Families First Community Center is holding its 6th annual fundraising dinner on September 16th, featuring Dr. Donna Beegle as keynote speaker.  The event will take place at Big Cat’s Catering in Trenton, beginning at 4:30 pm.  See press release for more information.

Cobscook Institute invites you to Mirror Sailboat Repair Day on July 19th, 1-5 pm.  Let’s work together to give these Mirror sailboats the care they deserve. These are the wooden boats used in our youth sailing classes. Whether you’re a seasoned boat repair enthusiast or someone interested in learning something new, this event is for you. The event will take place at the back parking area, which will serve as our workshop for the day.  Learn more here.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H and Maine Coast Heritage Trust will offer a short-term, in-person 4-H club about environmental sciences. Intended for youth ages eight to thirteen, the special interest, or SPIN, club will meet on July 26, August 2 and 12 at the Gallison Memorial Library and Earl Bigelow Memorial Park in Harrington.  This SPIN club will focus on learning about natural ecosystems.  Youth will do hands-on activities like plant pressing, identifying different species of plants and insects, and building their own worm farms.  The club is free. Register and find more information on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207-255-3345; gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu.

John Wagner, from Maine DOL, has the following suggestions for activities your kids can do without adding more screen time:

1. Show them how to get a job:
   1. If over 16 years of age they can look at jobs on the Maine JobLink system.  These jobs are verified to be real.
   2. If under 16, have them ask their neighbors if they need odd jobs done around their yard or even help with light child care.
   3. Have them set up a lemonade stand
   4. Walk a dog
2. Connect them with some of the free trainings that are available:
   1. GCFGlobal – learn the essential skills they need to live and work in the 21st century
   2. EdX – audit courses from a wealth of options to include some of the world’s most renown universities
   3. Coursera – offers educational and job-training opportunities
   4. FutureLearn – great for STEM type classes
   5. Udacity – a niche educational platform that focuses on information technology and related fields
   6. Udemy – tailor-made for business professionals
   7. Digital Maine Library – Keep it Maine!
   8. Bendable Maine
3. Look at volunteer opportunities
   1. Charity Rn/Walk
   2. Join Scouts
   3. Share tech knowledge with a neighbor
   4. Other ideas

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