By Jordan Schachterle

The Surveyor

Winter has been moving by quickly and, with spring just around the corner, that means a new season of programs for the Berthoud Parks and Recreation Department.

Four different youth soccer programs will be available this spring. Little Strikers will be available for 3- and 4-year-olds who are looking to learn the basics of soccer. During the six-week program, the kids will learn the fundamentals and some of the basic rules, but most importantly they will learn the fun of soccer.

For 5- and 6-year-olds as well as for 7- and 8-year-olds, co-ed leagues will be available. The league allows players to develop fundamentals and learn to play the game in a safe and fun environment. Teams practice up to two times a week and will play their six games on Saturday mornings at Pioneer Park.

The Berthoud Parks and Recreation and Thompson Rivers Parks and Recreation have teamed up to form a soccer league for children ages 9 through 12. This league will be played in Berthoud, Windsor and Milliken and will also be a co-ed league.

Both boys and girls aged 13 and 14 will be able to play in a recreational soccer league through the Fort Collins Soccer Club. The league is perfect for athletes who are not quite ready to play at a competitive level but would like to develop their skills.

In addition to soccer, two youth football programs will also be available. For those between 3 and 5 years old, the Little Lombardi’s program is a great way to introduce young kids to football. Throughout the six-week program, the participants will learn basic football skills and be able to interact with other kids their age.

Berthoud Parks and Rec is also offering two flag-football leagues for kids ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 11. The teams in the league will practice up to two times a week and play their games at Bein North and South baseball fields. Participants will get the chance to play one or two games “under the lights” on Thursday evenings but will play the remainder of their games on Saturday mornings.

Eight-and-under, 10-and-under, 12-and-under, and 14-and-under youth softball leagues will be available starting in March. Berthoud Recreation teams play in the Indian Peaks Softball League which is comprised of recreation teams around Northern Colorado.

Two sessions of martial arts classes will be available this spring for both the youth and adults of Berthoud. Students in the class learn many different hand and foot techniques from certified black-belt instructors.

Anyone 12 years or older can participate in the pickleball program held at the Fickel Park tennis court on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for six weeks. The pick-up-style program welcomes everyone from beginners to those who are very experienced.

This spring Berthoud Recreation is offering five programs for anyone 16 or older.

On Wednesday evenings at Tuner Middle School, the women’s volleyball league will be played. Each team will play eight games during the regular season and will close the season with a single-elimination tournament.

Drop-in co-ed volleyball will also be available for individuals on Tuesday nights. The games will be pick-up style and players will split themselves up into teams and call their own matches.

On Sunday evenings spring adult co-ed softball games will be held at Bein Park baseball fields. The season will be a tune-up before the main summer league starts, and each team will get to play six games. The team with the most wins will be named champions and receive a prize.

The spring co-ed kickball league will consist of a seven-game season. All games will be played on Friday nights at Bein Park baseball fields, and the team who wins the most games will be named the champions.

On Saturday, March 23, the community will be able to participate in an adult co-ed dodgeball tournament. The teams, which consist of six to eight players, have a three-game guaranty in the tournament. The winning team will be given a prize and named champions.

Registration for spring programs begins on Feb. 1 for any participants interested. The Berthoud Recreation Department will be extending their office hours to 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. for the duration of  February for registration purposes.

Participants can also register for spring programs on the new and improved recreation website www.teamsideline.com/berthoud.

The website is just one of the modern changes and improvements Steve Hensley, Berthoud’s new recreation supervisor, hopes to bring to the department in the coming months.

“I work for big cities,” Hensley said, “I wanted to be able to bring that big-city format into the small town and incorporate it in to the way big parks and rec departments work.”

He has created a new e-newsletter regarding the Berthoud Recreation Department which will be sent out once a month. If you would like to receive the newsletter, call 970-532-1600 to be put on the mailing list.

Berthoud residents also can expect a new style of program brochure in their mailboxes for the summer season.