DIXFIELD — The Western Maine Foothills Kids Association will host a free, monthlong summer program at the T. W. Kelley Dirigo Middle School.

It will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning July 9 and ending Aug. 1. The program will be led by Ilse Dunbar, the site coordinator for outside of school day programming at Dirigo Middle School.

According to Barbara Radmore, the afterschool program director for the association, the purpose of the program is to “highlight the many different types of gaming that are available and played by youth today.” Among the games that will be played during the program are fantasy card games, board, educational and active games.

“Students are also welcome to bring games from home to share if they have favorite ones that they want to play or teach others,” Radmore said. “This should be a fun, and maybe even educational, time for middle school students.”

Radmore added that the business Kingmaker Games on Recreation Drive in Mexico will act as the program’s “go-to consultants,” in terms of helping the program coordinators figure out what types of games the students would be most interested in. They will also be providing materials, Radmore said.

The program will be offered to all middle school students for free and will include breakfast and lunch.

“We mailed registration forms home to every Dirigo Middle School student,” Radmore said. “As long as they fill it out and submit it, they’ll be allowed to attend.”

Radmore said she hopes the program will be a chance for students “to meet new friends while relaxing and learning new games or honing advanced gaming skills.”

“It’s also a chance for people who are expert gamers to act as teachers and players,” Radmore said.

If any students require transportation, Radmore advises them to call 357-6987 before July 2 to make plans.

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