It is always a pleasure to remind qualified families that now is the time to consider enrolling their children in a free day camp at the University of Maine in Orono.

Kay Hyatt e-mailed that registration is open for the 13th annual National Youth Sports Program at UMaine, a six-week session of fun, sports instruction and educational activities for boys and girls age 10-16.

Want to learn to swim?

It’s practically guaranteed by Steve Butterfield, the UMaine professor of education who has headed the program since its inception.

According to the release from Hyatt, of 200 participants last year, all but three were swimming by the end of the summer.

And that news gets even better, Butterfield said, as those three overcame most of their fear of the water, a major accomplishment for them, and for which they are to be congratulated.

NYSP, a partnership with the U.S. government, universities and communities, is a $1,000 camping experience that costs participants absolutely nothing.

Campers come from families who meet Department of Health and Human Services income guidelines, but some children, whose families are above those guidelines, can have their names added to a waiting list.

Running from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 27, through Thursday, Aug. 4, the program includes transportation from designated sites within an hour of Orono, a sports physical examination, a breakfast snack and lunch.

It is important to keep in mind that this is a noncompetitive environment where young people can learn to believe in themselves, interact properly with others, and experience individual and team success.

The University of Maine campus is truly a beautiful place to be anytime, but summer is especially nice and, who knows, going to “camp” at UMaine may turn out to be just the experience that motivates a youngster to work hard to return to Orono, later – as a UMaine student.

For registration information, call the UMaine NYSP office at 581-2466, or e-mail diane.legrande@umit.maine.edu.

We’ll have more details in a later column, but, for your planning purposes, Judy Butler of Eddington wants you to know that the 17th annual Bangor Flag Day Celebration is 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, on Railroad Street at the Bangor waterfront.

Cyndi Dalton of the Waldo County YMCA invites you to register for its annual Golf Fore Kids Scholarship Golf Tournament, Saturday, June 25, at Searsport Pines Golf Course.

The 18-hole format has two flights beginning with the first shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. and the second flight at 1 p.m.

The $200 registration fee for a foursome includes greens fees and carts, and lunch is available for an additional $10 per person.

Business owners or organizations that want to support the YMCA in another way can become a hole sponsor for $100.

Registration forms are available at the YMCA, 157 Lincolnville Ave. in Belfast, and you can call the YMCA at 338-4598 for more information.

Those who participate, and support Golf Fore Kids, help fund summer camp scholarships, the YMCA’s swim team and other YMCA programs.

Dalton reminds you many children might not be able to take advantage of Waldo County YMCA offerings without the gift of your time or donations.

Elsie Nester of Orland, president of the Maplewood Restoration Committee, has announced a craft fair to benefit the committee’s work planned for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at American Legion Post 207 on Route 3 in Trenton.

Nester reports that 8-foot-by-10-foot spaces are available for rent, for $15 each. Those spaces can be reserved by calling her at 469-7568 or Rosalie Doughty at 469-7154.

All proceeds benefit the restoration of this long-neglected cemetery that includes the graves of six veterans from the Civil War.

Marilyn Wheeler of Presque Isle wrote recently that the Spragueville Extension Homemakers of Presque Isle are planning their 50th anniversary celebration for Saturday, Oct. 1.

They have been unable to locate some former members, and perhaps you can help.

The Spragueville Extension Homemakers would appreciate any information our readers may have about Cilia Baker, Evelyn Bradley, Judy Gardiner, Ruth Heckman, Marguerite “Daisy” Johnson, Connie Lamoreau, Joann Lawlor, Anita Richardson, Pauline Staples, Juanita Thomas and Shirley Woodcock.

“If you can help us locate any of these ladies,” Wheeler wrote, “please call 764-4917 or send an e-mail to tamw@verizon.net.”

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.