FARMINGTON — Free beginner swim lessons offered through the Sumner P. Mills Scholarship Fund will be held at the Fitness and Recreation Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Beginning swimmers, ages 4 to adult, learn skills through the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program taught by student water safety instructors, Jennifer Pageot, assistant director at the center, said.

Other swim instruction classes are offered for a fee to ages 18 months through adults.

Registration for all classes begins Jan. 3. Lessons are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Membership at the center is not necessary to take swim lessons.

Some classes begin Jan. 14; the last session starts April 8.

A fund established years ago from the estate of Farmington lawyer Sumner P. Mills, who began the Farmington firm known as Mills and Mills in 1911, provides the means for the town and center to offer beginning swim lessons, she said.

The center offers lessons to anyone in the area, not just residents of Farmington. Many local towns have their own swim programs, but can’t offer the pool experience in the middle of winter.

Last year, the interest from participants exceeded what the fund allowed, so a small fee was charged during the fall sessions.

The spring sessions are at no charge. Last year, the beginning classes were maxed out with a waiting list of 25, so two new classes were added.

The program for this spring was expanded to meet the needs, she said.

Group and private swim lessons are available for individuals, 18 months through adults. This year, the program offers more lesson time options with several once-per-week lessons and three class sessions that meet two times per week for five weeks, she said in a release.

The Parent and Me class costs $30 for 10 lessons, and for levels three to six, the charge is $40 for 10 lessons.

“These are important skills. We never want finances to be the reason people don’t have the opportunity,” she said. The center  works  with individuals on payment plans when needed.

Registration forms must be submitted to the recreation center, either in person of through the mail. For more program information, visit the center on Quebec Street or visit their website at frc.umf.maine.edu., or call 1-207-778-7437.

abryant@sunjournal.com