April 2026 eNews

Community Programs Spotlight



Harraseeket Adventure Triathlon - Saturday, May 30th

We are two months away from race day! Join us for an afternoon paddle, bike and run - all taking place on the Wolfe Neck Peninsula in Freeport. This year we are fortunate to partner with the LL Bean Paddling Center, Wolfe's Neck Farm Center, and Wolfe's Neck State Park for our route and accomodations; in addition, we will be continuing our partnership with SeaSpray Kayaking for gear rentals. We hope you will consider taking part in this fun race!

Here is a direct link to the detailed event info and registration page

Dick's Sporting Goods - COUPON

Valid Friday, April 10 through Monday, April 13

Save the date! The Maine Rec & Parks Association has secured this exclusive discount of 20% off throughout the store! Be sure to grab all the things you will need for the season as well as all the other items that you have had your eyes on! To access exclusive savings, click the coupon linked below. The coupon is valid in-store on the dates above and must be shown at the register during checkout.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR IN-STORE COUPON



Youth Girls Basketball Success Stories!

Youth basketball interest has been growing in our community these past few years, and all the hard work players put in is definitely paying off! Congratulations to these two Community Programs teams on winning their respective spring tournaments.



Spring Programming

Below is a list of select programs that we want to highlight, since they're starting soon. Click each program title to go directly to its registration page, or head over to our website for a full list of programs!

Adult Programs

Ferment This! with Emma Holder

We have a number of sessions coming up in March and April - from Sauerkraut, to Kimchi, Radishes and more! If you are interested in learning about the fermenting process, this class is for you! Head on over to our website for more info and registration.

Making Music Again

Do you have an old band instrument lying around in your attic? Did you play a musical instrument as a kid and have always wanted to pick it back up? This eight-week course is a wonderful way to revisit and rekindle your musical skills and will get you back into the swing of music making in no time! All musicians will receive simple sheet music to play through. Together as an ensemble we will practice, make mistakes, and explore concepts such as tuning, tone, technique, balance, rhythm, and dynamics.

Maine Sandlot Baseball League

Early bird registration for the MSBL closes on March 31! Register before then to receive a $35 discount. The MSBL is a supremely player-friendly league for players who have completed their high school eligibility right up through their 20s. We've got a June-July regular season of approximately 15 games, followed by an early August championship tournament. It's excellent baseball, a ton of fun, and insanely affordable. Join us!

Trip to Quebec, Canada

We are hosting an informational session to review details for this upcoming trip in June. Join us on April 28th from 7-9pm at the Freeport Middle School Library to ask questions and learn about this incredible opportunity!

Youth Enrichment Programs

Spark You: Mystic Creatures April Vacation Camp

At SparkYou's Mystic Creatures Camp, we turn kids' love of Pokémon-style creatures, dragons, fairies, unicorns, and sneak in real hands-on science while they are not looking. Campers become “trainers” as they go on quests, explore real science concepts like chemistry, physics, elemental forces of Pokémon (water, fire, ice, earth, and electricity), and solve creative challenges in a fun, safe, and educational environment. Along the way, campers exchange cards, build confidence, friendships, and a genuine love of science.

Spark You: Science Masters

Sessions at DCS, MLS & MSS.

Join our after-school class, where children explore technology and engineering through engaging, hands-on learning. Each week, students investigate how science shapes the world around them—from how video games are created and what pixels are, to how temperature, forces, and motion affect materials and movement.

Maine Nature Art with Sarah Cass

There is still space in both the mud season and spring sessions of these programs at DCS, FMS and MLS! Seasonal delights will inspire your budding artists during these sessions. Come join in and bring a snack, water bottle, and imagination inspired by all Maine has to offer outside. Click the program title above to register.

Farm Camp @ Wolfe's Neck Center

At Farm Camp, kids engage in hands-on learning about regenerative agriculture and the environment. Campers take care of livestock, tend gardens, and make new friends while exploring 626 acres of farmland, forest, and coast. Wolfe's Neck Center is excited to offer a one day version of this program during Professional Learning & Development days at school.

Youth Sports & Fitness Programs

Disc Golf Club @ FMS

Are you interested in learning a new sport? Perhaps you want to improve your skill? Sign up for this fun club to learn the ins and outs of this life-long sport. Specific days and times will be announced as we get closer to spring.

Kids Yoga and Mindfulness

Yoga and mindfulness can promote resilience and self-regulation in children. Students will connect, breathe, move, focus and relax through cooperative games, art, music, physical postures, and mindfulness activities designed for kids. Classes are playful, explorative, responsive, and fun!

Taekwondo @ DCS

Come join us for an introduction to the traditional Korean martial art of Taekwondo - no experience necessary! Learn basic kicking and striking skills, self protection and defense skills, and traditional forms and patterns for the new student. You'll also learn ways to improve your physical fitness and focus while developing a positive attitude in your daily life! Come try out some classes and start on a track to achieving your first belt!

- - -

We are still accepting registration for some of our spring sports teams! Click each program title below to view those pages:

Harraseeket Harriers Running Club @ DCS

Little Laxers Lacrosse (K-2nd)

Youth Lacrosse (3rd/4th Grade Girls)

Youth Rugby (K-5th & MS)

Youth Ultimate Frisbee (MS & HS)

Summer Camps

Check out these two summer camps, or go to our website to view a full list!

Confirm your spot for Challenger Soccer Camp this year!

Dates: Aug 3 - 7 @ Durham Community School

Register here: https://challenger.configio.com/pd/268712/rsu5-community-programs

Register here: Seussical, the Musical: Summer Theater Performance Camp

Local Events & Activities...

...with RSU5CP

Join us for a fundraiser and community night at Maine Beer Company on May 7th! Come and go at your leisure; 20% of all food sales from 4-8pm will be donated back to Community Programs.

...with Other Local Groups

The Freeport Public Library presents:

Craft Supply Swap

Out with the old and in with someone else’s old! Freeport Community Library will soon be collecting materials for our spring cleaning Craft Supply Swap which will take place on Saturday, April 11 from 10am-2pm. Time to go through your cupboards and closets and set aside your unwanted, still usable goodies. The library will be accepting donations during our regular hours throughout the first two weeks of April. We will sort and arrange donated goods into a second-hand craft supply extravaganza.

Please test materials (paints, markers, inks) to be sure you are not donating rubbish. We will be happily accepting new or gently used craft supplies donations, including: textiles, crafting machines/tools, containers of all sorts, scrapbooking supplies, art/craft instruction books and magazines, store bought crafting kits and more.

This program is free and open to the public for adults and teens in grade 8+. For directions or other questions, call 207-865-3307 or visit freeportlibrary.com.

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce presents:

Boots & Brews 5K Run

Join us for the annual Boots and Brews 5K and Kids’ Fun Run—a fun, family-friendly event celebrating Freeport's rich history and vibrant future! The Boots and Brews 5K starts and ends in downtown Freeport, showcasing the beauty and charm of this historic town. After the race, stick around to sample brews from local favorites like Brickyard Hollow, Goodfire Brewing, Maine Beer Company, and Mast Landing Brewing. All proceeds from the "Fun Run" will be donated to RSU 5 Community Programs to help support our mission to provide scholarships for local children, ensuring access to opportunities for those who may lack the necessary resources to participate.



Our partners at Freeport Community Services...

...offer community events taking place regularly at their location at 53 Depot Street in Freeport:



Art Van

Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the Month, from 10:30am-12pm. Meet in the FCS courtyard to create art with your neighbors.

Tech Time with the Library

Every 1st Thursday of the month, from 1-3pm. Meet in the FCS lobby. Come with questions, curiosity, and any gadgets you may need help troubleshooting!

Free Lunch Friday

Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, from 12-1pm in the Bradley Room at FCS. Free meals for everyone in the community, prepared by local volunteers.

Adult Education

For questions about our Adult Education programs, you may contact our Adult Ed Coordinator, Liza Gerber, at:

207-865-6171 x8322 or GerberM@rsu5.org

Laugh & Learn

Our Laugh & Learn programs in Durham, Freeport and Pownal have spent lots of time playing outside, sledding, building forts, doing crafts this winter! We enjoy having conversations with children about what the seasonal changes bring to each of them, and our community. We look forward to enjoying some warmer weather as we enter the spring! 

Our Laugh & Learn team works hard to prepare an inclusive, educational and fun environment for children throughout the school year; we hope to grow and become even more involved in our school and local communities. March was out of this world in our preschool space and although we may not have stamped classroom passports on other planets, Preschoolers did continue their learning of planets and the solar system. Students tested out our astronaut gear, rode in the classroom spaceship and helped to set up a classroom solar system. The group traveled back to earth in time to wrap up the Italian unit and make their own pasta, then “hop” over to Ireland to set up leprechaun traps ahead of St. Patrick’s Day. Learning about St. Patrick’s Day traditions fit perfectly with the current letter of focus, “P”. We look forward to continuing our learning about Italy and “travel” to new regions throughout April!

Want to hear more? Check out our Spring Newsletter.

Our Laugh & Learn team works hard to prepare an inclusive, educational and fun environment for children throughout the school year; we hope to grow and become even more involved in our school and local communities.



Registration for Laugh & Learn Preschool, Before and After Care is still open however spaces are limited for the 2025-2026 school year. Visit the Laugh & Learn page on our website for more details and to begin the registration process. Any questions? Reach out to: ChildhoodEd@rsu5.org

Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year: 

Preschool: Monday, February 2nd 2026 -- still a few spots open!

Before and After Care: Wednesday, April 1st 2026 

Laugh & Learn programs are growing so fast that we’re looking to add more teachers to our team! This fun and fulfilling position can be viewed and applied for by visiting this link. Questions? Please reach out to: ChildhoodEd@rsu5.org

Gift Cards

Need an idea for a quick and easy gift? Community Programs sells gift cards of any value! Give us a call at 207-865-6171 for details and to purchase.

Reminder to Use Credits on Your Accounts!

Many credits have been issued over the past year, which means you could register for a program using money that has already been applied to your account. To see whether or not you have a credit, you can log into your profile at this link - after logging in, click "My Account" and any credits will be listed under the "Account" menu on the left (see example image below).

Information on Scholarships

One of our goals here at Community Programs is to make our programming accessible to everyone. To help us reach that goal, we offer scholarship funding to anyone who may need it - all you have to do is apply!

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship (full or partial), we ask you to please submit our application form BEFORE registering for the program. The earlier we are able to process these requests, the better, as it helps us budget and plan our programming each season. You may submit your application/request to our office by emailing the completed form to cp@rsu5.org. All information provided will be kept confidential.