The Manheim Township Recreation and Park Planning (MTRPP) Department recognizes that everyone is unique and that everyone has different interests. That's why it wants to offer a variety of programs, including water polo.

"I think it gives kids an outlet to try something they haven't tried before," said Matt Hutchison, Manheim Township's assistant director of recreation and aquatics director. "A lot of our programs are like that. It's an opportunity to learn a new game or sport, and you might pick up a new friend along the way."

MTRPP sponsors and organizes two instructional and recreational water polo programs. The first is conducted indoors at the pool at Manheim Township High School (MTHS), 115 Blue Streak Blvd., Lancaster, from March to May, while the other is held outdoors at Overlook Park Pool, 301 Golf Drive, Lancaster, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from June 9 to the end of July.

There is a fee involved with MTRPP's water polo program. For more information or to sign up, go to http://www.manheimtownship.org or call 717-290-7180.

"(The program) gives youth of all ages a chance to learn the game," said Hutchison. "It's a lot of instructional time and learning the rules. It's a recreational program. It's really conducive to beginners and learners."

MTRPP's water polo program is designed for both township and non-township youths, boys and girls age 14 through college students. The two-hour sessions consist of learning fundamentals, the rules of the game and basic strategies, as well as putting those basics into practice in the form of scrimmages. But participants do not compete against clubs or teams outside of Manheim Township.

About 13 youths were involved with MTRPP's water polo program at MTHS this spring, and typically the rec department's summer water program attracts 15 to 20 participants. Chris Flores serves as the program's instructor.

MTRPP has been sponsoring its water polo programs for about five or six years now.

"It's kids who can swim and want something different from the swim team," said Hutchison. "It's something new that they can't get anywhere else. There's a curiosity piece to it. People who play need to be really good swimmers and need endurance and strength. You can't be a poor swimmer and be a water polo player."

"A lot of these kids have never played water polo before," added Hutchison. "We have enough kids to run the program. But if we had more kids, we might be able to do more with the program; it could evolve into something else."

Water polo is an aquatic sport played in an all-deep pool between teams each consisting of seven players - six field players and one goalie. The players swim or tread water and employ, passing, teamwork, shooting and strategy to score goals.

MTHS does not field a varsity water polo team, nor does any school district in Lancaster County or District III. There are currently seven boys' water polo teams in the state sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

"When people think of a pool, they might not think of water polo," said Hutchison. "We think it's a neat little program. We'd like to see it grow. It might not be the type of entertainment that you're looking for. It's got its own little niche. People want to know what it is and how to play it."

MTRPP's mission involves providing recreational opportunities for all 44,000 of its residents and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The department sponsors more than 30 youth programs.

"(Water polo is) similar to our other youth programs because it promotes the instructional and recreational side of sports," said Hutchison. "For all of our programs, we're trying to add value to the lives of the residents of Manheim Township. We want to give them what makes the best sense for them. We try to offer a variety of things. There's a lot here. You've just got to figure out what's for you."