Flag football and soccer for youngsters are being offered through the City of Escalon Recreation Department, with soccer to start soon and sign-ups on now for flag football.

Rec officials reported recently that sign-ups for the 2025 soccer season saw a record of 915 players registering, up from the 889 that took part last year.

The season is scheduled to run from Saturday, Aug. 2 through Saturday, Sept. 27.

This year, the City of Escalon Soccer Program has officially joined the MLS GO League, and a total of 99 teams have been formed across multiple age divisions for boys and girls, along with the youngest co-ed teams.

Also new this year, Escalon Recreation offered a U17 Boys Division, utilizing it as a pilot program to provide recreational opportunities locally for older players. Three full teams with players from ages 14 to 16 will compete in this division.

Already completed, the required coach training and player evaluations have been held, along with a coaches clinic and a player skills clinic. Practices were allowed to start the week of July 14, giving teams a few weeks to practice prior to the start of the season.

On the Flag Football front, registration continues through Aug. 26, open to players ages five through 14. Players ages seven and up will be placed on separate boys and girls division teams. The season is scheduled to run from Oct. 11 through Dec. 6, though there will be no games held over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Last year, there were 341 players taking part.

Continuing recreation programs include Adult Softball, hosted Thursday evenings at Hogan-Ennis Park, featuring 12 teams.

Yoga is taught on Thursday evenings at the Escalon Community Center, with the next session set from Aug. 21 through Sept. 25; teacher is Annette Wing.

Karate classes through Shotokan Karate Academy are offered Mondays and Wednesdays at the Escalon Community Center and Dance classes are hosted Tuesdays, offered through Powerhouse Dance Academy. Jazz, ballet, hip hop and ballet are featured; age eligibility is seven to 11 for jazz; five to eight for ballet; eight to 12 for hip hop. The next session is scheduled from Aug. 5 through Sept. 9.

Visit the city’s website at www.cityofescalon.org and click on the Residents tab, then go to Recreation in the drop-down menu for more information or to register for an upcoming program.