March 18, 2007
Overview -- Here is a list of some county agencies, facilities and groups involved in athletics and recreation. Many groups maintain Web sites, and some use them exclusively to field inquiries.
Agencies:
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks -- The agency has the best overview of the county's competitive sports scene. It produces seasonal listings of activities, sports, trips, classes and youth camps. Headquarters: 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia. 410-313-4700. www.howardcoun tymd.gov/RAP. Most adult team sports in the county are organized through the department. Some youth teams use the department for registration. For sports information: www.hcrpsports.com.
Columbia Park and Recreation Association (CA) -- CA is supported by mandatory annual charges on Columbia property owners and user fees. It operates, for fees, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a mini-waterpark, three tennis clubs, an ice-skating rink, three athletic clubs, two 18-hole golf courses, a miniature golf course, a skateboard park and a horse center. It also runs camps and maintains playgrounds and miles of pathways. People who live or work full-time on properties assessed an annual charge receive discounted memberships or fees at CA facilities. Others also can join, for higher fees. Fees vary by facility. Headquarters: 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia. 410-715-3000. www.col umbiaassociation.com.
Independent Youth Sports Groups
Overview -- Several community-oriented groups offer multiple sports for children. Because of blurred boundaries and other considerations, participants are allowed from outside their primary communities.
Elkridge Youth Organization -- Offers soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. Serves the northeastern portion of the county. www.eyosports.org.
Howard County Youth Program -- Offers baseball, softball, volleyball and basketball. It uses Kiwanis-Wallas Park, a multiple-field facility for baseball and softball, at U.S. 40 and Route 144 on the western edge of Ellicott City. Draws primarily from Ellicott City. www.hcyp.org.
Savage Boys and Girls Club -- Offers soccer, flag football, basketball, baseball and softball and serves communities in the southern and southeastern portion of the county. 301-604-8308. www.savagebgc.org.
County Department of Recreation and Parks youth leagues -- Offers baseball, basketball, hockey, football, lacrosse, rugby, ultimate disc and wrestling. 410-313-4700. www.hcrpsports.com.
Special Olympics, Howard County -- Offers multiple sports from aquatics to volleyball for children and adults with mental retardation or closely related developmental disabilities. 410-740-0500. www.somdhc.org.
Baseball
Atholton Youth Recreation Association -- Offers recreation and travel levels. Primarily serves south-central parts of Columbia and southern part of the county. 301-776-AYRA, www.ayra.com.
Elkridge Youth Organization -- Recreation and travel levels. Primarily serves northeast portion of the county. www.eyosports.org.
Howard County Youth Program -- Recreation and travel levels. Baseball and softball. Primarily serves Ellicott City. www.hcyp.org.
Savage Boys and Girls Club -- Recreation and travel baseball and softball levels. Primarily serves southeastern part of the county. 301-604-8308. www.savagebgc.org.
Western Howard County and Columbia Youth Baseball/Softball -- Mostly serves western area and Columbia. Recreational and travel teams. www.whcsports.com.
Basketball (youth)
Catholic Youth Organization -- Leagues organized by Catholic parishes. Contact Church of the Resurrection, Ellicott City; Trinity Preparatory School, Ilchester; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ilchester; St. Louis Roman Catholic Church, Clarksville.
Columbia Basketball Association -- Clinic and recreational levels. www.columbiabasketball.com.
Columbia Jaguars -- Travel-level club for boys, sponsors tournaments. www.columbiajaguars.org. 410-997-1918.
Crusader Nation -- Regional, college-exposure teams for boys ages 13 through high school. Affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Guilford. www.crusadernation.org. 410- 984-4092.
Elkridge Youth Organization -- Recreation and travel levels for boys and girls. Primarily serves northeast portion of the county. www.eyosports.org.
Howard County Youth Program -- Recreation and travel levels for boys and girls. Primarily serves greater Ellicott City. www. hcyp.org.
Savage Boys and Girls Club -- Recreation and travel levels. Primarily serves the Savage, Laurel and Columbia areas. 301-604-8308. www.sav agebgc.org.
Western Howard County Youth Basketball -- Primarily serves the western end of the county. Recreational and travel teams for girls and boys. 410-489-0351. www.whcybasketball.com
Basketball (adult)
Department of Recreation and Parks -- Operates leagues for men and women, including two men's divisions for players age 30 and over. Information: 410-313-4700, or www.hcrpsports.com.
Bicycling
Baltimore Bicycling Club -- For members age 18 and over. www.baltobikeclub.org
