RUNNING | Valparaiso

The Kent's Run 5K run/walk will take place on May 24 at 8 a.m., starting and finishing at Boone Grove Middle School in Valparaiso. The race has been established to raise money for the Leukemian and Lymphoma Society and to honor the life of Kent Ribordy, a Boone Grove High School student-athlete, who passed away last June. Online registration is at www.KentsRun.com.

FYI: Call (219) 775-2907.

FLAG FOOTBALL | Portage

The Northwest Indiana Flag Football League will start its outdoor 8-vs.-8 spring session on April 13. Games will be played on a 100-yard field at Portage High School on Sundays. There will be kickoffs, punts and field goads. The cost is $450 per team. Checks should be made payable to Portage Parks Department. Entry deadline is April 5. A captains meeting will be held April 5 at 4 p.m. at the Woodland Park office.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675 or go to leaguelineup.com/NWIFFL.

VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY | Rolling Prairie

The Dunes Operation Center in Rolling Prairie will host the NCAA Spring Volleyball Tournament on Saturday featuring teams from Michigan State, Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, IPFW and Hillsdale College. Play wil begin at 9 a.m.

FYI: Go to dunes@adsnet.com.

INSTRUCTOR NEEDED | Valparaiso

The Courts of Northwest Indiana is looking for a tennis instructor who can work nights and weekends during the spring, and Monday through Thursday mornings during the summer. Experience is a plus.

FYI: Call (219) 465-1111, ext. 5.

COED VOLLEYBALL | Valparaiso

The Portage Township YMCA is offering a Co-ed Volleyball League for ages 14 and above on Monday nights from April 14 through May 19. The format will be six-on-six. The cost is $25 for YMCA Primary Plus members, $35 for Primary members and $70 for others.

FYI: Contact Ryan Penrod at (219) 762-9622 or ryan@ymcaofportage.org.

INDOOR SOCCER | Portage

The Portage Township YMCA is offering an Indoor Soccer League for ages 5-12, who will be divided into three age groups. The program runs from March 31 though May 2. The cost is $20 for YMCA Primary Plus members, $29 for YMCA Primary members and $58 for others.

FYI: Contact Ryan Penrod at (219) 762-9622 or ryan@ymcaofportage.org.

BOATING COURSE | Michigan City

The United States Power Squadron of Michigan City will hold a boating course on April 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at B&E Marine in Michigan City's Washington Park. The cost for text and materials is $40. Families are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 464-3137.

POOL ACTIVITIES | Portage

The Portage Township YMCA will hold a "Tropical Fun at the Y" for ages 2-12 on April 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Portage High School west pool. There will be water games, prizes and raffles. The cost is $2 per child, or $5 per family of three or more. YMCA membership is not required. The YMCA will also host free family swim night at the high school pool on April 2 from 5 to 8:45 p.m. Free family swims are the first Wednesday of every month.

FYI: Conta Sarah Wilkins at (219) 762-9622 or sarah@ymcaofportage.org.

BASEBALL TOURNEYS | Winfield

Winfield Youth Baseball will host an 9-and-under tournament on July 10-13, and a 10-and-under tournament on June 19-20. The cost for either tourney is $325 per team. Players must not breach the age limit before May 1, 2008. The formats will be pool play followed by single-elimination brackets. Discounts will be provided for registration and payment by May 25 (9-U) and April 15 (10-U)

FYI: Call (219) 306-3565.

T'AI CHI CLASSES | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Parks Department will present a new session of T'ai Chi classes with Jack Walker for ages 18 and over at the Banta Center, 605 Beech St., Valparaiso. The Beginner Series will run on Wednesdays, 7 to 8 p.m. from April 2 to May 21. The Intermediate Series will run on Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m. from April 2 to May 21. The Advanced Series will run on Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p.m. from April 1 to May 20. The Senior Series will run on Tuesdays, 6 to 7 p.m. from April 1 to May 6. The Saber Series will run on Wednesdays, 8 to 9 p.m. from April 2 to May 21. The cost per series is $65. The Senior Series is free to Banta Members. Registration is being taken at the Banta Center, or the Valparaiso Park Office, 3210 N. Campbell.

FYI: Call (219) 462-1301 or (219) 462-5144, ext. 301.

SUMMER CAMPS | Valparaiso

Valparaiso High School will hold a variety of sport camps this summer, including football, basketball and swimming.

FYI: Go to valpohighsportscamps.com.

BIKING | Portage

The Outback Challenge, a 10-mile mountain bike race, will take place on May 24 at Imagination Glen Park in Portage. The entry fees are $20 online and $25 the day of the race. Five dollars of the fee goes for a one-day NORBA license.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675 or go to outbacktrail.org.

YOUTH BASEBALL | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Parks Department is accepting registration for Coed T-ball for ages 5-6 and Denim League baseball for ages 7-8 at its office, 3210 N. Campbell. The cost is $35 for residents and $45 for non-residents. Registration deadline is March 27.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5144.

ADULT SOFTBALL | South Haven

The Portage Township Softball League is accepting registration for its men's and women's slowpitch leagues to be played at Fessler Fields in South Haven. Games will begin week of May 5. Upper level men will play on Mondays. Lower level men will play on Wednesdays. Upper and lower level women will play on Tuesdays. The cost for the 16-game-plus-tourney season is $425 per team on or before April 19, $450 after.

FYI: Call (219) 464-5237 or merel.nelson@valpo.edu.

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT | South Bend

North American Youth Sports will hold their annual spring basketball tournaments at Bethel College in the South Bend area on April 11-13 for players grades 5-12. Divisions will be seperated by grade and gender. Registration and entry fee of $100 per team is due by March 21.

FYI: Call (866) 352-5915

VOLLEYBALL CLUB | Region

The Dunes Volleyball Club will be offering a second session for local players. Teams will practice out of the Dunes Operation Center, Crown Point High School or Merrillville Pierce Middle School. The session will start the first week of April and run to the beginning of June. The cost is $100 for players who playing in the club's first session, and $150 for new players. All tournament play will have an additional charge.

FYI: E-mail dunes@adsnet.com.

SOFTBALL TOURNEY | Crown Point

SpondO's/Circle's Bud will hold a men's slowpitch softball tournament on April 19 -- April 20 if necessary -- at the Crown Point men's softball fields. The entry fee is $200. Games will be played under ASA rules, 1-1 count and four-home run limit. Teams supply their own balls -- no better than 47 core. Deadline for the entry fee is April 16. Drawing will take place the same day at SpondO's at 7 p.m. Team representative need not be present.

FYI: Call Brian Swisher at (219) 406-7021.

BASKETBALL TOURNEY | Valparaiso

Valparaiso High School will host a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to benefit "Dollars for Scholars" on April 19. The boys and girls divisions are 8-and-under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18 and 20-and-over. The registration fee is $100 per team. The entry fee is April 5.

FYI: Call Mike at (219) 465-0763.

BASKETBALL CAMPS | Valparaiso

Coach Jerry Bechtold will hold a basketball clinic for boys and girls in grade K-2, and a developmental league for boys and girls in grades 3-4 starting on April 5 at the Courts of Northwest Indiana in Valparaiso. Both are eight-week classes and cost $100 per person.

FYI: Call (219) 465-1111 or go to thecourtsofnwi.com.

BASEBALL TOURNEY | Munster

Munster Little League will host a 9-and-under baseball tournament over the Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, at Community Park.

FYI: Contact Mike Madura at (219) 742-5901 or mmadura8@cs.com, or go to munsterlittleleague.com/tourney.htm.

GIRLS BASKETBALL | Hobart

Hobart Junior Hoops is hosting two girls basketball tournaments on March 29 for teams in grades 3 and 4 on March 29 at Hobart Middle School. The cost is $180 per team. There will be a three-game guarantee.

FYI: Call Ron at (219) 616-7166 or go to hoops@hobartjrhoops.com.

GOLF CLINICS | Valparaiso

Creekside Golf Course and Training Center clinics for March all feature LPGA Teaching Professional Nancy Bender.

LADIES CLINICS -- For Ladies Only (FLO) golf clinics and held on Mondays from 9-10 a.m. for ladies who wish to "focus-in" on one aspect of their game that needs perfecting and include the following sessions: Putting Expertise (March 31).

ADULT CLINICS -- The one-hour Adult Clinics are held on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. and include the following sessions: Woods: Tee and Fairway (March 26), Solid Contact with Irons (March 29).

Fees Per Session: Ladies -- $15; Adult -- $15.

FYI: Call (219) 531-7888.

GIRLS BASKETBALL | Valparaiso

Valparaiso will host its annual Green and White middle school basketball tournament on April 12-13 at Ben Franklin Middle School for 7th grade (13U) and 8th grade (14U) girls. Teams are guaranteed a minimum of 4 games, and there will be free contests including free throw and 3-point competitions. Awards will be given to winners in each division. Cost is $250per eam ($200 per team for multiple team entries). Entry forms are available at Blythe's Sporting Goods in Valparaiso, and can be returned there or to Viking AAU c/o Mr. Steve Osburn, Athletic Director Ben Franklin Middle School, 605 Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN, 46385.

FYI: Call (219) 771-8781.

ADULT SOFTBALL | Portage

The Portage Park Department is accepting registration for the adult (ages 18 & up) summer softball leagues which start on April 28 at Imagination Glen Park, McCool Rd., Portage. Teams will play a 20-game schedule and will be seperated into one of four divisions, with lower division playing on Modays, middle division on Tuesdays, upper division on Wednesdays and co-ed teams on Thursdays. Cost is $500/team ($550 after Apr. 12). Individual players interested in signing up will recieve help finding a team.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMPS | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso University women's basketball teams will be holding camps a variety of camps this June and July.

Camp schedule is Skills Day I and Varsity Prep Camps June 23-26, Elite Camp June 24, Team Camp June 27-28, and Skill Day Camp II July 21-24.

The Skills Day Camps are designed for girls grades 2-8 to develop their fundamental skills and will include daily competitions and a written evaluation at the conclusion of the camp.

Varsity Prep Camp is new this year and is designed for serious high school athletes who want/need to improve their skills as well as game situation preparedness.

Elite Camp is a teaching and competition camp for players grades 10-12 with successful varsity experience.

Team Camp is designed for varsity or JV teams and their coaches.

FYI: Contact Marla Liesch at (219) 464-5146 or marla.liesch@valpo.edu.

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT | Merrillville

The Region "Rock Toss" Showcase tournament will be held May 16-18 for boys and girls basketball teams ages under 14-under 19. Entry fee of $350 per team guarantees a minimum of five games and is due with registration by May 1.

FYI: Contact Ben Porter at (219) 476-7740 or spibporter@hotmail.com.

BASEBALL | Region

The Indiana Nitroz 11-and-under baseball team is having tryouts for the 2008 season. Players cannot by 12 years old before May 1, 2008.

FYI: Call Dewey Lemley (219) 406-3797.

SOCCER | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso women's soccer team is holding an all-ages camp this summer at Eastgate Soccer Fields from June 24-26.

The High School Camp "Valpo Identification Program" is for girls ages 14-18. The camp is designed to train individuals in technical and tactical aspects of their game. Training sessions will be held in the morning and evening. Afternoon seminars will include coach guided self-training and recruiting lectures.

The Crusaders Youth Skills Camp is for girls ages 7-13. The camp will run from 5:30-8 p.m. and is designed to refine each player's technical skills.

The Little Crusaders Camp is for boys and girls ages 4-6. The camp will run from 6-7 p.m and serve as an introduction to the game for young players.

FYI: Contact John Marovich in the women's soccer office at (219) 464-5041 or John.Marovich@valpo.edu. Information and registration is also available online at www.valposoccervip.com.

SELF DEFENSE | Valparaiso

Corral's Martial Arts will hold an "End of Sexual Violence Day" free self-defense seminar on April 5 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at its Valparaiso location, 265 Morthland Dr. (Rt. 30/Rt. 2 intersection).

FYI: Call (219) 688-7363 or go to teamcorral.com.

BASKETBALL CAMPS | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso men's basketball team will host four basketball camps this summer staffed by Crusaders' players and coaching staff for youths of various age and skill levels. The One-Day Elite Camp, for high level players grades 9-12, will be held on June 14 from 1-4:30 p.m. and will include advanced instruction, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play, skill testing and an NCAA seminar. Cost is $30 per person. The Valpo Mini Camp and Valpo Basketball School programs will run from June 16-19. The Mini Camp, for children ages 5-7, will run from 9-11:30 a.m. and will feature daily contests and games. Cost is $110 per person. The Basketball School, for children ages 8-14, will run from 9 a.m. tp noon and will include daily lectures/teaching sessions, fundamental stations, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play, and daily contests and prizes. Cost is $160/person. The Valpo Basketball Academy, for ages 8-14, will take place July 28-Aug. 1 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day and will include similar activities as the Basketball

School camp.

FYI: Call (219) 464-5254.

COURTS OF NWI PROGRAMS | Valparaiso

VOLLEYBALL CLASSES -- Coach Michelle Salomon will be instructing two volleyball classes on Monday nights starting on April 14. Class for grades 4-6 is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and costs $90 per person; grades 7-9 is from 6:30-7:45 p.m. and costs $110/person.

YOUTH BOYS BASKETBALL -- Registration is open for boys grades 4-8 interested in playing in a competitive basketball.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL -- The spring basketball league for high school boys will begin on April 6 with games played on Sundays. Players can sign up until Mar. 31 at a cost of $70/individual or $450/team. Participants are guaranteed 8 games plus a league tournament. Individual competitions will also take place.

FYI: Call (219) 465-1111.

FIELDHOUSE AVAILABILITY | Portage

The fieldhouse and fitness rooms at Portage High School will be available to the community and employees on Mondays-Fridays from 5:30-7 a.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. during the month of March.

VOLLEYBALL CAMP | Valparaiso

Valparaiso University head volleyball coach Carin Avery and the Crusader volleyball team will host a summer camp for youths grades 6-12 at the Athletics-Recreation Central from July 7-10. The camp offers a strong emphasis on fundamental volleyball skill improvement. Groups will be divided according to ability. Evening sessions incorporate competitive drills and games leading to the Tournament of Champions.

FYI: Carin Avery (219) 464-5323, carin.avery@valpo.edu or www.valpovolleyballcamp.com

SOCCER CAMPS | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso University men's soccer coach Mike Avery will host two Vaparaiso Identification Program (VIP) soccer camps for high school age players with serious aspirations to play college soccer on June 16-18 and July 21-23. The camps will feature high-level technical and tactical training as well as immediate feedback presented in both written form and in individual counseling sessions with the coaching staff. Space is limited to ensure that each player gets the individuals attention needed.

BASKETBALL CAMP | Champaign, IL

Applications are now being evaluated for the Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camps open to boys and girls ages 10-19. Past participants include Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Grant Hill and Antawn Jamison. Players from 50 states and 10 foreign countries attended the 2007 camps. Players have a chance to earn college scholarships if selected to the All-American Team. There will also be a camp for boys and girls ages 6-18 of all skill levels.

FYI: Call (704) 373-0873 or go to www.tenstarcamp.com.

ADULT DODGEBALL | Portage

Portage Parks will hold a dodgeball tournament at 1 p.m. May 24 in the Oakwood Grand Hall at Woodland Park. The tournament is open to ages 15 and up (participant under 18 must have a parent's signed release) and teams can be male, female or co-ed. Cost is $30/team. Roster forms are available online or at the Parks' Office, 2100 Willowcreek Rd.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675 or go to www.ci.portage.in.us/parks.

YOUTH SOCCER | Portage

Registration is open for the Portage Parks' spring youth soccer leagues open to boys and girls ages 3-14. The season will begin on May 3 at Imagination Glen Park. Registration and cost of $40/resident ($45/non-resident) is due Friday. Volunteer coaches are needed as well. Training and coaching clinics will be available so no experience is necessary.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

CHEERLEADING CLASS | Portage

Portage Parks has partnered with Young Champions to provide weekly cheerleading class at Woodand Park for boys and girls on Mondays through June 9. Classes, open to ages 4-15, will teach youths choreographed pom-pon and dance routines as well popular cheers, chants, jumps, stunts, kicks and other skills required for school tryouts. Participants will perform in specials events throughout the program. Cost for each class is $7 per person.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

YOUTH TENNIS | Valparaiso

The Courts of NWI will host youth tennis tournaments on April 4-6 for boys. Divisions available are 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U. Cost is $30/person and includes a t-shirt.

FYI: Call Traci at (219) 465-1111, ext. 5

RUNNING | LaPorte

The LaPorte YMCA Run will take place March 29 at 9 a.m. at Soldiers Memorial Park in LaPorte. The event includes a competitive 10K run and a 5K fun run/walk. The entry fee is $22 for the 10K, $17 for the 5K. Entry forms are availabel at the LaPorte Family YMCA, 901 Michigan Ave., LaPorte-area Wells Fargo locations or online at www.lpymca.org. Online registration is available at www.active.com.

FYI: Contack Mark Schreiber at (219) 325-9622 or mschreiber@lpymca.org.

YOUTH SOCCER | Valparaiso

Lady Viking Soccer is accepting registration for girls in grades 3-12. Youth games are played on Saturdays from at Westside Park, and middle and high school games are played Saturdays and Wednesday evenings at Westside and Fairgrounds. The season runs from April 5 through May 17. Registration is $60 for returning players with a uniform, and $80 for new players or returning players who need uniforms. Online registration is available at ladyvikingsoccer.org.

FYI: Call Joe at (219) 464-8061.

BASKETBALL OFFICIALS NEEDED | Valparaiso

The Courts of NWI is looking for licensed officials to work youth and adult basketball games.

FYI: Call Hank at (219) 465-1111, ext. 2.

INDOOR 3-D SHOOTS | Valparaiso

Deep River Bowmen, State Road 149 and County Road 600 N, will be holding 3-D shoot nights on Saturdays at 7 p.m. from Jan.-Apr. The shoots will include 10 3-D targets and 19 NFAA Animal Targets. Cost for each night is $7/member ($10/non-member).

FYI: Call Mitch Peters at (219) 926-6048.

KARATE LESSONS | Portage

Portage Parks and Fighting Arts Dojo Family Karate are holding ongoing martial arts classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Portage Yacht Club. The sessions are led by Grandmasters George Dilman and Bill Homann who teach a blend of Shuri-Ryu and Ryu-Kyu Kempo styles with a primary emphasis on self defense. Sessions start run from 5:15-6 p.m. for ages 4-7, 6-7 p.m. for ages 8-12, and 7-8 p.m. for ages 13 and up. Registration is due by the first Monday of each month. Cost for each month is $60/person, $50/second family member and $40/each additional family member.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

PARKS PROGRAMS | Portage

AT WOODLAND PARK:

CHEERLEADING -- Portage Parks and Young Champions will host weekly cheerleading classes for girls and boys on Mondays through June 9. Classes for ages 4-15 will include learning choreographed pop-pom and dance routines as well as popular chants, jumps, stunts and kicks required for school tryouts. Cost is $7/class.

GYM RENTAL | Porter County

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County are available for rental use during non-operating hours. Each club, with locations in Valparaiso (354 W. Jefferson St.), South Haven (723 Long Run Rd.) and Portage (5895 Evergreen), has two gyms, game room, kitchen and lounge.

FYI: Call (219) 462-2182 (Valparaiso), (219) 759-2565 (South Haven) or (219) 762-4613 (Portage).

YOGA CLASSES | Portage

The Portage YMCA holds yoga classes every Monday and Wednesday in the upstairs room at 7 p.m. In these classes instructor Kate Schlobohm will teach teens and adults yoga and other techniques designed to stretch and strengthen muscles and relieve stress. Cost per month is $25/primary plus member, $30/primary member and $50/non-member; cost for individual classes is $10/person.

FYI: Contact Linda Mendez at (219) 762-YMCA (9622) or linda@ymcaofportage.ort, or go to www.ymcaofportage.org.