PI recreation activities
The Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Department will have a variety of activities going on during April vacation, highlighted by the Peanut Carnival on Thursday, April 22. There will be open gym offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1-3 p.m. for elementary-age youths and 3-5 p.m. for junior/senior high students. There will also be daily activities as follows:
Monday, April 19 is Junior Olympics day. This program is for students ages 8-13 and runs from 9-11 a.m. at the center. Tennis and basketball will be the skills tested.
Gym games will also be offered. This program is for students in grades 1-6 and will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Capture the flag, dodgeball, and other fun games are planned.
A dodgeball tournament is planned for Tuesday, April 20. This is for students grades 4-6 and is only open to the first 12 registrants, so pre-registration is required. The double-elimination tournament will start at 9 a.m. and will include teams from all over Aroostook County.
Also on April 20 is a wiffleball home run derby. This is for grades 3-6 and will get started at 3:30 p.m. The venue is Mantle Lake Park, and participants will try to hit the balls over the chain-linked “Monster.” In event of rain, the event will be held at the community center.
Wednesday, April 21 is another Junior Olympics day. This time, track and field and soccer will be at the forefront.With the same age group and times as Monday, the location moves to the middle school to utilize the track and soccer field. A 50-meter dash, standing broad jump and shooting accuracy will be the tests.
Flag football/kickball is also planned for the day. PIMS will also be the location of flag football and kickball for kids ages 8-13 following the Olympic events. From 11 a.m. to noon, kickball will take place, and from noon-1 p.m., flag football will take over.
The annual Peanut Carnival is Thursday, April 22. Always the most popular event of the week, the Peanut Carnival is open to all kids grades K-6 and will take place from 1:30-3 p.m. Due to peanut allergies, the old goobers have given way to gold and green coins as kids may try their luck at carnival games to see who can accrue the most coins. After the festivities, the coins are cashed in for goodie bags. Don’t leave after the games though. There will be a drawing for a new bike, donated by Dead River Convenience Store, at the conclusion of the event.
A wiffleball tournament in Caribou is planned for Thursday, April 22. The first eight registrants in grades 4-6 will make up Team Wildcats as they take on others from around the County in a wiffleball tournament held in Caribou. Departure time will be announced.
Friday, April 23 is Contest Day. Looking for the last chance to get the kids’ energy out before vacation wraps up? Students grades 1-6 are eligible to win prizes for competing in ping pong, connect four, and other games from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The more events you enter, the better your chance to win.
Kickball for grades 1-3 is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Teams will be decided, tricky pitches will be thrown, and fun will be had by all.
Dollar Day at the Indoor Pool is Friday, April 23 from 1-2:45 p.m. All Presque Isle residents may partake in general swim for the low cost of $1.
The Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Department has begun registration for residents for their third session of the arts program. Non-resident registration begins today.
The upcoming session’s themes are Puppet Theater and Mystery Box, and the session runs from April 27 to June 4. Grades 1-3 will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while grades 4-6 will meet on Wednesdays and Fridays, with all sessions running from 3-5:30 p.m. The cost of the program is $60 for Presque Isle residents, with an additional fee for non-residents.
There will also be a Mini Monets program for children ages 2-5 and their parents. The cost is $25 for Presque Isle residents and will be held on Friday mornings from 10-11 a.m. Call 764-2545 with any questions.
The recreation department is offering Zumba classes each Tuesday and Thursday from 5:45-6:45 pm. The drop in fee is $6 for those who haven’t signed up for a member deal. Starting April 20, a punch card will be used for the member deal. A card for 10 sessions may be purchased for $40, and classes will be held throughout the summer months and for the immediate future. For more information call 764-2545 or email adampirec@maine.rr.com.
The recreation department will offer an introductory after-school archery program starting May 3. Grades 3 and 4 will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:30 p.m., and grades 5 to 8 will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:30 p.m. The children will be introduced to the basic skills of archery, and they will work their way up through the Junior Olympic skills set. The cost of the six-week program, which runs through June 10, is $25. Equipment is provided and registration is under way. Please contact Adam at 764-2545 or adampirec@maine.rr.com with any questions or concerns.
The Presque Isle Indoor Pool offer an American Red Cross Water Safety Course April 20-23 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for who interested in teaching swimming lessons. Participants must be 15 years of age or older and pre-registration is required.
An American Red Cross Lifeguard class is also being offered May 1, 2, 8 and 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Participants must be able to swim 300 yards doing the front crawl and breaststroke and must be at least 15 years of age.
The pool is offering a kayak practice session on Thursday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. through May 13.
There are still some openings in a few classes. Call 764-2564 for more information.
The recreation department is now hosting birthday parties for ages 4 and up at the community center in addition to the indoor pool. The center is available Friday and Saturday nights from 6-8 p.m., with one hour of organized gym games included in the rental.
Activities vary with age groups, but include wiffleball, soccer, basketball, and kickball.
For more information on rentals for the community center, call 764-2545.
