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General Information
Howard County Recreation & Parks Headquarters
Contact Information
Seasonal Activity / Camp Guides
Program Registration
Filled Programs
Canceled Classes
Financial Assistance
Scholarship Fund
Refunds
Inclement Weather/Program Status
Snack Policy
Rules of Conduct
Accommodations for People with Disabilities
Other Policies
Public Meetings
Contact Information
Mailing Address: Howard County Recreation and Parks, 7120 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia, MD 21046-1677
General Information: 410-313-4700
Registration: 410-313-PARK
For a detailed directory visit Contact Us.
Seasonal Activity / Camp Guides
Upcoming guides will be mailed and available online:
- Winter 2010 - First week in December. County residents may register online Dec. 4 at 6pm and by all other methods Dec. 5. Out-of-County residents may register online on Dec. 11 at 6pm and by all other methods Dec. 12.
- Summer Camps 2010 - First week in February. County residents may register online Feb. 3 at 6pm and by all other methods beginning Feb. 4. Out-of-County residents may register online Feb. 10 at 6pm and by all other methods beginning Feb 11.
- Spring/Summer 2010
- First week in March. County residents may register online Mar. 4 at 6pm and by all other methods Mar. 5. Out-of-County residents may register online Mar. 11 at 6pm and by all other methods Mar. 12.
Copies are also available at Recreation and Parks Headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, 21046 and at county libraries. Or you can click here for downloadable versions.
Program Registration
Unless a program listing states otherwise, you must be registered to participate. Instructors will not collect fees other than those specifically stated in the listing. We make every effort to process registrations in the order received. For more information on registration, click here. Top
Filled Programs
Space is limited in most activities; early registration is advised. If a program is filled when we receive your registration, we will contact you; you may then select an alternate program or place your name on a waiting list. There is no fee to be on a waiting list.
Canceled Classes
Register early! We don't like to cancel classes but each one must meet its minimum enrollment. Don't be disappointed, register early and bring a friend! Programs may also be canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, such as loss of instructor or location. If a program is canceled, you will be contacted immediately and a full refund credited.
Financial Assistance
The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks can provide limited financial assistance to Howard County residents who qualify. In addition to a completed application, you must provide one of the following:
- Proof of assistance from the Department of Social Services or
- Verification of qualifying income level
Funds are limited, and a deposit of 25% of the program fee is required at least one month prior to start date with the application/registration form. Call 410-313-4659 for additional information and guidelines.
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Scholarship Fund
You can now make a tax-deductible contribution to our Scholarship Fund by registering in program #0054. There are six donation levels. For more information, visit our online registration site and select the category "Scholarship." You can also make a contribution by adding the program number to your registration form or mentioning the contribution when you register by telephone.
Refunds
It is the policy of this department to promote customer satisfaction for all programs and services. We recognize that you may wish to withdraw for a variety of reasons, but our policy encourages early decisions so as to not affect other customers or our ability to deliver the programs efficiently. At a minimum, all refund requests are subject to a 20% administrative fee. For 2009 summer camps, this fee will not exceed $25 if requested on or before April 15. Additional fees may be assessed to recover costs associated with the program. Class and camp programs require at least two weeks advance withdrawal to avoid the additional fees. Trip refunds may reflect pre-paid admissions, but the option to transfer your ticket may be considered. Competitive sport program time frames for refunds reflect planning time and team selections; check refund details on website.
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Inclement Weather/Program Status
We strive to operate our programs regardless of weather - canceling is a last resort. However:
- While most programs will be held despite the weather, schedules and drop-off points may change.
- Should lightning be a factor, outdoor activities may be moved indoors.
- If a snow emergency is declared in Howard County, programs may be closed early or canceled.
- If schools are closed or dismissed early due to inclement weather or if the Board of Education suspends after-school activities, Recreation and Parks programs in schools may be affected.
In the event of inclement weather, call the Inclement Weather/Program Status numbers for up-to-date information. You should check with your instructor about make-up dates for canceled sessions.
Snack Policy
Many of our children's activities request that you supply a snack or lunch. Due to health concerns, nut products are neither served nor permitted.
Rules of Conduct
The following rules must be observed while participating in Recreation and Parks programs. Specific rules may be added for individual programs and needs. - No food or beverages in unauthorized areas; glass containers are prohibited;
- No smoking in buildings or on school property;
- No soliciting or loitering;
- No interference with employee or volunteer duties;
- No harassment or inappropriate or indecent conduct or language;
- No unauthorized use of illegal drugs, intoxicants or weapons;
- No parking in unauthorized areas or driving/parking on field areas;
- No unauthorized alteration or installation of equipment;
- No defacing of property;
- No conduct that may jeopardize the safety of others.
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Accommodations for People with Disabilities
The Department of Recreation and Parks is a recognized leader in opportunities for individuals with disabilities and is pleased to comply with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) regulations. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to register for general recreation programs. With your registration, please include information regarding your disability and any accommodations needed. We will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations on an individual basis. Interpretive services are available for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities. These and other accommodations can be provided to Howard County residents at no additional cost. To assure the best experience for all participants, we need your accommodation request along with your registration a minimum of two weeks in advance of the first camp day. For more information, call Amy Patton at 410-313-4708. For additional information call 410-313-4628 or e-mail spotts@howardcountymd.gov.
Other Policies
All activities contain certain inherent risks that each participant assumes. Due to the strenuous nature of some activities, registrants are urged to consult their physicians concerning fitness to participate. Registrants in many programs will be required to sign an Agreement to Participate form at the first class meeting. The purpose of this form is to ensure that participants willingly share responsibility for their own safety. A fee may be assessed for children not picked up at the close of the program. Neither school/facility staff nor program leaders are responsible for your children before or after scheduled recreation programs. It is your responsibility to take your child to the leader and pick up your child from the leader immediately after the program ends. In addition, the Department reserves the right to: - cancel a program for any reasonable cause;
- deny registration or entry into a program when it deems necessary to assure public safety;
- suspend a child from a program, with no refund, after notifying a parent of disciplinary problems;
- photograph programs, participants and volunteers for publicity purposes; and
- adjust any program details listed on any Howard County Recreation and Parks web page or publications, including fees, locations, instructors, times, days, and starting dates.
Public Meetings
For information about Howard County Recreation and Parks Board meetings, call 410-313-4640. Your comments are welcome at these sessions.
Park Board members are: Chair, Mr. David Grabowski; Vice-Chair, Mr. Tony Brudis; Executive Secretary, Mr. Gary J. Arthur; and Mr. Lowell W. Adams, Mr. Herman Charity, Mr. Chuck Parvis and Dr. Janet Siddiqui.
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