Youth Programs

Sign ups will begin on Monday, August 26 for residents. Non residents on Tues, Sept 3.

Brochure will be available online starting Fri, August 16. Program details will be on the website by Fri, Aug 23.

Registration has ended and the league has started. Thank you to our league sponsor, Marshall Rental. 

In this program, children make gooey slime, experiment with different reactions, and learn to use the tools that chemists use. Polymers and catalysts are only two of the fascinating concepts young scientists explore in this thrilling trip through the chemistry lab! At the end of every class, they take home an educational toy that extends the learning experience. 3:00-4:00pm.

• Grades 3-5: Tuesdays, October 1 - November 26 (no class November 5)  - 9 spots left!
• Grades K-2: Thursdays, October 3 - November 21  - Only 8 spots left!

Location: Community Campus. Residents $155 | Nonresidents $165

Register Here

Monster Mania

Get your scare on with Snapology’s Monster Mania! Use LEGO® bricks to create your own monster fighter, build a
haunted town and have a scary good time during this fun program. The last class ends with a spook-tacular party! Come and join us, if you dare! 

• Ages 5-12: Mondays, September 30 - October 28 (no class October 14). 3:00-4:15pm. $69

How the Grinch Stole Bricks

In this workshop, students will immerse themselves in the city of Whoville and the story of the Grinch! They will design machines to help the Grinch with his sneaky mission to ruin Christmas, build the city of Whoville, and create sleds to get from the top of Mt. Crumpit down to the city of Whoville! No matter what the Grinch says, it’s going to be a blast!

• Ages 5-12: Mondays, November 25 - December 16. 3:00-4:15pm. $69

Location: Community Campus. 

Register Here with Snapology

Explore and make new artistic discoveries with a variety of art materials and processes.

• Session One: Tuesdays, October 1 - November 12 (No class November 5). 3:00–4:30pm FULL
• Session Two: Tuesdays, January 7 - February 11. 3:00–4:30pm

Location: Community Campus. Residents $160 | Nonresidents $170

Register Here

Learn about the elements of art and principles of design while integrating that into art making.

• Thursdays, January 9 - February 20. 3:00 – 4:30pm (No class January 23)

Location: Community Campus. Residents $160 | Nonresidents $170

Register Here

This interactive and experiential class inspires kids to learn more about the food they eat and how it’s prepared. Students will make a different dish each week and everyone will have a role to play in this process. This class can be adapted to accommodate most food allergies.

• Session One: Fridays, October 11 - December 6 (No class November 29). 3:00 – 4:30pm -  FULL
• Session Two: Fridays, January 3 - February 21. 3:00 – 4:30pm

Location: Community Campus. Residents $235 | Nonresidents $245

** Stay tuned for second Fall Test Kitchen class to open.

Register Here

ForestKids WILD WEDNESDAYS seeks to bring regular nature-based forest experiences directly into your child’s life in a dependable and safe way. Instructor Sarah Brown leads students in collaborative, guided forest play. 
Class on early release days (10/30) is 12:00-3:00pm.

• Wednesdays, October 2 - November 20, 3:00 - 5:30pm FULL
• Location: Outside at Community Campus. Price $340, additional siblings $300.

Since the Wednesday Program is full, please review the Thursday information below.

ForestKids NATURETHURSDAYS is a Nature Immersion Afterschool Enrichment program at Urban Forestry. All classes are mixed ages and open to all children in grades K thru 5. Residents and non-residents welcome.

• Thursdays, October 3 - November 21, 2:30pm- 5:30pm

• Location: Outside at Urban Forestry. Price $340, additional siblings $300. 

• Parent pickup at 5:30pm in Urban Forestry parking lot. 

These all-outdoor nature immersion classes include engaging interactive lessons on wildlife, tree, mushroom and plant ID, hiking, forest exploration, fort-building, science with a nature focus, tree climbing, confidence and collaboration-building games and more!  We'll do nature sketching, learn about the creatures in our forest, catch snakes and frogs and find out about the myriad of birds and animals that fill our woods and marsh.

DONDERO STUDENTS ONLY: Ride the bus directly from school to Urban Forestry. Limited scholarships available. See Dondero Principal Kate Callahan for eligibility.

To sign up or learn more email SarahForestKids@gmail.com or text program leader Sarah Brown at 603-817-4694.  Visit the ForestKids website at https://www.forestkidsseacoast.com/

Exciting afternoon adventures! Explorers will start at the Community Campus for lunch, free play, and then attend a different field trip every month. 12:00 - 5:00pm.

• Wednesday, October 30
• Wednesday, December 4 - Attending the Frozen performance at The Music Hall
• Friday, December 20
• Wednesday, January 8, 2025
• Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Location: Community Campus. Residents $50 | Nonresidents $60 per day
(Frozen trip has a different fee: Residents $75 | Nonresidents $85)

Register Here

Calling all Middle School Students! Play your favorite lawn games including Corn Hole, Disc Golf, Frisbee, Kan Jam, and more!

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 1 - 31. 3:15-4:00pm

Location: Portsmouth Middle School. Free. No preregistration required.

Learn to design and produce a podcast. Students will pick a topic and the group will work together to produce a podcast to be shared with the community. Sign ups through the middle school, or talk to Jamie in the Connie Bean Office.

• Mondays, September 30 - November 4. 3:15-4:30pm (No class Mon, Oct 14)

Location: Connie Bean Center. Free for PMS students

PRE-K and K (co-ed) Skills & Drills

Saturdays; December 7 - January 25 (No basketball during school’s winter break)

• Pre-K: 8:00-8:45am*
• K: 8:45-9:30am*

**Both ages groups have filled. Please chose wait list when registering. As with all programs, we will review the registrations and try out best to accommodate as many children as possible.

Location: Connie Bean Center. Residents $45 | Nonresidents $65

Youth Girls & Boys Divisions

December 7 - February 8 (No basketball during school’s winter break)

• Boys Grades 1 & 2: Practices Mondays, Games Saturdays
• Girls Grades 1 & 2: Practices Tuesdays, Games Saturdays
• Boys Grades 3 & 4: Practices Wednesdays, Games Saturdays
• Girls Grades 3 & 4: Practices Tuesdays or Thursdays, Games Saturdays

Location: Practices at Community Campus, Games at Connie Bean. Residents $50 | Nonresidents $70

Teen Girls & Boys Divisions

December 10 - February 13, with playoffs to follow. (No basketball during school’s winter break). Team placement “try out” dates announced after registration ends. Volunteer coaches needed.

• Boys Grades 7 & 8: Practice Saturday, Game Wednesday
• Girls Grades 7 & 8: Practice Saturday, Game Wednesday
• Boys Grades 9 & 10: Game Thursday
• Boys Grades 11 & 12: Game Thursday
• Girls Grades 9 - 12: Game Tuesday

Location: Practices at Community Campus, games at Connie Bean. Residents $55 | Nonresidents $75

Register Here

Yoga designed for kiddos to learn and connect with their breath. Sometimes the world feels too big, we will learn poses to be calm, clear-eyed and ready to practice kindness. Bring water bottle. Mats provided.

• Grades K-2: Tuesdays, October 1 - October 22 from 5:15-6:00pm
• Grades 3-5: Thursdays, October 3 - October 24 from 5:15-6:00pm

Location: Indoors at Community Campus. Residents $20 | Nonresidents $25

Register Here

Program underway. No more sign ups allowed. Stay tune for Spring and Summer tennis.

Led by a USTA coach, Tennis in the Parks focuses the skills to serve, rally and play - so it’s perfect for beginners and first-time players. Focus on FUN and learning the basics through play. All first-time players receive an age-appropriate racquet and ball. 
Saturdays, September 7 - October 19 (No class 10/12 due to the holiday weekend).

UDATE: Due to rain on Sat, Sept 21, the rain date of 10/26 will be used for the make up class.

• Grades 1-2: 9:00-10:00am
• Grades 3-5: 10:00-11:00am - FULL
• Grades 6-8: 11:00am-12:00pm

Location: Portsmouth High School Tennis Courts. Residents $65 | Nonresidents $70

First Push Syndicate's "Get On Board" is an introduction to skateboarding program. Skateboards, helmets and pads provided. Grades K-2.

• Session One: Tuesdays, October 22 & 29. 4:00pm (FULL) and 5:00pm (only 4 spots left)
• Session Two: Tuesdays, December 3 & 10. 4:00pm and 5:00pm timeslots

Location: Community Campus Gym. Residents $10 | Nonresidents $15

Register Here

New this fall! Learn the Olympic sport of fencing. Fencers will learn mobility, fencing footwork, bladework, and competitive tactics. Safety and sport equipment provided. Participants must wear athletic shoes. 

Ages: 6-9: 5:00-6:00pm (FULL) | Ages 10-13: 6:00-7:00pm | Ages 14+ and adults 7:00-8:00pm

• Fall Session: Fridays, October 18 – December 6 (No class Nov 8 or Nov 29).
• Winter Session: Fridays, January 10 - February 14 

Location: Community Campus. $150 Resident | $175 Nonresident

Register Here

Making the team requires more than just skill, it requires focus, respect, and hustle. This clinic will be led by Rec staff alongside local basketball instructors and coaches. In this clinic, you will learn what coaches are truly looking for when fielding a select school squad. Hustle, respect, and work ethic matter just as much as pure skill! Grades 7-12.

• Friday, November 8. 6:00-7:30pm

Location: Connie Bean Gym. Residents $10 | Nonresidents $15

Register Here

Boys and girls in grades 6 - 8 will create their own teams of 3 players and play in a one-day tournament. Two divisions, boys and girls, round-robin format.

• Saturday, December 28. 9:00am start (Times may vary based on bracket)

Location: Connie Bean Gym. Residents $25 | Nonresidents $30

Registration begins Monday, November 4

Two-day clinic to brush up on your basketball skills as well as learn new tips (and have fun). Led by Coach Dwayne Knepshield (Coach Fuzz). Co-Ed program.
Two Days: Monday, December 30 & Tuesday, December 31

• Grades 1-2: 9:00-10:15am
• Grades 3-4: 10:30am-11:45am

Location: Connie Bean Gym. Residents $20 | Nonresidents $25

Register Here

American Red Cross Babysitter Training program is designed to provide youth who are planning to babysit with the knowledge & skills necessary to safely and responsibly give care for children and infants. Participants will learn leadership skills and basic childcare, tips to develop a babysitting business, how to keep themselves and others safe, and hints to help children behave. This class includes Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification. Attendance at all classes is required. Ages 11-15.

• October 12 & 13, 8:00am-2:00pm - FULL

Location: Community Campus. Residents $50 | Nonresident $60. All Supplies Provided.

Register Here

Spend the day off from school having fun with The Rec! Sports & games, arts & crafts, or outdoor adventures. There will be a different field trip each day.

• Friday, October 4, 2024, 9:00am-5:00pm - Only 6 spots left!
• Thursday, January 23, 2025, 9:00am-5:00pm

Location: Community Campus. $70 Residents | $80 nonresidents (per day)

Register Here

Fun-filled week of activities and field trips for grades K-5. 

• February Vacation: Monday-Friday, February 24 - 28. 8:00am-5:00pm.

Location: Connie Bean. $225 per resident | $250 nonresident

Register Here

Blended Learning Lifeguard Training
Course length: 19 hours, 30 minutes in-person and 7 hours 30 minutes online. Total - 27 hours
Provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.
Prerequisites:

• Minimum age: 15 years;
• Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:
  • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface and then swim 150 years using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed)
  • Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
  • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
     
• Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed)
  • Submerge to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps

To successfully complete the Lifeguarding Blended Learning course, the participant must:

• Attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
• Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during scenarios.
• Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
• Pass the final skills scenarios.
• Complete all eLearning content, including the eLearning written exam (CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers ;and First Aid).
• Successfully pass final written exams with a minimum grade of 80 percent.

Participants who successfully complete the Lifeguarding course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for 2 years.
Location: Indoor Pool
Ages: 15 and over

Contact Lexy at the Indoor Pool for upcoming trainings: https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/recreation/indoor

This course trains instructor candidates to teach classes in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program. Ages: 15+ welcome.

$400 Portsmouth residents | $450 nonresidents. More information can be found HERE. 

• PREREQUISITES FOR THE WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR (WSI) CLASS:

To take part of the Water Safety Instructor course, the student must be a minimum age of 16. Demonstrate swimming skills consistent with the Stroke Performance Charts, Level 4, by swimming the following strokes:

• Front Crawl – 25 yards
• Back Crawl – 25 yards
• Breaststroke – 25 yards
• Elementary backstroke – 25 yards
• Sidestroke – 25 yards
• Butterfly – 15 yards
• Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling)
• Tread water for 1 minute

The Blended Learning content consists of 23hrs of in-class work and 7 hours of at home online study. 
Upon successful completion of the Water Safety Instructor (WSI) course, candidates will receive an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification valid for 2 years.

Early childhood music & movement helps little ones develop their innate musicality. Ages: Birth - Age 4. Located at the Community Campus. Visit the Music Together website for day, times prices and registration. 

Register Here

Parent supervised play time. Bring your toddler to run, play and tumble on the mats.
Location: Community Campus.
Saturdays through spring, 8:30-11:00am
FREE; no registration needed

Please note: Tumble Time will resume Saturdays starting November 2.