Butler County is jump starting its summer recreational programs.

County Parks and Recreation has new spring and summer programs at Alameda Park and Butler County Community College in Butler Township.

Jump Start Sports will conduct the five programs, which include soccer, lacrosse and flag football.

Gary Pinkerton, director of county parks and recreation, said in an interview it was time to try something new to fulfill recreation needs for youth.

“It was a way of offering different programs,” Pinkerton said.

He said hiring a company to run the programs saved the cost of hiring additional summer staff.

The county commissioners on Wednesday approved two contracts with Jump Start that divide the revenue generate by entry fees.

Under the first, the company keeps 70 percent of the revenue from the one-day programs and 80 percent for a weeklong program.

n The first program will be Introductory Lacrosse, which will run Thursdays from April 30 through June 4 at the park off West New Castle Road.

Boys and girls ages 7 through 12 learn the fundamentals of the sport, including passing, catching, fielding cradling and defense. The participants will be split by age to play scrimmages.

n The second program will be Hummingbird Soccer, running Wednesdays from May 13 through June 17 at BC3.

Children ages 3 through 6 will learn the basics of soccer, including dribbling, passing, trapping and shooting. Along with drills, participants will play in noncompetitive games.

n Next on tap is T-birds T-ball, which will be Saturdays from May 23 through June 27 at the park.

Children ages 3 through 5 learn such basics as throwing, catching, fielding, batting and base running. They will play in noncompetitive games.

n Flag Football for children ages 5 through 10 runs Tuesdays from June 16 through July 21 at the college. Players will learn the fundamentals of offense and defense.

For children wanting to learn about a variety of sports, there will be the weeklong Olympic Multi-Sports Camp June 22 through 26 at the park.

To register online, visit jumpstartssports.com or the park office off Alameda Park Road.

For information about the programs, including fees, call Jump Start Sports at 724-493-0770 or e-mail to: JYuvan@JumpStartSports.com.