Although the first official day of summer is June 21, the Boothbay Region YMCA has already started its summer with a host of activities, fundraisers and camps on the horizon.

Meagan Hamblett, membership and marketing director, said there are plenty of reasons for Y members and non-members to get excited for the months ahead.

The Y will have its usual slate of outdoor and indoor activities, classes, and starting June 17, summer camps.

With summer residents returning to the region, the summer exclusive membership has returned, Hamblett said.

Again offered this year is the Cottage Membership, where a house can be signed up for a membership at the Y for up to six months.

“So if someone rents out their cottage, (the renter) can still use the membership,” Hamblett said. “This is a great option for grandparents who have grand kids visiting them all summer.”

The cost to register a house for three months is $450 and $550 for six months.

Ballroom dance lessons in time for the summer wedding season, swimming lessons, Y Fit Camp, cycling, Zumba and yoga all return to the Y this year.

Also returning are the several fundraisers the Y hosts each year.

The 20th annual Boothbay Region YMCA Southport Rowgatta will be at 8:30 a.m., on August 10. Preregistration costs $35 while same-day registration costs $40 with proceeds benefiting the Y's aquatic programs.

“The money raised goes towards Boothbay Region Elementary School, Southport and Edgecomb swimming programs,” Hamblett said. “We have a great pool here and we want to make sure that swimming is part of the physical education program.”

The 12-nautical-mile row allows any non-motorized or non-sail craft to participate.

The last weekend of July will feature the annual silent auction, with several tweaks to the routine. The auction will start on Friday and continue through Saturday.

The money raised will go to youth programs. Any item that isn't snapped up at the auction is donated to the Rotary's annual auction. Last year, the silent auction raised more than $10,000 for youth programs.

The Y is still accepting donations for the auction.

Other fundraising events include the Y's annual fund drive, which this year will feature the mother-daughter combo of Pam Baldwin and Maddie Rideout, and the June 21 “Fill up the bus” event at Hannaford's.

Hamblett said there are classes and programs for every age range. One of the favorites for older walkers are the Walks with Rupert, which return for the sixth year. Rupert Neily will once again host laid-back nature walks throughout the Midcoast.

The first walk will be 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, June 29 at La Verna Preserve between Bremen and New Harbor. The La Verna Preserve boasts 2.5 miles of hiking trails The cost will be $10.

The second walk will be at 9:30 a.m. July 20 at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson. There are two guided trail walks at Hidden Valley and the cost is $15.

The third walk is at 8 a.m. August 17 on Swan Island in the middle of the Kennebec River. The Y bus will travel to Richmond, then a ferry will whisk walkers across the river to explore Swan Island's trails. The cost is $18.

Other events, costs and a schedule are available in the YMCA's summer program guide which is available at the Y, or by visiting www.boothbayregionymca.org.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.