Special Interest Resources
Columbia is a remarkably diverse and integrated community. It is home to families with young children, teens, young professionals, and an active 55+ community. It is inclusive, welcoming and accessible. Wherever you fall in the beautiful mix, there is information that can serve you. Here are some of the resources that we get asked about regularly.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
Columbia is the perfect place to raise a family. Part of Columbia’s reason for existing was developer James Rouse’s vision to create a city that would be “a garden for the growing of people.” Columbia offers miles of pathways, 173 tot lots, 23 outdoor pools, and an excellent public school system. Get to know the awesome, family-friendly city of Columbia, MD!
Education
Howard County is known for its excellent public schools. The Howard County Public School System is home to 42 elementary schools, 20 middle schools, and 13 high schools. Thirty-seven of these schools serve students living in Columbia, and more information about Columbia schools and the neighborhoods they serve can be found on our Schools page. Education isn’t just limited to public schools. There are several local private schools and homeschooling communities here. Plus, Columbia is home to award-winning Howard Community College and the Howard County Library System, which provides lifelong education and a myriad of resources to help Columbia residents learn, grow, and connect.
Early Childhood Education
For the youngest Columbia residents, Columbia offers a variety of childcare and education options. We have an excellent Pre-K program offered through the Howard County Public School System, a strong Head Start program administered by our Community Action Council, a large number of day care facilities, co-op preschools, and in-home childcare. Howard County’s LOCATE: Child Care service provides a comprehensive list of childcare options for families in Columbia.
Extracurricular Activities
Got busy kids? Columbia has a huge variety of extracurricular activities for kids and families. If your child is an athlete, Columbia is home to a number of sports leagues with varying levels of competitiveness. Howard County Recreation and Parks offers instructive sports classes and leagues for children and youth, and there are several private organizations offering sports instruction, local leagues, and travel teams. A few include: Howard County Youth Sports, i9 Sports, The Y in Central Maryland, and Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC). If arts, music or theatre are areas of interest, Columbia is home to a huge number of arts organizations providing instruction for children and youth. A few include Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, Drama Learning Center, Soundcheck Rock Academy, Olenka’s School of Music, School of Rock, KidzArt, Howard County Arts Council, and more!
Play Areas/Tot Lots
Let’s play! As part of Columbia’s master plan, each neighborhood has at least one “tot lot” on CA Open Space. These small playgrounds are primarily aimed at young children between the ages of 2 and 10, but there are several “Super Tot Lots” across Columbia that are larger and more inclusive of older children. Additionally, Howard County Recreation and Parks maintains several community parks with a variety of play areas.
Summer Camps
Summertime means camps for many families. Don’t worry – Columbia has lots of options for kids of all ages! Larger organizations like Columbia Association, Howard County Rec and Parks, and Howard Community College’s Kids on Campus program offer the largest variety of camp options, but there are a number of other camps offered by local nonprofit organizations, businesses, and schools.
OLDER ADULTS
Columbia, Maryland, offers a variety of resources and programs tailored to support older adults, enhancing their quality of life and promoting active engagement within the community.
Information and Resources
The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) serves as the primary agency providing services and support for older adults in Howard County. Their offerings encompass health and wellness programs, senior centers, caregiver support, housing resources, and elder abuse prevention. Each year, they publish the OAI Resource Guide , which provides a comprehensive list of businesses and organizations serving older adults in Howard County.
Senior Housing
If you’re looking for age-restricted housing, Columbia has a variety of options. The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) offers detailed information on the different types of senior housing and long-term care options.
YOUNG ADULTS
Sure, some call it the suburbs, but Columbia is the second largest city in Maryland! Many students and young adults call Columbia home. Our younger population is growing here, and Downtown Columbia is the most popular place for young adults to live and socialize. Here is some information to help our younger adult residents.
Night Life
Columbia hasn’t yet developed the reputation for a great nightlife that D.C. and Baltimore have, but we are working on it! Columbia was intended to offer something for everyone, and the long-planned development of Downtown Columbia over the past 10 years is finally making our city more fun for young adults! The Merriweather District in downtown is home to dozens of restaurants, several apartment communities, and a few bars offering late-night options, like GameOn and Bandito’s. Other popular late night spots are Pub Dog and Nottingham’s. Columbia is also home to several local breweries and distilleries, offering locally-made spirits, beers, seltzers, and ciders to please any taste. Check out Visit Howard County to see a complete list of options in and around Columbia.
Meeting People
As more young people move to Columbia, the available social groups and activities are expanding. Checking out Meetup is a great way to explore the many social groups and clubs that are active in Columbia. One that is specifically focused on creating opportunities for young adults to meet is Columbia Social. If you’re into recreational sports, Volo offers several local leagues and opportunities in Columbia, offering everything from kickball, to volleyball, to bocce. Howard County Recreation and Parks also offers a full range of coed recreational sports teams for adults.
LGBTQ+ RESOURCES
Columbia is known for being an open and inclusive community, welcoming LGBTQ+ with open arms and lots of wonderful resources. Howard County Pride is celebrated annually. Here are some resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and families to be aware of:
Columbia is home to several community organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community. These include an active chapter of PFLAG, which has an excellent list of local and national resources for LGBTQ+ people. We are lucky to also have an advocacy community for students in K-12 schools called Community Allies for Rainbow Youth (CARY).
HoCo Pride
Organized and held annually, offering a variety of activities, performances, and vendors. For more information or to get involved, visit HoCo Pride, Inc.
Drag Shows
Yes, you can see drag shows right here in Columbia! Drag brunches are a popular local offering, and are regularly held at local distilleries and restaurants. Check online for upcoming events.
Welcoming Congregations
There are several local worship groups who welcome the LGBTQ+ community. PFLAG keeps a list on their resources page.
DISABILITY RESOURCES
If you or a loved one has a physical, intellectual, or mental disability, Columbia and Howard County offer a wealth of resources to help you.
Government Resources
Howard County Government’s Office of Disability Services offers a Loan Closet for durable medical equipment, and promotes the self-sufficiency and well-being of people with disabilities through information, referral, advocacy, and education. The Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC) provides a list of available disability resources in Howard County and is up to date on programs and services serving the disability community in Columbia. CAREAPP is a Howard County Health Department program that connects County residents to community programs and services, including resources for food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment assistance, and more.
Community Organizations
There are many local nonprofits dedicated to serving the disability community in and around Columbia, offering everything from housing, job search and supports, advocacy, case management, and more. Below is a list of local nonprofits focused on helping people with disabilities.
Education
HCPSS has a strong, student-focused special education program and offers the Cedar Lane School for students with significant disabilities. They also partner with state government and organizations to help local families connect with the resources they need for their student’s success.
We know this list only represents some of our city’s diverse population. If you don’t see yourself represented here, please Contact Us to tell us what you’re looking for. We are expanding our list of resources daily!
RESIDENT RESOURCES
