FORESTVILLE — The Hanover Youth Recreation basketball program is in full swing, running Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until April 2 for boys and girls in grades two through six. Students from both Forestville and Silver Creek are welcome to participate, and Forestville school board member Andrea Spengler said the turnout has been strong.

“We have had an incredible turnout this year,” Spengler said. “We approximately have 125 students signed up, which is the most we’ve ever had.”

Of those 125, about 50 come from Forestville, while the rest come from Silver Creek, but all are excited to be participating in something. Spengler had a lot of praise for new coach and director Kaitlin Gage, who has been a welcome addition to the program.

“She’s done a great job running the program,” Spengler said. “She’s very good and very knowledgeable and she’s also very engaging with the kids.”

There are also two assistant coaches, Wayne Hartloff and Amanda Weaver, who both graduated from Forestville as part of the Class of 2014, and have each helped out with the program in the past.

“They’re doing a great job,” she said. “I want to thank them for their time and dedication to the program. It is a lot to organize.”

Spengler also said that they have the help of several volunteers, including parents from both districts, as well as Tom Dempsey, a math teacher at Forestville, who also served as the boys’ varsity basketball coach this season. “He has volunteered to help at the program,” said Spengler.

“He’s bringing tons of experience and knowledge and he’s also been very helpful in recruiting several student athletes from the boys and girls’ teams at Forestville and they’ve all done an amazing job. … This certainly would not be possible without the help of the volunteers.”

Spengler said those kids volunteering to help have meant a lot to the participating kids, and vice versa, as each has gotten a valuable experience out of the program.

“The kids really respond well to the older kids,” said Spengler. “And it’s been really good for the older kids to help out the younger kids.”

Spengler also gave special thanks to Forestville Athletic Director Scott Hazelton and Director of Facilities Jim Knoop, who have each been huge supporters of the program as well. And with all the thanks to the volunteers, Spengler said the entire experience is giving the kids a welcomed positive experience.

“This has been a really positive experience for our students and a much-needed positive experience,” he said. “Now that the masks are optional, it’s been so nice to see the kids’ faces. They’re smiling and happy and the joy on their faces watching them learn and play basketball has been wonderful. … The kids are so excited when they come in and when they leave, they’ve had a great time. They’re super excited and happy to be doing something.”

Spengler said there are many ideas to add other programs to this, whether they be six-week programs like basketball, or one day programs, like a cheer program they recently ran. There are also different locations these programs could be held at to better incorporate the Silver Creek and Forestville communities, including Hanover Town Park, the outdoor basketball court in Forestville, and a couple other options. No matter the direction, the Hanover Youth Recreation program is giving kids in communities all through the town a chance to be active.