DIXFIELD — Thanks to a federal grant, children attending schools in the Rumford and Buckfield areas will have a chance during most of the month of July to travel on field trips, learn new games, work in a garden and take part in a myriad of other activities.

Allie Burke, program director for the grant at Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10, said although there has been, and will continue to be, academic summer school in each of the district’s schools, this is the first time a full slate of activities will be offered at a minimal charge for every child who wants to take part.

Nearly $200,000 from a federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grant will cover most of the costs for the summer program, as well as the after-school program available during the school year at Dirigo Middle School, Meroby and Rumford elementary schools, and Buckfield Junior-Senior High School.

A full day of activities, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including breakfast and lunch, costs $10 for those who are signed up in advance or $15 for walk-ins.

Transportation from various pick-up sites will also be available.

The Summer Adventures series is offered to K-6 students from the towns of Byron, Roxbury, Mexico and Rumford at Meroby Elementary School in Mexico beginning July 6.

An open house takes place from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, June 24, at Meroby Elementary School.

Parents can register their children and learn more about the program, including a detailed schedule of events and activities, at the open house from summer camp coordinators Angela Harvey and Colleen Calden.

Weekly field trips include the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, the Maine State Museum in Augusta, Coos Canyon in Byron and Mount Blue State Park in Weld.

Children will have a chance to care for the Mountain Valley Middle School garden, visit local libraries and fire departments, take part in a scavenger hunt, and go swimming or rollerskating.

Students in grades 6-8 from the Dirigo towns of Carthage, Canton, Dixfield and Peru may also participate in the field trips.

Another summer adventures program began Monday, June 21, at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School and is coordinated by Gretchen Kimball and Annette Caldwell for students in grades 7-8. Weekly field trips take place on Thursdays there.

For more information on that program, contact Kimball at [email protected], or Caldwell at [email protected].

A separate summer activity program is also taking place at Hartford/Sumner Elementary School.

Free healthy, nutritious meals will be provided by the RSU 10 food service department at the three sites, thanks to a grant from the Maine Summer Food Service Program.

For additional information on transportation pick-up sites, contact Burke at 357-6987.

[email protected]