NORWICH – The City of Norwich Youth Bureau is offering a variety of summer recreation programs free of charge.

Norwich Youth Director Anthony Testani said the bureau looks to provide opportunities for kids in our area to participate in things they wouldn't normally get a chance to.

“We don't charge anything for the kids to participate or take our trips,” said Testani.

The Summer Recreation Programs this year include a variety of sports, activities, and soon to be announced trips.

Ages 6-13 can participate in cheer, soccer, flag football, basketball, baseball/softball, and karate. Ages 8 -17 can participate in tennis and pickleball. The Summer Fun Group is open to children ages 5-9.

Aside from sports, the bureau offers summer art classes and club activities as well.

“We offer two art classes, a ceramic class and a glass art class through the Chenango County Council of the arts,” said Testani, “We'll also be offering three other classes that I haven't released yet.”

These might include a guitar class and a gaming club. You can find announcements on upcoming classes from the City of Norwich Youth Bureau on its facebook page.

The Youth Bureau also offer free swimming lessons for those age 0-21 each year at the Kurt Beyer Pool.

“We usually get well over 100 kids signing up for our swim lessons,” said Testani.

Several different levels of swimming lessons are offered in two, three-week programs. The swimming lessons are taught by seven levels of Red Cross certified instructions, class size is limited to eight participants, infants must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

“We typically offer five trips each year, free of charge for kids,” said Testani. He said the trips this year include the Roberson Museum, Howe Caverns, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, the Sciencenter, and the Enchanted Forest Water Safari.

The Youth Bureau provides bussing for all of the trips with the exception of one to the water safari. Spots are limited due to costs of bussing, so Testani says he will probably create a wait list for extra sign ups. The trips will most likely be announced in a few weeks.

The City of Norwich Youth Bureau advertises its programming on its facebook page, website, and by sending flyers home with kids from the local schools. You can find the facebook page, the website is www.norwichnewyork.gov/government/youth.php visit their sites to learn more information.

To sign up your child for the activities, you'll find links to forms on the facebook page, and on the flyers given out. According to Testani, on average, 700 kids participate in the combined classes, activities, and trips each summer since he became director four years ago.

“If you don't know much about the Youth Bureau, it's free to these kids, and I really hope people take advantage of those things, our trips, our programs, the different clubs we're going to have. It's be great if kids took advantage of that opportunity,” said Testani.