SNOW HILL – Worcester County Recreation and Parks will host a youth basketball program in Berlin following approval from municipal officials.
On Monday, the Berlin Town Council approved plans for a summer youth basketball league for Henry Park presented by Worcester County Recreation and Parks.
“The need for basketball in our community is great,” Councilman Elroy Brittingham said.
Worcester County Recreation and Parks’ Myro Small told town leaders the county wanted to host an eight-week basketball program at the Town of Berlin’s Henry Park on Flower Street. He said the program would take place on Saturdays from June 8 to July 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is for students in grades 4-12.
“With the summer youth basketball program, we’re providing the kids of Berlin the opportunity to have a summer league and not have to drive down to Snow Hill where our department is located and where we usually hold our summer league,” Small said. “We’re actually bringing it to the kids in the town.”
When asked if he expected good participation, Small said he did.
“We’ve been getting a lot of calls and demands from the parents of Berlin to offer something up in the northern end,” he said. “This is us reaching out to those parents.”
Brittingham pointed out that Small, who will manage the basketball program, grew up on Flower Street and was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School.
Mary Bohlen, the town’s administrative services director, explained that because the program charged a $35 fee to participants it did require approval from the council. Small said that the fee offset the staff time spent on the program. He added that his department did provide financial assistance for families who couldn’t afford the $35 registration.
“We provide financial aid for the kids who aren’t capable of paying the $35 which would reduce the $35 by 60 percent,” Small said, adding that the reduced cost would be about $14 for the eight-week program.
Bohlen said that the town’s parks commission had given its support to the proposed program but suggested Small add the information regarding financial assistance to the flyers advertising the program.
The council voted unanimously to approve the summer basketball league. For more information on the program contact Small at 410-632-2144 or email [email protected].
