Youth Programs

Parent supervised play time. Bring your toddler to run, play and tumble on the mats.
Location: Community Campus.
Saturdays through May 10, 8:30-11:00am (No Class Memorial Day Weekend)
FREE; no registration needed

Please note: 

• No food or shoes in the tumble time room.
• Room available for birthday party rentals on Saturdays between 11:30am - 4:00pm.

APRIL VACATION BREAK

Robot Recruit: Children learn about the use of robots in the world and spend time experimenting with super cool robots. They discover the science of circuits and how robots use sensors to explore things around them. They will also build their very own working robot to take home with them! Location: Community Campus

• Monday - Friday, April 28-May 2, 2025 from 9am-3pm. $420 resident | $425 non resident Cancelled 

Hosted inside at Community Campus (and sometimes if weather permits, outside in the front lawn). Learn basic yoga poses, connect with breathing, perform mini walks and quiet times. Sometimes the world feels too big, we will learn poses to be calm, clear-eyed and ready to practice kindness. Older students get a more intensive yoga experience. Bring mat and water bottle. Mats available to borrow, if needed.

• Grades K-2: Tuesdays, May 6 - May 27. 5:15 - 6:00pm
• Grades 3-5: Thursdays, May 8 - May 29. 5:15 - 6:00pm

Location: Community Campus. $20 residents | $25 nonresidents

Register Here (Using our new registration portal MyRec)

Afternoon adventures await! Explorers will start at the Community Campus for lunch, free play and then attend a local field trip. Please pack a lunch for your child to eat. Grades K-5.  Take the bus or get dropped off. 12:00 - 5:00pm

• Wednesday, May 14

Location: Community Campus. $50 residents | $60 nonresidents

Register Here (Using our new registration portal MyRec)

Date night? Get some shopping done? Take a nap? Whatever the reason, drop off your kids for a few hours to hang out with the Rec! Kids will have time to play with friends in the gym, eat dinner, and enjoy a movie. 5:00 - 8:00pm.

• Friday, May 9 (Mother’s Day Special)

Location: Community Campus. $20 residents | $25 nonresidents

Register Here (Using our new registration portal MyRec)

Tennis in the Parks - Learn & Play

Led by a USTA-approved coach, the Tennis in the Parks program will focus on developing the skills to serve, rally and play - so it’s perfect for beginners and first-time players. We focus on FUN and learning the basics through play. This program uses modified tennis balls, age-appropriate rackets and the latest engaging activities that help players successfully learn and play the game quicker. All players, in their first session, receive and keep a new age-appropriate racquet and ball!

For more information regarding Tennis in the Parks, including scholarships, parent support guide and volunteer opportunities, visit their website: www.usta.com/newengland/tennisintheparks

SPRING: Saturdays: May 3 - June 14 (possible rain date 6/21) (No class 5/24, Memorial Day Weekend)

• Grades 1-2: 9:00am - 10:00am – Max 16
• Grades 3-5: 10:00am - 11:00am – Max 16
• Grades 6-8: 11:00am – noon – Max 16

Location: Portsmouth High School Tennis Courts 50 Andrew Jarvis Dr. Portsmouth, NH

Fee: $70 residents / $80 nonresidents

SUMMER: Mondays, July 7 - August 11 (possible rain Date 8/18)

• Grades 1-2: 5:00 - 6:00 pm – Max 16
• Grades 3-5: 6:00 - 7:00 pm – Max 16
• Grades 6-8: 7:00 - 8:00 pm – Max 16

Location: Portsmouth High School Tennis Courts 50 Andrew Jarvis Dr. Portsmouth, NH

Fee: $75 residents / $85 nonresidents

Register Here (Using our new registration portal MyRec)

Fun filled week of activities and field trips! 

• Grades K-5: Monday - Friday, April 28 - May 2. 8:00am - 5:00pm

Location: Community Campus. $225 residents | $250 nonresidents

Children will learn the fundamentals of America’s favorite pastime! Volunteer coaches needed.

• Ages 4-5. Thursdays, May 1 - June 5. 4:30 - 5:30pm

Location: Community Campus Field (behind pickleball courts). $40 residents | $60 nonresidents

Register Here (Using our new registration portal MyRec)

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.

• Session 1: April 14 -18, 2025 from 4:00-9:00pm

• Session 2: Thursday May 15 & Friday May 16 4:00-9:00pm, Saturday May 17 & Sunday May18 9:00-5:00pm

$350 residents | $400 nonresidents. Includes lifeguard manual, resuscitation mask & certification fees.

Register Here (Using our new registration portal MyRec)

Train to Hire: Summer Staff – Blended Learning Lifeguard Training
Entry level summer lifeguarding job at the indoor and/or outdoor pool. Must be available to work a minimum of 20-hours per week between June 23 - August 22, 2025 and be available for training dates and orientation. As part of employment, the candidate will be trained as a Red Cross Certified lifeguard. Ages: 15+. Location of training: Portsmouth Indoor Pool

Apply through the City’s Human Resources website: www.cityofportsmouth.com/hr/work Please apply and pass the pre-test by Monday, May 12, 2025.

• In-Person Training: Friday, May 31 from 4:00-9:00pm, Saturday, June 1 from 9:00am-5:00pm & Sunday, June 2 from 9:00am-5:00pm 
• Summer Staff Orientation: Saturday, June 15, 10:00am-1:00pm 

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

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

• Spring 2025 sessions TBA

$400 Portsmouth residents | $450 nonresidents.

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 and 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

Basketball is full for the 2024-2025 season.

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

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

• Pre-K: 8:00-8:45am
• K: 8:45-9:30am

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

Youth Girls & Boys Divisions - FULL

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

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

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

Teen Girls & Boys Divisions - FULL

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
  • Game Schedule
• Girls Grades 7 & 8: Practice Saturday, Game Wednesday Cancelled
• Boys Grades 9 -12: Game Thursday - starting in January.
• Girls Grades 9 - 12: Game Tuesday

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