Youth participating in the City of Norwich Youth Bureau soccer last year. This year, available winter programs include bowling, baseball, softball, soccer, cheerleading, junior wrestling, and winter fun club. (Photo from the Youth Bureau Facebook page)

NORWICH — The City of Norwich Youth Bureau is offering several youth winter programs and the time to sign up is near.

The programs are free, and registration is ongoing for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade in the City and Town of Norwich, North Norwich, Pharsalia, Plymouth, and Preston. To sign up, visit the City of Norwich Youth Bureau Facebook page and click the registration link.

This year’s winter programs include soccer, cheerleading, junior wrestling, winter fun club, baseball, bowling, and softball.

City of Norwich Youth Bureau Director Anthony Testani said sign-ups are still open. Most of the programs begin the week of January 8, though wrestling and bowling have already begun. However, the Youth Bureau will accept registration through the duration of the programs.

“It’s a little over a week before our Winter Programs start. If you haven't signed up your child yet, you still can,” said Testani.

Testani said softball, winter fun club, soccer, cheerleading, baseball, bowling, will start this week.

Winter fun club is open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Mondays in the Guernsey Memorial Library Meeting Room. Testani said winter fun club is a group for kids to enjoy crafts, stories, and other fun activities.

Cheerleading for second through fourth graders begins January 8, and will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at Perry Browne Intermediate School. For students in fifth through eighth grade, cheerleading will begin on January 8 and be held every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Perry Browne.

Softball also begins on January 8 for students in third through eighth grade. Practices will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Norwich Soccer Center, located on Maple Street in Norwich.

Youth in third through eighth grade can join soccer, which is held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Norwich Soccer Center. The program begins on January 9.

The baseball program will be held at the Norwich Soccer Center from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays for students in second through fourth grade, and on Thursdays for students in fifth through eighth grade.

The bowling program is open to students in third through eighth grade, and will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at the Norwich Elks Lodge #1222, located on East Main Street in Norwich.

For more information on the City of Norwich Youth Bureau and their programs, visit NorwichNewYork.net/government/youth.php or the City of Norwich Youth Bureau Facebook page, where there is a QR code at the bottom of the page.