The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has expanded its residential summer camp, "Journey," to include two groups of county students: 25 girls entering eighth and ninth grades in fall 2008, and 25 girls entering 10th, 11th and 12th grades in fall 2008.
Maryland Leadership Workshops Inc. will operate the camp, as it has for the past two years. The organization has been providing leadership training programs for Maryland middle and high school students for more than 50 years.
The camp will run from July 20-26 at Washington College in Chestertown. The student delegates to the program will live in the college dorms, eat in the cafeteria, and experience a collegiate atmosphere.
The camp is a result of the Women's Giving Circle's efforts to support girls during a formative period of their lives. The program includes workshops on empowerment and motivation, communication skills, decision-making, group dynamics, self-awareness, goal-setting and conflict resolution.
Small and large group programs will allow the girls to exercise and get feedback on their leadership and interpersonal skills. Interaction between staff and girls will address needs and develop an action plan for implementation after the camp, which also includes activities such as swimming, athletics, team-building games and a confidence course.
The camp will focus on the theme of womanhood and what it means to be a woman.
The cost is $550. Financial assistance is available. Applications are available in middle and high school guidance offices and at www.womensgivingcircle.org.
Completed applications must be submitted by March 14.
Information: Colleen Taggart-D'Agrosa, 301-854-1107.
Scholarship funds donated for seniors
Donors to the Columbia Foundation have established scholarships for Howard County public high school seniors who will attend two- or four-year colleges or universities in fall 2008.
Information and applications are available on the Web at www.columbiafoundation.org under "General Information" or at high school guidance offices. The forms must be completed by the end of March.
Information: 410-730-7840 or visit www.columbiafoundation.org.
Nominations sought for notable alumni
Howard Community College is seeking graduates and former students who have gone on to assume leadership roles or demonstrated professional excellence.
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations is accepting nominations for this year's HCC distinguished Alumni Awards program until March 1. Final candidates will be chosen on the basis of their professional accomplishments, community leadership, continuing education, diversity of experience, and interests and successes.
The Distinguished Alumni for 2008 will be introduced at the college's commencement exercises May 16, and will be recognized at other college events during the year.
To nominate candidates for the award, contact Cynthia Sikorski at 401-772-4732, or complete the nomination form at www.howardcc.edu/alumni.
Nominations are welcome after the March 1 deadline, but will be considered as candidates for the 2009 academic year.
County to hold job fair for teachers
The Howard County Public School System's Comprehensive Teacher Job Fair will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 3 at the Kossiakoff Center, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, North Laurel.
The fair is open to anyone seeking employment as a certified teacher, behavior specialist, school counselor, physical therapist, speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist.
Attendees can interview with content specialists, meet administrators, learn about the county's New Teacher Support Program and attend a presentation on Teacher Certification in Maryland.
To request an application packet or register: 410-313-6693 or 800-850-7642 or visit www.hcpss.org.
Budget work session planned
The Howard County Board of Education will hold a public work session on the Superintendent's Proposed 2009 Operating Budget at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the boardroom at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City.
To request a sign language interpreter: Colleen Rice, 410-313-7046. Two weeks advance notice is preferred.
Event to honor Black History
The Howard County NAACP Youth Council will hold a fashion show commemorating Black History Month at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at Ridgelys Run Community Center, 8400 Mission Road, Jessup.
The event will focus on the theme "Remembering Our Past and Springing Forward." Youth council members will recognize past and present African-American history-makers of Howard County.
Information: Stephanie Hunter, 410-919-3963 or Bessie Bordenave, 443-280-1935.
HCC cookbook is on sale for $15
A cookbook featuring favorite recipes from students, staff members and faculty at Howard Community College is on sale at the HCC Bookstore in the Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall.
Now You're Cooking, HCC! contains more than 200 recipes from around the world. The book costs $15; proceeds will benefit the HCC Educational Foundation's scholarship fund for international education.
Information: Barbara Livieratos, 410-772-4707.