Black Bear basketball

ORONO – The University of Maine men’s basketball team is challenging Black Bear sports fans to fill Alfond Arena during the 1 p.m. game on Sunday, Feb. 27, against Vermont.

The Bears lost to Vermont in last season’s America East Conference Championship, earning the Catamounts an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. This year, UMaine is looking for fan support as the team faces Vermont for the final regular season game.

The University of Maine has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network and will donate 50 percent of proceeds to support CMN of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

To help meet this goal, a special group rate of $5 per ticket is available for groups of 15 or more. For those purchasing fewer than 15 tickets, the price is $10 per ticket.

For tickets, call the Alfond ticket office at 581-2327, and mention CMN when you call.

Team members are hoping that sports teams, families and scout troops will cheer them on as they go up against Vermont at Alfond Arena.

Learn to Skate program

ORONO – Orono Youth Hockey and the Orono Parks and Recreation Department are accepting registrations for the Learn to Skate program.

The program consists of six one-hour lessons beginning Monday, Feb. 28. It is developed for all abilities, from first-timers to more experienced skaters.

Participants must have their own skates, waterproof gloves and helmet. The fee is $50 for Orono residents, $55 for others.

Space is limited. Volunteers are needed and welcome.

For information, call 866-0897 or 866-5065.

Youth bowling program

BANGOR – Bangor Parks and Recreation is taking registrations for its Youth Bowling program, to be held 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays, March 2-April 20, at Family Fun Lanes.

The program is for youngsters in kindergarten through grade five.

The fee is $15 for Bangor residents and $25 for others. The fee includes instruction, one string of bowling and shoe rentals for the full eight weeks. Participants are divided into groups of five, according to grade level, and assigned a lane.

For information, call Bangor Parks and Recreation at 992-4490 or stop by the office at 647 Main St.

Winter Adventure day camp

ORONO – MaineBound at the University of Maine will offer a Winter Adventure day camp 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 21-23.

The activity is open to youth ages 8 to 12. Campers will take part in a variety of winter activities, including snowshoeing, skiing and building winter shelters.

Campers provide their own lunches. Equipment and transportation are included. The fee is $150 per camper.

For information, call MaineBound at 581-1794.

A meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at MaineBound, behind the Memorial Union on campus.

Audubon nature camps

Financial aid is available for Maine youth to attend residential sessions this summer at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Bremen and Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary in Elliottsville.

Youth ages 10 to 17 who are interested in the natural world and show financial need can get an application by e-mail at camps@maineaudubon.org, or by calling 781-2330, ext. 215.

Sessions at Hog Island Audubon Camp this summer include Youth Camp and Coastal Kayaking Adventure for Teens. Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary will offer two sessions of its Youth Naturalist Program.

Accessible only by boat, Hog Island Audubon Camp is located on a 330-acre coastal wildlife sanctuary in midcoast Maine. Since 1936, its summer sessions for adults, educators, young people and families have been led by some of the most respected naturalists and environmental educators in the nation.

Coastal Kayaking Adventures for Teens, July 11-16 and July 18-23, combines sea kayaking, backcountry camping and nature observation with cooperative living and group decision-making.

Youth Camp, Aug. 2-9, is led by dedicated environmental educators and naturalists who have strong backgrounds working with middle-school youth. Boys and girls ages 10-13 learn how they relate to the natural environment.

Located just south of Moosehead Lake in Elliottsville, Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary encompasses more than 1,600 acres. Accessible by foot or boat only, its mountainside camp lodges are surrounded by rare old-growth forest, crystalline, blue-green ponds, granite cliffs and sweeping views.

Youth Naturalist Program, July 8-14 and July 22-28, for boys and girls ages 12-14 and 15-16, teaches them how to identify plants and animals – as well as build shelters and navigate while hiking, canoeing and exploring the woods and waters of Maine’s Northern Forest.

For information on these and other Maine Audubon camp sessions for youth, adults and families, visit www.maineaudubon.org, or call 781-2330.