Listings are accepted on a space-available basis. Events must be open to the public, and priority will be given to those in Howard County. Items typically appear two weeks prior to the date included in the listing if sent far enough in advance. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday prior to date of publication at the latest. To submit camp items, mail to Camps, Patuxent Publishing Co. Editorial, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; email hccalendar@patuxent.com; fax 410-332-6336; or call 410-332-6497.

Marriotts Ridge High School Boosters Summer Camp — Sponsored by the MRHS Boosters Club. Registration now open. Instructed by MRHS staff. http://www.mrhs-boosters.com/summer-camps.

Reservoir High School Boosters Summer Camps — Accepting registrations for field hockey (May and August), volleyball (June and August), baseball (programs for offense, catchers and pitchers), football (July and August), lacrosse (June and July), basketball (boys and girls middle school program and a co-ed program for elementary school) and softball (full-day). http://www.rhsgators.com.

Operation Junk Summer Camp — Sponsored by Murray Educational Services. Students will use their minds and creativity to transfer junk into super machines. Runs weekly, June 27-Aug. 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Kahler Hall, 5440 Old Tucker Row, Columbia. $220 per week; price includes snacks and pizza day. For grades K-5. Deadline to register is mid-May. http://www.murrayeducationalservices.org.

Pre-K Reading Summer Camp — Offered by East Columbia Preschool. Campers will study literature, science and the arts. Activities include walking field trips, outdoor play, music appreciation, art projects, scientific study, literature comprehension and social development activities. Snacks provided. Runs June 6-10, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., East Columbia Preschool, Owen Brown Community Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. $175, including $25 non-refundable registration fee. Campers must be 5-years-old by Dec. 31, 2011, to attend. 410-290-9166.

Centennial Boosters Summer Sports Camps — Offering boys' basketball, June 20-24, July 11-15 and 18-23; girls' basketball, July 25-29; football, July 24-28; boys' lacrosse, June 27-30 and July 5-8; girls' lacrosse, June 27-30 and July 11-14; and boys' and girls' soccer, Aug. 7-11. http://www.centennialboostersonline.com/camps.html.

16th Annual Summer Sports Camp — Offered by the River Hill Boosters. Instructed by RHHS coaches and associates. Runs weekly, June 20-Aug. 12 for various sports. $160 per week; price includes T-shirt. http://www.riverhill.org. Brian Van Deusen, 410-313-7120 or bvandeusen@hcpss.org.

Chinese Language Camp: Saving Our Bays and Oceans — Sponsored by the HCPSS Office of World Languages and Black Student Achievement Program Summer Camps. Students can learn the Chinese language while exploring sea life, habitats and other marine topics and comparing Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts with those in China's Qingdao Bay. Classes are conducted in Chinese with little or no English. June 27-July 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Swansfield Elementary School, 5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia. $75 registration fee. For grades 6-8. Deborah Espitia, 410-313-7485 or despitia@hcpss.org.

Black Student Achievement Program Summer Learning Camp — Provides extended learning opportunities for Howard County students in reading, math and science and participate in enrichment experiences, including art, drama, music, science, world language, and health and fitness. June 27-July 22, Swansfield Elementary School, 5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia. $450; price include lunch. Scholarships available. For students entering grades 1-5. Jackie Jenkins, 410-313-7019, ext. 226.

Black Student Achievement Program Student Enrichment and Accelerating Achievement of Leadership — Offering extended learning opportunities for Howard County middle and high school students. Students will practice skills that are assessed on state tests and participate in enrichment experiences, including drama, journalism, Spanish, art, step (girls only), basketball and engineering. June 27-July 22, Harper's Choice Middle School, 5450 Beaverkill Road, Columbia. $450; price include lunch. Scholarships available. For students entering grades 6-12. Jackie Jenkins 410-313-7019, ext. 226.

Glen Mar United Methodist Church Summer Day Camp — Offering weekly sessions, June 27-Aug. 5, for grades K-6. Full- and half-day sessions available. $145-$225 per week, with a 5 percent discount for participating siblings. http://www.glenmarumc.org. Andrea Calomeris, 410-465-4995, ext. 212, or camp@glenmarumc.org.

7th Annual Track and Field Camp 2011 — Offered by CrossLife Community Church. Learn the different events in track and field: high jump, discus, javelin, long jump, shot put, sprints and distance running. Runs June 27-July 1, 9 a.m.-noon. $50 first child, $45 each additional child; price include T-shirt.

Next Level Basketball Camp 2011 — Offered by CrossLife Community Church. Learn the skills high school coaches look for in players looking to make the JV/Varsity team. Runs June 27-July 1, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For rising boys and girls in grades 9-11. $150; price includes T-shirt. http://www.crosslifeonline.com.

"Sure Shot" Basketball Camp — Sponsored by the Columbia Association. Featuring basketball shooting coach Buzz Braman. Camp includes instructional clinics, shoot and offensive moves skill development, team games, contests, strength training, daily swimming and/or video highlights, snacks and reversible practice jerseys. Extended care available. Offered twice: June 20-24 and Aug. 22-26, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Columbia Gym, 6151 Day Long Lane, Columbia. $325 CA residents, $365 nonresidents. For boys and girls, ages 9-15. Columbia Gym, 410-531-0800.

Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts — Offering Camp Rock, a new musical based on the Disney Channel movie "Camp Rock," June 20-July 8, for ages 6-12; and "Mulan," with a stage adaptation of the Disney movie, July 11-July 22, for ages 6-12. Both camps culminate in two performances. St. John's School, 9120 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. 410-381-0700 or info@CCTArts.com.

Career Academies — Students can participate in activities in science, technology, engineering, culinary science and business, to help them understand how their interests relate to career areas offered through the high school Career Academies. Offered in two sessions: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-noon, June 27-July 1 and July 5-8, Applications and Research Lab, 10920 Route 108, Ellicott City. For grades 7-8. http://www.hcpss.org/summer/summerschool2011rev.pdf.

Vacation Bible School — Hosted by Glen Mar United Methodist Church. The theme, "PandaMania," will help children discover God created all of us and has a plan for our lives. Offering two sessions: July 5-8 and July 11-15, 9 a.m.-noon, 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City. For ages 3-grade 6. $25 suggested donation per student or $50 per family; price includes T-shirt. Margaret Prechtl, 410-465-4995, ext. 204, or http://www.glenmarumc.org to register by April 30.

Rock N' Adventure Camp — Offered by Terrapin Adventures. Featuring indoor rock climbing, zip line, giant swing, high ropes challenge course, outdoor climbing tower, mountain biking and geocaching. Offering two sessions: July 18-22 and 25-29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. http://www.terrapinadventures.com/camp.php.

Capitol Debate — Hosting summer camps in debate, public speaking, mock trial and leadership. July 25-Aug. 5, Loyola University Maryland, 8890 McGaw Road, Columbia. http://www.capitol-debate.com. Ronald Bratt, 443-538-4992 or bratt@capitol-debate.com.

Howard County Arts Council — Offering visual and performing arts camp, which conclude with an exhibit or performance of student work on the last day of camp of each session. Programs are open to the public, regardless of residency in Howard County. Runs June 27-Aug. 15, with one- and two-week sessions, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City. For grades K-7. 410-313-2787 or http://www.hocoarts.org.

Jacaranda Center for Family and Youth Development — Offering Top Chef Camp, June 19-23; Robotics Camp, July 19-30; and Summer Girls Huddles, July 11-22. 410-978-1859 or http://www.thejacarandacenter.org.

Space Station Salvation Summer Bible Camp — Offered by Christ Lutheran Church. Featuring Bible stories, songs, skits and crafts to teach how God keeps his promises. Mon.-Fri., June 27-July 1, 9 a.m.-noon, Christ Lutheran Church, 12570 Clarksville Pike, Clarksvile. Free. For grades PreK-8. Registration requested. Audrey, 410-730-5209 to register. 301-854-2100 or http://www.christlutheran.net.