Summer is by far the busiest time of year for Scarborough Community Services. We are gearing up to serve more than 300 kids in grades K-8 for summer day camp and summer adventure trips. We have prepared our three beaches and trained staff for the beach season already underway. We are also finalizing plans for some fun summer events and activities in July and August, giving local families a variety of opportunities to get out and enjoy everything Scarborough has to offer.

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.

Adult programs

With an increased demand for adult-focused programs, we continue to add new offerings each season. This summer we are offering pickleball lessons (beginner and advanced beginner), an ages 35-plus Sunday soccer league, and we will be holding two cornhole tournaments this summer.

Teen programs

For rising seventh- and eighth-grade students, we have increased the summer adventure trips to two per week.

Trips include outings to places such as Canobie Lake Park, Aquaboggan, Funtown/Splashtown, OSG Paintball, Sea Dogs game, Water Country, and many more. Trips run on Tuesdays 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.

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 to local favorites, like the Yarmouth Clam Festival, throughout the summer.

We are also offering our annual senior barbecue on Wednesday, Aug. 16, under our tent near Wentworth, with live music provided by Jim Gallant.

For all details on programs, including dates, times, prices, and registration, visit https://web1.vermontsystems.com/scarborough.html.

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 coming up:

Parks and Rec Month – 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, a new cornhole tournament, and themed kids activities throughout the month.

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 to come in June.

Summerfest – Aug. 18

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 new cornhole tournament, music from the band 12/OC, food, games, and so much more. This fun-filled evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. This is a great 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 its Facebook page and visit the department page at www.scarboroughmaine.org. Search “Summer Brochure” on our website for a look at programs for all ages.

Nicole Hall is operations and events manager for Scarborough Community Services. She can be reached at 207-730-4158.

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