Amherst Youth Soccer      Day Camps     Facilities   
General Program Questions     General Registration    
Mill River Community Playground      Swimming     Ticketed Events   
Web Site info      Amherst Youth Basketball League       Adult Sports

Web Site Information

Q. Why can I only see this web site with Internet Explorer versions 5.0 and up?

A.  At this time, this site is only designed with the latest version of Internet Explorer. This browser is available for free from Microsoft Corporation.  Other browsers may work for viewing information, but will not work with online forms.

General Registration

Q. I don't live in Amherst, can I still enroll for classes?

A. Yes, anyone may enroll for our classes. We do charge a $10 non-resident fee per course per person for those with a residence outside of the town of Amherst. Non-residents include Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury.

Q. I work in Amherst, but I don't live in Amherst, do I still have to pay a non-resident fee?

A. Yes. The definition of an Amherst resident is one who pays taxes in the Town of Amherst or whose primary residence is in Amherst.

Q. Why do I have to pay a late fee if I'm only a day or two late and the program hasn't even begun yet?

A. We decide with the instructor whether a particular class has enough participants in order to run it.  The late fee date not only encourages you to enroll before the fee is charged, but also gives us the number of students for confirmation of our contracted agreement with the instructor. It also allows us time to contact participants if a course is cancelled. The late fee implementation also assists us in a faster and smoother registration process for our customers.

Q. I would like to register for some of the LSSE activities, but I have a low income. Is there any program that might be able to help me?

A. Yes, we have a Fee Reduction program for low income families (for Amherst residents only). Depending on your income level you could receive either 50% or 25% off of the programs.

Q. Can I sign up for all programs over the phone?

A. You can sign up for most programs over the phone (with a credit card). Exceptions include Soccer and Football, as they require in-person registration with parental permission signatures.

Q. Can I sign up for all programs over the internet?

A.  You can sign up for most programs on the internet. For programs that need parental signatures, printable forms are available here.

Q. Some programs need different registration forms in order to sign up.  How do I know what form to use and where can I get them?

A. The General Registration Form is used for most of our programs. There are a few forms (Soccer and Football) that require a parents signature. You may be contacted for more information as this form does not include all the information needed for all programs. All forms are also available at the LSSE office and are also available for you to download or access here.

Q. Can I drop off registrations after office hours?

A. Yes, the Bangs Center is open until 8:00 p.m. weeknights and you may drop off material through the mail slot in our office door. Please do not leave cash, however.

Q. I'm on a waiting list.  How and when do I get notified if I am in the class?

A. Waiting lists are taken whenever a class is full.  You will be called if either someone officially drops out of the class, or if arrangements can be made to increase the size of the class.  Occasionally we may be able to add another course section. Payments are not taken until there is space for you in a program.

Q. Can I try out a class before I sign up and pay for it?

A. It is very important that you register and pay for a class before you can attend.  We must know how many people are attending a class in order to set the instructor's contract and determine if there are enough people to hold the class. Unregistered people will not be able to attend the class and will be referred to the LSSE office for registration.

Q. Can I find out who is enrolled in a course and get phone numbers for the purpose of carpooling?

A. We cannot provide you with a course roster, however, if you would like to leave your name and phone number, we can distribute it to the class list.

Q. How do I find out if my program is cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather?

A. At any time of the day you may call our cancellation line 413-259-3066. The message is updated as the weather changes.

Q. How do I get a refund?

A. All refunds requests MUST be in writing. Please see our policies information page for specific criteria for refunds.

Q. More questions?
A. Please refer to our General Registration information page.

Facilities
Q. Can I reserve a picnic table or pavilion at the town parks?

A. LSSE does rent the Groff Park and Mill River Facilities. To  reserve either of one of these picnic areas, please call the office at 259-3065.There is a fee for these facilities. For more information go to pavillions.
 

Q. Can I reserve a room at the Bangs Community Center?

A. Yes, but you would call the Senior Center 413-259-3060. LSSE does not do the reservations.

Q. My child lost something at a program.  Do you have a lost and found?

A. Contact the instructor or Program Director of the program at which the article was lost to inquire. We usually keep items for one week after they are found.

General Program Information

Q. Can I bring my kids with me to a class?  Is there daycare available?

A. No. Neither a facility nor staff is available for caring for your children during a program. You must make your own arrangements for care of your children while you attend class. 

Swimming

Q. Why aren't there more swimming hours during the day?

A.  The indoor pool at the Middle School is not available to us during the days, but there is early morning lap swim, and evening hours available. Please check our pool schedule. Please see our pool schedule for specific time.
 

Day Camps

Q. What is the ratio of counselors to campers?

A. For Early Adventures (5-6 yrs) it is 1 to 5. Adventure Playground (7-10 yrs) it is 1 to 8. For our Outdoor Challenge (11-14 yrs) it is 1 to 10.

Q. Are there buses for the summer camps?

A. There are buses for the recreational day camps. The pick-up and drop-off points are at selected areas. There is a schedule available at LSSE. There are no buses for the sports camps.  It is the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation.

Q. Why do I need to submit a physical for my child in order to register for day camp?

A. According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, children registering for either a Day or Sport camp must have an Immunization and a Physical exam (within the last 2 years to the date of the camp) in order to participate beginning in the year 2006. We must abide by this state law. We must have these on file at our office prior to camp registrations.

Amherst Youth Basketball League
Q. Are There Any Fee Reductions?
A. There are fee reductions for qualified Amherst residents (certain restrictions will apply). Call LSSE prior to registration for more details on how to apply. For those who do not qualify for a fee reduction, additional contributions are collected and used to help reduce the fee for families in need. Participants still need to register and pay the full registration fee and will be refunded if funds are collected for this program.

Q. How are Players Assigned to Teams?
A. Team assignments are done by LSSE. Teams in grades 1-6 are organized by school, it is possible that players in grades 1-6 may not get on a team from the school that they attend. For grades 7-12, the teams are not selected by school, a number of variables are put into place in order to strive for having balanced teams. If possible LSSE will try to accommodate car pooling requests.

Q. When and Where are the Practices Held?
A. Practices are held during the week Monday-Friday. For grades 3-12 there are one or two practices per week to be held anywhere from 3:15-9:45 p.m. depending on gym space and age of the player. For grades 1 and 2 there are no formal games. There is however, one practice a week with instruction and inter-squad scrimmages (at least ONE practice will be held Sunday afternoons). The local Elementary, Middle & High Schools are used for practices.

Q. Is Attendance at Practices Mandatory?
A. No, but players are strongly encouraged to participate in as many practices as possible.

Q. When Will the Game T-Shirts be Ready?
A. For all grades t-shirts should be ready on the first day of games.

Q. When and Where are the Games Held?
A. Coed 1st and 2nd  Saturdays and Sundays at Wildwood Elementary School
Boys 3/4 Sundays at Fort River Elementary School
Girls 3/4Sundays at Wildwood Elementary School
Boys 5/6 Saturday at Fort River Elementary School
Girls 5/6 Saturdays at Wildwood Elementary School
Boys 7/8 Saturdays at Amherst Regional Middle School
Girls 7/8 Saturdays at Amherst Regional Middle School
Boys 9-12 Saturdays at Amherst Regional High School and Amherst Regional Middle School
Girls 9-12 Saturdays at Amherst Regional Middle School
All Days and times subject to change

Q. When Will We Receive Notification on Which Team My Child is On?
A. This information changes year to year, please check back for next season's dates.

Q. When Will the Schedules be Available?
A. This information changes year to year, please check back for next season's dates.

Q. What Should My Child Wear to Practices/Games?
A. All players should wear gym shorts, T-shirt for practice, Amherst Youth Basketball T-shirt for games, Basketball sneakers & socks. When playing the following are not allowed: chewing gum, hats, hair clips, bandanas, jewelry (watches, earrings, chains, rings, etc.).

Q. I Would Like to Volunteer, How Do I Join?
A. Volunteers are vital to the smooth operation of the youth basketball league. Volunteers are needed to help out in many different areas. The league currently has over 175 terrific volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help out with coaching and as a "team parent". If you would like to help out please indicate this on the registration form.

Q. How are the Youth Basketball Coaches Trained?
A. All Youth Basketball coaches are required attend 2 of 3 basketball clinics offered before the start of the season. These clinics are typically run by area college and high school basketball coaches. They are designed to cover the basics, such as offensive and defensive coaching as well as  to teach coaches to "break down" each skill into smaller, more teachable parts. Coaches will be given effective drills to implement during their practices.

Q. How Do I Know if Practices or Games are Cancelled?
If the practices or games are cancelled due to inclement weather there will be a message on the Cancellation line at 413-259-3066.  Monday-Friday, the message changes as the weather changes, we will keep it updated as the day progresses. If schools are closed for inclement weather, then there will be no youth basketball practice. For games, on Saturday mornings please call after 7:30 a.m. For games on Sundays, please call after 10:30 a.m.

Youth Soccer

Q. I signed my child up for Soccer, when will I hear something?

A. LSSE is hired to do the registrations for Amherst Youth Soccer Association, but we do not set up the schedules or assign teams.  Check out their website at www.amherstsoccer.org. You may also email them from there.

Q. I haven't heard from anyone about my child's soccer schedule and games are starting in a few days.  Who do I contact?

A. You may email Amherst Youth Soccer through their website. Amherst Youth Soccer does not have a general phone number for customer service at this time.

Q. How do I get more information about youth soccer or register a complaint?

A. Amherst Youth Soccer is a parent-run, volunteer organization. LSSE's only involvement at this time is to accept registrations for them. AYSA has set up their website as their communication vehicle to the public.
 

Ticketed Events

Q. Can I get a refund on tickets if something comes up or a family member becomes ill?

A. There are NO refunds on any ticketed events including: Community Theater, Valley Light Opera,  and others. You may, however, exchange your tickets for another performance as long as you bring in your tickets to LSSE before the performance date on your ticket.  An exchange fee may apply. We will only issue a refund if inclement weather prevents us from holding an event.

Q. What are the hours of the box office and where is it?

A. The box office for all ticketed events is at the LSSE office during regular office hours of Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  The box office will close at 12:00 p.m. on the day of a performance and reopen at the show site one hour before the performance begins.  Please do not leave ticket order information on our answering machine between Friday evening and Sunday night since we will not be back to the office until Monday morning to retrieve messages. You will also only be able to place internet ticket orders until the day before opening night.

Q. Why can't I reserve tickets and pay for them at the door?

A. Since many people decide not to come to a show if they have not paid for tickets, these tickets go unsold and may prevent another theatergoer from attending a show.    

Q. Why can't I pick out the specific seats I want over the phone?

A. Since most people do not have a house map in front of them when ordering over the phone and to expedite the processing of ticket orders, we do not try to describe the available seating to you over the phone.  If you have a request to sit in a specific area, we will do our best to provide you with the best seats available at the time of your call. Telephone orders are accepted and filled by numerous customer service assistants.