Summer is one of the craziest times of year for Scarborough Community Services, between summer day camps, specialty camps and special events, as well as maintaining parks, trails and beaches for residents and visitors all season long. No matter how you like to spend your summer days, we have something for you.
Youth programs
If you are looking for week-long specialty camps to help fill in your child’s summer schedule, look no further. From art, dance and STEM offerings, to a multitude of sports programs (including soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, field hockey, lacrosse, track and field and more), we still have availability in most camps. New this year: Eco-Adventure, musical theater, preschool craft time and circle time, girls’ volleyball, and Kayak Adventure Trips.
Adult programs
With an increased demand for adult-focused programs, we continue to add new offerings each season. This summer we have pickleball lessons (beginner and improvers), men’s 30-plus summer soccer league, and a variety of active-adult trips and enrichment programs. New this year: beginner running club, trips to Sea Love Candle Bar, a Sea Dogs game, beach picnic trips and garden workshops.
Teens can go on a Troll Hunt this summer at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. File photo / Portland Press Herald
Teen programs
We have increased the number of summer adventure trips for rising seventh- and eighth-grade students to three per week. Trips include outings to places such as Canobie Lake Park, Six Flags, Aquaboggan, Funtown/Splashtown, OSG Paintball, a Sea Dogs game, Water Country and many more. Trips run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with varying departure and return times. Prices vary depending on locations and admission prices. Most trips still have plenty of spaces remaining, but sign up soon before they are all gone. New this year: Troll Hunt at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, AG Paintball, orienteering and sea kayaking.
Senior programs
Many of the senior programs that take place during the school year continue during the summer. These include bingo on Monday afternoons, Games and Gather sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays, weekly catered meals on Wednesdays and a variety of trips throughout the summer, including the Yarmouth Clam Festival, Foster’s Clambake and The Carole King Musical at MSMT. We are also offering our annual senior barbecue on Aug. 14, under our tent near Wentworth, with live music from Andrew Favreau, raffles and more. Normally $15 per person, we were able to lower it to $8 thanks to a sponsorship from Aetna Medicare Solutions.
For all details on programs, including dates, times, prices and registration, please visit web1.vermontsystems.com/scarborough.html.
Discounted tickets
Scarborough Community Services sells discounted amusement park tickets during the summer through Maine Recreation and Park Association. Parks include Aquaboggan (general admission for $21, normally $30), York’s Wild Kingdom (zoo only passes for $14 each, normally $18) and Funtown/Splashtown (combo passes for $47 each, normally $57). Tickets will be available to purchase in person at the Hub around mid June. We will announce on Facebook and our website when tickets are available.
Community events
One of our favorite aspects of being the town’s Parks and Recreation Department is all of the special events we get to put on for the community. Here are the summer events:
Parks and Rec Month – Month of July
Join us for a variety of activities during the month of July as we celebrate the vital role Community Services plays in bringing people together, providing essential services and fostering the growth of our community. Events and activities include exercise sessions in the park, the annual Maine Backyard Campout celebration and free chair yoga sessions every Wednesday at the Hub. A Kids Jamboree in the Park will be held July 15, featuring musical guest Amanda Panda of KindKids Music, a Hannaford PALS promotion, kids movement activities and games, an ice cream truck and more. Thanks to a generous sponsorship from Martin’s Point Health Care, the majority of activities will be free and open to the public. A detailed schedule coming soon.
Summerfest – Aug. 16
Grab your family and friends and join us for our annual Summerfest event. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. and feature a road race, a kids bounce zone, dance performances, music from the band Springsteen Road, food, games and much more. This fun-filled evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. This is a great free family event – make sure you don’t miss it.
Got a great program idea?
Scarborough Community Services is always looking for new and exciting ideas for programming and events. If you have any special talents or unique knowledge that you would like to share with the community, we would love to partner with you. Reach out to us via email at comserv@scarboroughmaine.org and we can discuss the possibilities of adding programs or events to our offerings. A program proposal form is also available on our website.
To stay up to date with all that Scarborough Community Services has to offer, follow our Facebook page and visit the department page at scarboroughmaine.org. Search “Summer Brochure” on our website for a look at programs for all ages.
Nicole Hall is the operations and event manager for Scarborough Community Services.
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