center. Starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 21, the remaining vacancies will be filled by children of residents and nonresidents.

Self-Defense

Youth Self-Defense for ages 7 to 11 will run from June 23 through July 28. The program is designed to be an introduction to martial arts for elementary schoolage boys and girls. The course will teach fundamentals of self-protection, self-control and aggression management while emphasizing the physical conditioning and sport aspects of the martial arts.

Students will learn body protection, safe falling, throwing, grappling, escapes, blocking, striking and kicking skills as well as mental and physical discipline in a non-threatening class environment. Self-confidence, respect and non-aggressive attitude will be the fundamental goals of the program.

Classes will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday for six weeks the Farmington Community Center.

Tennis

Tennis instruction for ages 7 to 12 will be held in two sessions this summer. Session 1 will meet from June 28 to July 21; Session 2 from July 26 to Aug. 18 at the Hippach Field Tennis courts on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Participants will meet for one-hour classes in order to learn and practice basic strokes, as well as gain understanding of the rules and scoring associated with the game. Through a variety of fundamental drills, children will be taught the proper method for hitting forehands, backhand and serves. As the players progress, each will try to play practice sets against others of similar ability.

Classes will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for ages 7 to 9 and 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. for ages 10 to 12. Tennis instruction is limited to seven participants per class, so early registration is advised.

For more information about any of the programs that begin in June, call the Rec. Dept. at 778-3464 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.


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