FARMINGTON – The Farmington Recreation Department will offer the following programs in July and August as part of its summer youth programs:

Supervised Fishing will be offered on July 1 for ages 7 to 11 to teach the safe, educational aspects of fishing. Supported by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the program will begin to teach children 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 for an hour and a half starting at 9 a.m. at the Abbott Park pond. The only equipment necessary is a working, castable fishing rod and reel. Rollo Pond has a posted bag limit of three fish a person a day.

There will be 100 Rainbow trout, 8 to 10 inches, stocked in the pond prior to July 1. The supervised fishing will conclude at 10:30 a.m.

The Paul Blauvelt Baseball Program for ages 6 to 15 will be offered from July 6 to 25. This 19th year program of baseball skills instruction is named in memory of 1985 Mt. Blue Baseball Team Co-Captain Paul Blauvelt. It offers youngsters an opportunity to work on and improve their game in the off-season, just as Blauvelt did.

The program is divided into four divisions with emphasis on skill development essential to the game. Farm League Division for ages 6 to 8 will focus on practicing the proper techniques involved with throwing, catching and hitting.

Cal Ripken Beginner Division for ages 8 and 9 will concentrate on upgrading basis skills necessary to compete at the Cal Ripken, or Little League, level of play.

Cal Ripken Advanced Division, for ages 10 and 11, for current Cal Ripken league players desiring additional practice to further develop their games.

Babe Ruth League Division, for ages 12 to 14, will prepare players for the physical adjustment to the game at the next level on the Major League Field.

The program will run Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the following classes: 9 to 10 a.m., Farm League; 10 to 11 a.m., Cal Ripken Beginner Division; 11 a.m. to noon, Cal Ripken Advanced Division; and 1 to 2:30 p.m., Babe Ruth Division.

Class size is limited to 12 for any division mentioned above, so early registration is welcome.

Summer Softball for ages 8 to 13 will be offered from July 5 to 21. This is a non-competitive softball program that will emphasize the basic fundamentals of the game. Instruction will focus on the development of proper technique in the areas of throwing, catching, base running and hitting.

The program will be divided into two groups: ages 8 to 10 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and ages 11 to 13 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

The program is designed to provide six sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout July. Class size is limited to 15 for any division mentioned above, so early registration is recommended.

Summer Gymnastics will be offered for four weeks beginning on July 6 at the Farmington Community Center with instructor Delani Evans from Decal Gymnastics.

Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays as follows:

Mondays: Beginners (age 7 and up) from 2 to 3 p.m.; Beginners (ages 4 to 6) from 3 to 4 p.m.; Intermediate from 4 to 5 p.m.

Wednesdays: Advanced, 1:30 to 3 p.m.; Tiny Tots (ages 2 to 4), 3 to 3:40 p.m.; Intermediate from 4 to 5 p.m.

The cost for four weeks is $40, with family discounts for those with two or more children involved. For more information or to register, call 474-3222. Class sizes are limited so early registration is suggested.

Cheerleader Tumbling Program for ages 7 to 14 will be held from July 6 to 27. The program focus will be on teaching the proper form and techniques for round off, back handsprings and other essential tumbling skills needed for the growing sport of cheerleading. The program will take place from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at the Community Center. There is a $10 discount for those who register for both tumbling and the Jaime Beth Shible Cheerleading Camp.

The Jamie Beth Shible Cheerleading Camp, also for ages 7 to 14, will be held from July 11 to 29 and is dedicated to the memory the 1996-1997 Mt. Blue co-captain.

Participants will go through four stations daily consisting of stunts, cheers and chants, dance and gymnastics. They will learn the fundamentals for cheering, such as motion technique, voice projection, facial expressions, tumbling skills and stunts.

The high energy program was developed for aspiring Little League football cheerleaders and those hoping to cheer at the high school level. It will take place Monday and Wednesday from 6:15 to 8 p.m. at the Farmington Community Center. The program will last for three weeks, with a final exhibition for family and friends on July 29.

Pre-Season Soccer Camp for ages 7 to 14 will be held from Aug. 8 to 11. The four-day camp is devoted to skills development and makes an opportunity for veteran players to get a jump on the competition. For new players, it is a chance to be introduced to the basic fundamentals that will be taught during their upcoming seasons of middle school competition or Instructional Soccer League play.

Pre-Season Soccer will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Hippach Field. Players will have an opportunity to cool down in the Hippach Field Wading Pool. Registration must take place before the class. The registration is $12 for Farmington residents an $16 for out-of-town residents.

For more information about any of the programs, call the Farmington Recreation Department at 778-3464 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.