Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation programs

Registration for all programs takes place at Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills or call (847) 960-7460. Check out the Web site lith.org.

For all

Winter/Spring Brochure: The Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department Winter/Spring Brochure is now available. Program registration began Dec. 4 for residents and will begin Dec. 18 for nonresidents. For your convenience, there are four registration options: online at www.lith.org, mail in, drop box, or walk-in.

Holiday Lights Decorating Contest: Spice up the holidays with lights and other festive decorations! The Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department will be touring all registered Lake in the Hills homes on Thursday, Dec. 18, to determine which the winners of an area restaurant gift certificate. Categories include: Best Overall Display and the "Clark Griswold" Award. Call in your own creation or elect your neighbor's efforts. Free registration accepted via telephone through Dec. 17. Call the Parks & Recreation Department at (847) 960-7460. Only Lake in the Hills homes are eligible.

For adults

Adult Leagues: The Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department is now forming its winter/spring Adult Leagues. Register your team for Men's Winter Basketball, Co-Rec Winter Volleyball, or Adult Co-Rec Spring Softball. Returning teams are given first priority. Games for Winter Leagues begin in mid January. The number of games will be based on the number of teams registered. The mandatory captain's meeting for the winter Co-Rec Volleyball League is on Jan. 7. The mandatory captain's meeting for the winter Basketball League is on Jan. 8. Both meetings are at 6:45 p.m. at the Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate. League fees are due at the captain's meeting. For additional information regarding both winter and spring leagues, call Trevor, at (847) 960-7469, or check out the online brochure at lith.org.

For youth

Preschool: Is your child ready for his/her first "school" experience, but not old enough for preschool? The Parks & Recreation Department of Lake in the Hills has the perfect place for youngsters to learn the skills they'll need to be successful in preschool. The Playschool Academy's 2.5 to 3.5 year old class prepares your little one with socialization skills through songs, crafts, stories, and group games. Playschool Academy is held at the Indian Trail Beach House, 228 Indian Trail, from 11:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., either Tuesdays or Thursdays. Free registration runs until Jan. 2. At the time of registration, bring a copy of your child's birth certificate, copies of up-to-date immunizations, and a recent photo. Monthly tuition of $40 per resident or $50 per nonresident is due on the 15th of the month to cover the next month's tuition. Space is limited; register early.

Note: Instructors cannot change diapers or pull ups.

Sports Galore: The Village of Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department is accepting registration for winter sports beginning in January. Choose from one of our standard programs like volleyball, t-ball/baseball, floor hockey, basketball, martial arts, dance, and lacrosse or check out one of our new programs like indoor skateboarding or rock climbing! For details about your favorite sport, check out our Winter/Spring brochure available online at lith.org.

Christmas Chemistry-Mad Science: Students ages 6 to 12 can join the Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department, along with a real Mad Scientists, to explore exciting chemistry experiments with winter in mind. Make a Forever Snowball, munch on some Endothermic Reindeer Ooze, learn how snowflakes are made, and much more. Class is held in the Village Hall Community Room from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22. Resident fee is $51, nonresident fee is $61.