Classes and Camps

From summer camps for tots and teens to "drop in" model sessions for adults, the Howard County Center for the Arts offers students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities quality arts experiences and a chance to discover their unique creative talents. The Center provides a wide variety of classes in a nurturing and positive learning environment.

Camps

SUMMER CAMP 2008!

Summer is right around the corner!  HCCA's Visual and Performing Arts Summer Camp has full day and half day camps for grades K-8.  The schedule is posted and online registration has begun.  Print brochures will be sent to our members and previous camp and class attendees in mid-February.

HCCA Summer Camp staff will be at Camp Expo '08 to answer questions, take registraions, and show off our great arts camps!  Camp Expo takes place February 10, from 2:30 to 5:00 pm at Kahler Hall in Harper's Choice Village Center in Columbia.  Attendance is free.  

HCCA offers one-week and two-week summer camp sessions in the arts. 2008 dates are below.  Camps are organized by the grade the camper will be entering in the fall.  Please follow the link at the top of the page for the complete schedule and to register.

Camp Assistants and Volunteers

Too old for camps, but love arts, kids and fun?  Apply to be a Camp Assistant or Volunteer to help Summer Camp teachers direct their students in art-making.  For more information or an application please call 410-313-2787, email info@hocoarts.org.  Come work with us this summer and find out how to be a pART of ART!

SPRING 2008 PROGRAMS

Registration is now OPEN for Spring art classes and Programs at the Howard County Center for the Arts.  Classes begin April 7, 2008. Sign up today!
 

General Policies

Inclement Weather Policy |  Registration Information

The Center Reserves The Right To:

• Substitute faculty as needed. Students will be notified of long-term faculty changes.
• Cancel a program at any time for reasonable cause.
• Deny registration or entry when deemed necessary for public safety.
• Ask any student to leave if he or she is disruptive or interferes with the safety of others and to suspend a child from a program, without refund, after notifying parent of disciplinary problems.
• Photograph program participants for publicity, educational, or documentary use
• Adjust program details as necessary.

Medical Information/Emergencies:

• It is the responsibility of participants to consult with a physician regarding their/ their child's physical condition and ability to participate in this program.
• All program participants must complete HCCA's Emergency Form Waiver & Release.
• For emergemcies requiring immediate medical attention, staff will call 911 and notify the student's parents or emergency contact.

Rules of Conduct Include:

• No smoking in the building.
• No soliciting or loitering.
• No inappropriate or indecent conduct or language.
• No intergerence with employee duties.
• No defacing property.
• No unauthorized use of illegal drugs, intoxicants and/or weapons.
• Any other conduct that is disruptive or may jeopardize the safety of others is strictly prohibited.

Parents please note:
Neither the facility staff nor instructors are responsible for children before or after the scheduled program/class unless otherwise pre-arranged in writing. It is your responsibility to take your child to the teacher at the start of the program and pick your child up from the teacher immediately after the program. A fee of $5 for the first five minutes and $5 per minute for each additional minute will be assessed if your child is not picked up at the close of the program/class and no prior arrangements have been made with the staff.

Inclement weather policy:

The Howard County Center for the Arts (HCCA) will follow the policies below with regard to closings and late openings due to inclement weather. This policy is in effect unless otherwise stated/notified.

IF, DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (HCPS):
Are closed for the day by 8AM: HCAA's regularly scheduled ongoing programs (ie: classes, rehearsals) will NOT operate and the building will be closed. *

Close Early: HCAA will close 1 hour after Howard County Public Schools have closed. *

Open 1 hour late: HCAA will open at 9AM. If HCPS open 2 hours late, HCCA will open at 10AM.

Not in session (e.g. weekends, holidays or previously schedules school closings) the following policies are in place:

• If phase one of the snow emergency plan** is in effect at 8AM that day, HCAA's regularly scheduled ongoing programs (i.e. classes, rehearsale) will NOT operate and the building will be closed. *
• Programs in operation at HCCA when phase one of the snow emergency plan** goes into effect will close down one hour after the plan goes into effect.
• Afternoon and evening classes will be cancelled if phase one of the snow emergency plan** goes into effect one hour prior to the start of class.

Registration Information:

Registration and Payment

• Registration begins immediately. 
• Advance registration is required and early enrollment is advised to avoid possible cancellation of the class due to low enrollment. A class will be cancelled if minimum enrollment is not met by the specified registration deadline.
• Programs are subject to minimum and maximum enrollment and are filled on a first-come , first-served basis.
• Register by phone (410-313-2787) or online with Visa/Master Card , in person on weekdays, from 9AM-5PM at the Howard County Center for the Arts, or via regular mail. Checks payable to: HCAC/HCCA.
• Fees must be paid in full at the time of regsitration. Spaces will not be held without full payment.
• Acceptance is automatic unless notified. Students are responsible for attending on the correct day and time without further notice.

Discounts & Financial Assistance (Cannot be combined. One discount per registration.)

• HCAC members recieve the discounted (member) tuition. Membership must be current on the first day of class.
• Senior citizens are eligible to receive the member rate.
• 5% discount available when registering more than one child from the same non-member family.
• HCCA provides a limited amount of financial assistance for programs. Awards will be partial scholarships determined by need on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested students must submit a letter of requests.

Cancellations & Refunds

• HCAC reserves the right to cancel any course at any given time. A refund of tuition is guaranteed. Participants in courses cencelled after the first class session will receive a pro-rated refund for cancelled sessions.
• Students may drop a course and obtain a refund less a $10 processing fee up to 2 weeks prior to the start of the course. No refunds/credits will be given for students withdrawing after this time.
• Classes missed by students will not be made up, nor will refunds or credits be issued for student-missed classes.
• Membership fees are not refundable.