So Many Parks and Recreation Programs To Choose From

New Time for Soccercise

The Berlin Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for Soccer Madness Soccercise program for girls and boys 3 ½ to 5 years old (age determined by first day of class). Come explore a combination of soccer and exercise. 

Learn basic soccer skills through unique games and fun activities. Parents are welcome to participate in the fun and games with the children. Parents that do participate must sign their name to the release agreement on their child’s registration form. All children will receive a t shirt and ball for participating. Please indicate t-shirt size on registration form.  

Dino Rocco former Newington High School Girl’s Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach will conduct the program. The program will be held at the Berlin Community Center, multi-purpose room, is one hour long and meets twice a week for 6 weeks. The minimum number of participants is eight or more and the maximum class size is fifteen. Fee for residents will be $85 and for non residents $95. Deadline to register is January 25. Class is held Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. from February 4-March 20. No class February 18 or 20. 

Babysitting Course

The Berlin Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for the Red Cross Babysitting course for youths 11 years old and up.  The program  will help prepare students to supervise children in the absence of parents or guardians.

This course offers the youths the opportunity to develop skills in leadership and professionalism, learn how to take care of children from infants up to school age, child development, basic care, simple cooking and crafts, safety, safe play and first aid. 

Students will receive a babysitting manual and a certificate (upon successfully completing the course). Babysitting Instructor: Terri Noyes. Fee for residents is $55 and non residents $65. Class will be held at the Berlin Community Center.

• Class 1: Tuesdays, January 8 and 15 5 to 8:15 p.m. 
• Class 2: Wednesdays, February 6 and 13 5 to 8:15 p.m.
• Class 3: Tuesday, February 19 and Wednesday, February 20 5 to 8:15 p.m.

Let’s Get Moving with the Park and Recreation Department

Turn off the TV and get moving. Join the Berlin Park and Recreation Department for programs that will get your child moving, creating and discovering the wonderful world around them.

Fit Toddlers - For 2&3 year olds (age determined by first day of class). 8 week class includes parachute games, obstacle courses, games and much more create a playful environment for your toddler. Classes meet Tuesdays 9:30-10:15 a.m. or Fridays at 9:30-10:15 a.m. or 10:30-11:15 a.m. All classes start the week of January 7. When you register you must register for one time slot and attend that class only. 

Sports Jam – For 4&5 year olds (age determined by first day of class) – Develop pre-sport skills and team participation in this class created for the child with lots of energy.  Soccer, baseball, kickball, basketball and many other sport skills will be incorporated into games and activities. Classes meet Tuesdays 10:30-11:15 a.m. or Thursdays 10:00-10:45 a.m. Classes start the week of January 7. When you register you must register for one time slot and attend that class only. 

Exploring Dance – Will be held on Fridays from 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.  Children 3-5 years old  will experience the enjoyment of ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling through creative movement during this 30 minute, 8 week class. Classes start on January 11.

Dance Beginnings  – Will be held on Friday’s from 4:30 – 5 p.m. Children 5-7 years of age will discover and create dances while learning the elements of ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling during this 30 minute, 8 week class. Classes start on January 11.                                               

Arts Discovery – An exciting introduction to the arts, for 3-6 year olds! Dance & movement, music & rhythm, arts & crafts and acting & stories will be part of this new program.  Creative, developmentally appropriate activities centered around the “theme of the day”.  Please bring a water bottle. Arts Discovery will be held on Wednesdays starting January  9 or Thursdays starting January 10 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

For hundreds of thousands of families worldwide, Music Together is children and their grownups joyfully sharing songs, rhymes, movement, and instrument play, both in music class and in their daily lives.  Music Together is a research based, developmentally appropriate music curriculum for children ages 0-5 years that encourages adult involvement and strongly emphasizes actual music experiences rather than concepts about music. We believe music ability is as much a basic life skill as walking and talking. All children from a very young age can learn to sing in tune and keep a beat. 

Our goal is to nurture the child's natural enthusiasm for music and movement by playfully introducing them to making music themselves. And with Music Together, the learning continues beyond the classroom! Families receive a professionally recorded CD and illustrated songbook filled with music making ideas to inspire and support music-making in their daily lives. The 10 week class begins Thursday, January 10 thru March 14. Class time is from 9:30-10:15 a.m.  Classes are offered through Circle of Friends and Erin Roche is the instructor.  For more information contact Erin at (860) 839-2511 or erin_s_song@yahoo.com  

Karate – Little Ninja’s, ages 4-6.  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:45-5:30 p.m. for 8 weeks, starting January 8. Fee includes a free uniform and  awards ceremony. Held at First Class Martial Arts and Fitness, 158 Mill St., Berlin, CT.  Prior registrants not eligible to register.  Deadline to register is January 3

Karate – Beginners, ages 7-12. Mondays 5:30-6:15 p.m. and Wednesdays, 4:45-5:30 p.m. for 8 weeks, starts January 7. Fee includes a free uniform and awards ceremony.  Held at First Class Martial Arts and Fitness, 158 Mill St.,Prior registrants not eligible to register. Deadline to register is January 3.

Crafty Kids – For ages Preschool -5 years. Come join us for some morning fun making arts and crafts. Your children will enjoy a story, craft and fun each class.  Limit 8 children. Classes will be held on Mondays from 9:30-10:15 a.m. starting on January 7.   

Art for Two – Parent/Child art class, Winter– Come make a snowman themed craft with your kids in grades K-5 on Saturday, January 12 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Me and My Dad

The Park and Recreation Department is offering this new program Me and My Dad  where children 3 & 4 year olds ( age determined by first c lass)  will get together with their Dad on Saturday mornings at the Berlin Community Center from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. starting on January 5 for 8 classes.  Stephen Bennett with his son Gavin will be leading the class.  Each class will be filled with fun activities and games