Registration is open for the City of Norwich Youth Bureau’s Winter Recreation Programs, which include bowling at the Elks Lodge as well as wrestling, softball, baseball, soccer, cheerleading, and a winter fun club. (Photo by City of Norwich Youth Bureau)

NORWICH – The City of Norwich Youth Bureau recently announced that registration has opened for its 2027 winter recreation programs, offering a range of free activities for children in the community. The winter recreation programs include junior wrestling for boys and girls, softball, winter fun club, soccer, cheerleading, baseball and bowling.

Although most programs begin the first week of January, junior wrestling starts Nov. 17 and remains open for registration. The program is offered to boys and girls in grades K through 8 and takes place at the Norwich High School wrestling room. It offers two sessions based on experience level: one for kids with zero to two years of experience on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., and one for children with three or more years of experience on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45 to 8 p.m. and Wednesdays from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m.

Softball, for grades 3 through 10, begins Jan. 4 at the Norwich Soccer Center on Maple Street, meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m.

The Winter Fun Club is for grades K through 6 and will be held at the Guernsey Memorial Library, also starting Jan. 4. It will meet on Mondays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Soccer, for grades 3 through 8, starts Jan. 5 and will be held at the Norwich Soccer Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m.

Cheerleading, for grades 2 through 8, begins Jan. 4 at Perry Browne Intermediate School, meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Baseball also begins on Jan. 5 and will be held at Norwich Soccer Center. The program for grades 2 and 3 will be on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m.; grades 4 through 8 will meet on Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.

The bowling program, for grades 3 through 8, starts on Jan. 9 and is to be held at the Norwich Elks Lodge BPOE No. 1222 at 14 E. Main St. It will take place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

These youth programs are offered free of charge to residents of the city of Norwich, North Norwich, Plymouth, Preston and Pharsalia. Some activities are supported by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Families can register online through the following link: cognitoforms.com/CityOfNorwichYouthBureau/WinterPrograms.

The City of Norwich Youth Bureau will also operate the Borden Avenue Skating Facility throughout the winter. It will be open as ice conditions allow. Rink hours are currently listed as Monday through Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

For more information, contact the City of Norwich Youth Bureau at 607-334-1206 or [email protected], or on Facebook.