Lacrosse — a contact team sport that traces its roots back to the Native American Iroquois — may be coming to Manteca as a recreation sport.
It all depends upon the interest shown in the upcoming Skyhawks Lacrosse Camp for ages 6 through 12 being staged by the Manteca Parks and Recreation Department July 18-22 at Northgate Park.
Recreation Supervisor Brandy Clark said department staff will assess demand after the camp to determine whether the city will offer a lacrosse recreation league in the future.
Lacrosse combines basic skills used in soccer, basketball, and hockey into one fast-pace game. Participants will learn the fundamentals of stick-handling, cradling, passing, and shooting in what is described as “a fun, non-checking environment.” Sticks, gloves and helmets are all provided. Participants receive a T-shirt and player evaluation. The participant-to-coach ratio is 12-to-1.
The five day camp from July 17-22 is from 9 a.m. to noon each day. The fee is $159 for residents and $169 for non-residents. The deadline to register is July 15.
Skyhawks is also conducting a mini-camp for ages 4 to 78 designed to “give children a positive first step into athletics” covering baseball, flag football, and soccer. Each participant will receive a Skyhawks soccer ball, T-shirt, and merit award. The ratio is 8 students for every coach.
The June 26 to July 1 camp is 9 a.m. to noon daily at Northgate Park. The fee is $159 for residents and $169 for non-residents. The deadline to register is June 23.
Other youth sports camps this summer are:
uCOED BASKETBALL CAMP: The next sessions are July 11-15 with ages 7 to 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and ages 10 to 15 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Golden West School gym on North Main Street. The fee is $45 for city residents and $55 for non-residents. The deadline to register is July 7.
uGIRLS SOFTBALL CAMP: The camp with separate concurrent sessions for ages 8 thru 12 and 13 thru 15 led by East Union High girls softball coach Brian Goulart take place July 11-14 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Northgate Softball Complex The fee is  $40- for residents and $50 for non-residents, The deadline to register is July 7.
uCO-ED VOLLEYBALL CAMP: The July 18-22 session for ages 12 to 15 is at Golden West School gym from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The fee is $48 for residents and $48 for non-residents. Registration deadline is July 15.

Water programs
in full swing
Saturday’s first ever Summer Splash Water Safety Day at Lincoln Pool staged in conjunction with the Manteca Fire Department was a big success.
Clark said a number of people thought there was an admission for the free event. There wasn’t.
She said that underscored the concern people have to make sure their kids are safe in and around water.
To that end, Clark said the upcoming Junior Lifeguard clinics are ideal for re-enforcing safety even if a participant ultimately doesn’t want to become a lifeguard.
“They (the clinics) are real popular,” Clark said. “My daughter took it and she had a blast.”
Clark said the program is flexible enough in the ability to add instructors to meet demand that registration is open until the day prior to the start of each session.
Participants are required to know how to swim for the two-day weekend clinics conducted at Lincoln Pool. Participants need to bring a sack lunch, water, towel, change of clothes, sunscreen, glasses and hat. They will receive a Junior Lifeguard T-shirt.
Two junior lifeguard clinics for ages 10 through 14 are planned at the Lincoln Pool The first session is Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19, and the other Saturday-Sunday July 16-17. Both sessions are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. The cost of a session is $30 for residents and $40 for non-residents.

Scuba diving,
lap swimming
& water aerobics
Introduction to scuba classes for those 10 and older are scheduled for Sundays on June 26 and July 24 from 10 a.m.  to noon at the Manteca High pool. The cost is $10 or $20 for non-residents
 Lap swimming for all ages takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Manteca High from June 7 through Aug. 2. No pre-registration is required. You simply pay the $2 per session fee at the entrance to Manteca High swimming pool. A minimum of five swimmers are needed for the session to take place.
Water aerobics for men and women 17 and older take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. at the Lincoln pool. The $5 per session fee is payable at the door.
For information on Manteca Parks & Recreation programs call 456.8600.