Mike Lorrain Mike Lorrain on the low ropes course at the Baldwin Center. (Photo Lauren Kovach)

After graduating from Springfield College May 18, Mike Lorrain, 22, of Boothbay Harbor returned home to take on the job of Youth and Community Development Director for the local YMCA.

With his bachelor of science degree in physical education, the opportunity to come back to his hometown and work for the YMCA and the youth sports program was a great opportunity.

Lorrain says, "After being born and raised here, getting a job at the Y was a nice surprise. Knowing the area and community is very helpful and I think there is a lot of potential to do good things in the area."

Executive Director of the YMCA Andy Hamblett, met Lorrain over the summer while he was working with the summer camp. Hamblett says, "I knew Mike had a great personality. He really helped out with youth sports and recreation with a natural lead. The Youth and Community Development Director was not even a posted position, we just knew Mike would be a good fit."

In his position at the YMCA, Lorrain takes the ideals of leadership, values and community to another level. He works with adventure-based learning along with traditional sports.

Hamblett adds, "It's helpful that he lived in and graduated from the Boothbay area. It's hard to find people from the community."

Lorrain, who has always been interested in and involved with sports and recreation, credits good physical education teachers from elementary school on with developing his interests with physical activities.

"Someone who knows all aspects of physical education gives the programs we offer more credibility," says Hamblett.

Some of Lorrain's duties include designing physical education curriculums for the area schools including Southport and Edgecomb along with Boothbay Harbor.

In Southport, where there are not many facilities for physical education, the YMCA takes in their students several times a week. Also, Lorrain goes to the new Edgecomb school twice a week.

Hamblett adds, "The YMCA helps communities keep taxes low. By Mike going to the Edgecomb school, they don't have to hire a physical education teacher."

Along with acting as a teacher, Lorrain is currently gearing up for the YMCA's summer camps. There will be twelve sports camps offered this summer. These camps are for the middle school to preteen age group who are looking for new challenges. Along with the usual sports camps like swimming, a new camp featuring in-line skating will be offered.

Hamblett says, "Mike has gone to several training programs and has met many new people and learned about the YMCA's "assets list" which features 40 assets that middle to high school teens need to succeed in life. These assets help to add to each child's life. When they are confronted with the issues on the list it helps them to build resiliency."

Lorrain believes that the YMCA is the centerpiece of the community and feels that the biggest Y contributions are catering to the needs of kids and their families. He says, "I like getting to the kids' levels and working beyond the school curriculum."

Lorrain also explores other options, including getting teens more focused. His office is located near the lobby where kids come in to the YMCA, making him more available. Lorrain hopes to develop more after school programs and open up the facility a little more.

The YMCA's Baldwin Center offers many opportunities for adventure learning and positive benefits. Lorrain hopes to bring more kids to the Center, which features low and high ropes courses, trust falls, obstacle courses and a zip line. He believes that the kids really develop through the sports and the adventure learning.

Both Hamblett and Lorrain have high hopes for the youth summer sports camps. Volunteer coaches are still needed. Lorrain also offers a training program for potential coaches to brush up on their skills. He also believes that the most important thing a parent can do for their son or daughter is to get involved. He says, "A parent shouldn't just drop their son or daughter off at practice or camp, they should take the time to learn how to get involved in any aspect."

In the future Lorrain hopes to stay in the Boothbay area and continue to work with youth. He says, "There have been great programs in the past and I just want to make them better and stronger. I want to give the kids more options and no matter how long it takes,

I'll do it."

For more information about the summer sports camps, the Baldwin Center or coaching opportunities please call the YMCA at 633-2855.