Wealth of activities available to young, old

The Baltimore Sun

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

Chesapeake Wheelmen -- www.chesapeakewheelmen.org. Men's, women's and junior teams.

Climbing

Earth Treks' Climbing Center -- 7125-C Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia. Features 44-foot walls and more than 15,000 square feet of climbing surfaces. Has programs for children and adults. 410-872-0060. www.earthtreksclimb ing.com.

Cheerleading

Overview -- Several cheer groups are affiliated with youth sports leagues.

CCC Warriors -- www.eteamz. com/cccwarriors. 410-637-5999.

Columbia Ravens -- www.colum biaravens.com

Columbia Steelers -- www.columbiasteelers.com. Registration through Howard County Recreation and Parks.

Emilia's Cheerleading -- 9525 Berger Road, Columbia. 410-381-7565. www.eagcgym.com.

Howard County Terps -- www.hcterps.org. 410-313-4715.

Elkridge Hurricanes -- eteamz.active.com/elkridge hurricanesfb. 410-313-4706.

Fencing

Baltimore Fencing Center-Columbia -- 301-854-3809. www.columbiamdfencing.org. Classes for children and adults.

Field Hockey

Field hockey -- youth and women's league operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks, 410-313-4700. www.hcrpsports.com.

Figure skating

Columbia Figure Skating Club -- Based at Columbia Ice Rink, 5876 Thunder Hill Road, Columbia. 410-730-0322. www.columbiafsc.mm webserver.com.

Fitness centers

Howard County YMCA -- 4331 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City. Offers fitness programs for children and adults; machines, free weights, swimming, summer camps. 410-465-4334. www.ymca-maryland.com.

The Athletic Club with Indoor Tennis -- 5435 Beaverkill Road, Columbia. One of three such facilities operated by the Columbia Association. Offers classes, equipment and free weights. Memberships open to everyone, with lower fees for people who live or work in Columbia. 410-730-6744, or www.columbiaassociation.com.

Columbia Gym -- River Hill Village Center, Clarksville. Operated by the Columbia Association. 410-531-0800, or www.columbiaassociation.com.

Curves for Women -- several locations in the county. www.curves.com.

Life Time Fitness -- 7220 Lee DeForest Drive, Columbia. Facilities include exercise equipment, free weights, outdoor and indoor pools, camps, basketball, racquetball and squash courts, climbing wall, indoor volleyball. 410-953-0022. www.lifetimefitness.com.

Supreme Sports Club -- 7080 Deepage Drive, Columbia. 410-381-5355. Operated by the Columbia Association. www.columbiaassociation.com.-- Many private fitness centers are listed in the telephone book.

Fitness for Kids

Fitwize 4 Kids -- 6925 Oakland Mills Road, Suite S, Columbia. 443-312-2173. www.fitwize4kids.com. Designed for children ages 6 to 15.

My Gym -- 8890 Centre Park Drive, Columbia. 410-730-3308. Offers drop-off programs for children ages 2 1/2 to 9.

Youth Football

County Department of Recreation and Parks -- administers four separately managed programs, the Columbia Steelers, Elkridge Hurricanes, Howard County Terps and Western Howard County Warhawks. Recreation and travel levels. 410-313-7275.

CCC Warriors -- Recreation and travel levels. www.eteamz.com/cccwarriors. 410-637-5999

Columbia Ravens -- Recreation and travel levels. www.eteamz.com/Columbia Ravens.

Howard County Bruins -- Serves boys who exceed the weight limits applied by other clubs. www.hocobruins.com

Football (flag)

Howard County YMCA -- 4331 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, 410-465-4334.

Savage Boys and Girls Club -- Recreation and travel levels. Primarily serves southeastern part of county. 301-604-8308, or www.savagebgc.org.

County Department of Recreation and Parks -- 410-313-7275.

Football (touch)

County Department of Recreation and Parks -- Operates a "run and shoot" men's league in spring, fall and winter. 410-313-4718.

Gymnastics

Columbia Gymnastics -- 9200 Rumsey Road, Columbia. 410-964-2053, or www.columbiagym nastics.com.

Emilia's Acrobatics, Gymnastics and Cheerleading -- 9525 Berger Road, Columbia. 410-381- 7565, or www.eagcgym.com.

Pomeroy Gymnastics Inc. -- 3800 Ten Oaks Road, Glenelg. 410-489-5705.

Top Flight Gymnastics -- 9179A Red Branch Road, Columbia. 410-992-1600. www.topflightgym-md.com.

Hockey (ice)

Howard County Huskies youth ice hockey -- Home rinks: Columbia Ice Rink and Laurel Ice Gardens. www.howardhuskies.org.

Hockey (in-line)

In-line hockey for children and adults -- operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks, 410-313-4700. www.hcrpsports.com. Operates leagues and has a rink at Alpha Ridge Park, Marriottsville.

Jump rope

Kangaroo Kids -- Competitive rope jumping for youth through high school. 410-750-8062. www.kangaroo kids.org.

Lacrosse (youth)

Howard County Youth Lacrosse -- Nonprofit that runs recreation and travel-level teams by age group for boys and girls. 410-313-4706. www.hclacrosse.com.

Hero's Lacrosse Inc. -- Summer leagues for boys and girls through high school. 410-461-6596. www.heroslacrosse.com.

Lacrosse (adult)

County Department of Recreation and Parks -- operates men's leagues by age group. 410-313-4706, or www.hcrpsports. com.

Martial arts

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks -- Offers instruction in several forms. 410-313-4700, or www.hcrpsports. com.

Columbia Association -- Offers classes in several forms for members. 410-715-3000.-- Many private martial arts schools operate in the county. See the telephone directory for information.

Pinball

Free State Pinball Association -- Competes at Volleyball House, Elkridge. www.fspazone.org. 410-863-0370.

Rugby

Rocky Gorge Rugby of Laurel -- 410-234-9713. www.rockygorgerugby.com. Offers youth and adult teams.

Running

Howard County Striders -- Columbia. Large, active club with weekly runs, club races, and training for beginners to ultra-marathoners. Operates youth and adult programs. 410-964-1998. www.striders.net.

Soccer (youth)

Columbia Soccer Club -- Travel-level club with boys and girls teams. 410-234-9734. www.columbia soccerclub.com.

Elkridge Youth Organization -- Recreation level for boys and girls. Primarily serves the northeast portion of the county. www.eyo sports.org.

Savage Boys and Girls Club -- Recreation level for boys and girls. Primarily serves the southeastern part of the county. www. savagebgc. org.

Soccer Association of Columbia-Howard County -- Northrop Fields at Covenant Park, 4560 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City. 410-203-9590, or www.sackick.com. A large club with recreation, A-level and travel teams for boys and girls. Alumni have won local, state and national recognition. Fall and spring outdoor leagues. Operates eight-field complex with synthetic and grass turf fields. Operates a major invitational tournament on Memorial Day weekend.

Thunder Soccer Club -- Travel club with boys and girls teams, serving primarily the western section of the county. 410-207-2213, or www.thundersoccerclub.org.

Western Howard County Youth Soccer -- Boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Plays at fields in western area of the county. www.whcsoccer. org

Soccer (adult)

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks -- Administers leagues, based on age and skill, for men, women and "co-rec" teams. 410-313-4700, or www.hcrpsports. com.

Soccer (indoor)

Soccer Dome -- 7330 Montevideo Drive, Jessup. Privately owned facility with three fields, all surfaced with bladed synthetic turf. Operates or hosts leagues and training programs for children, men and women. 443- 755-0014, or www.soccerdome.com.

Softball (youth)

Elkridge Youth Organization -- Recreation and travel levels in fast-pitch. Primarily serves the northeast portion of the county. www.eyosports.org.

Howard County Youth Program -- Recreation and travel levels in fast-pitch. Primarily serves greater Ellicott City. www.hcyp.org.

Savage Boys and Girls Club -- Recreation and travel levels in fast-pitch. Primarily serves the southeastern part of the county. www.savage bgc.org.

Western Howard County and Columbia Youth Baseball/Softball -- Mostly serves western and central county. Recreational and travel teams. www.whcsports.com.

Softball (adult)

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks -- Administers slow-pitch leagues for men, women, and co-rec teams in the spring and fall. 410-313-4700, or www.hcrpsports.com.

Cindy LaRue Co-Rec Softball League, Columbia -- A slow-pitch league for adults, with emphasis on fun and participation. Encourages membership by those who have not played for years but would like to play again. 410-499-9918. www.cindy larue.com

Swimming

Columbia Association -- operates 23 outdoor pools throughout Columbia. Open memberships, with reduced prices for people who live or work in Columbia. 410-715-3000, or www.columbiaassociation.com.

Columbia Swim Center -- 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia. Two indoor pools and a flume operated year-round by the Columbia Association. Open memberships, with reduced prices for people who live or work in Columbia. 410-730-7000, or www. columbiaassociation.com. Has Columbia Clippers swim league and swimming lessons.

Howard County YMCA -- 4331 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City. Indoor pool, year-round operation. Instruction, recreational and competitive swimming available. Operates a competitive youth team. 410-465-4334.

Roger Carter Recreation Center -- 3676 Fels Lane, Ellicott City. Outdoor public pool. Lessons available. 410-313-2764, or www.hcrpsports.com.

Tennis

Columbia Association Outdoor Tennis Clubs -- Owen Brown Club, 7150 Cradlerock Way, 410-381-7255. Racquet Club at Hobbit's Glen, 11130 Willowbottom Drive, 410-715-3080. Wilde Lake Club, 10499 Cross Fox Lane, 410-730-3767. CA offers lessons, clinics, tournaments and leagues. Owen Brown facility has a tennis bubble. Open memberships, with lower fees for people who live or work in Columbia.

Howard County Tennis Association -- Countywide youth tennis instruction, competition. 410-489-9179.

Triumph Health and Fitness -- 15535 Carrs Mill Road, Woodbine. Four indoor courts. 410-489-2901.

Walking

Columbia Volksmarch Club -- Conducts year-round and special noncompetitive, weekend walks over 5- and 10-kilometer courses. Affiliated with American Volkssport Association. 410-290-6510, or www.geo cities.com/walkcolumbia.

Volleyball

Columbia Volleyball Club -- For girls ages 10 to 18. 410-365-1000, or www.columbiavolleyballclub.org.

County Department of Recreation and Parks -- runs adult co-rec leagues. 410-313-4700. www.hcrpsports.com.

Howard County Youth Program -- Fall leagues for boys and girls. www.hcyp.org.

Volleyball House -- 5365 Furnace Ave., Elkridge. Year-round, six-court, indoor facility. Privately operated. Administers men's, women's, mixed and youth leagues. 410-579-1007, or www.vbhouse.com.

Wrestling

Howard County Wrestling League -- offers clinics and recreation and travel teams for youth. Travel team competes as the Vipers.

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