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Kids on Campus Frequently Asked Questions

The frequently asked questions listed below primarily apply to summer classes. Please note that some policies may also apply to year-round classes.

Administration Office

Where is the Kids on Campus Administration Office?

Our office is located in the Workforce, Career, and Community Education department in the Hickory Ridge Building, Suite 100. Our normal business hours are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays during the school year, and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. during the summer.

Accommodations/Medication

What if my student needs medication or an accommodation?

HCC is committed to providing an accessible education and supportive learning environment for all students. To help us meet this goal, parents of students with documented disabilities who require an accommodations must submit a letter to the Manager of Youth Programs indicating the student’s needs and the type of accommodation that may be required. You must contact the Manager of Youth Programs each time the student enrolls in a class even if you have received accommodations in the past. The Manager of Youth Programs must receive the letter at least 30 days prior to the start of class to provide time to assess and arrange for reasonable accommodations. Inadequate notice may result in your student not being able to attend camp. All information will be kept confidential. HCC does not provide personal medical assistants, care attendants, or aides of any other type. Only registered and fully paid students may attend class.

HCC does not administer medications to students. If medication must be taken while the student is on campus, the parent/guardian is responsible for coming to campus to administer the medication. Written permission from a physician is required for those who are able to self-medicate. Call 443-518-4110 or email koc@howardcc.edu for a required form. In an emergency, trained staff will administer EpiPens or inhalers provided by students. Kids on Campus cannot guarantee a nut-free environment.

If you need to drop off any medication to your student(s) during class, please bring the item(s) to the Hickory Ridge building, Suite 100, and one of our staff members will deliver the item(s) to your student’s class.

After Care

Where is After Care located?

After Care is located on the first floor of the Hickory Ridge Building. The room number will be posted in the lobby.

Parents/guardians who are experiencing an emergency or expect to pick up their student(s) after 6:30 p.m. are asked to call 443-518-4110 to inform our staff. Students picked up after 6:30 p.m. will be charged a late fee of $5 per every 15 min. If your student is absent on a certain day and is signed up for After Care, you must notify our office at 443-518-4110 so that their absence can be communicated to the After Care program aides so we know where your student is at all times. Students who are not registered for After Care but who are picked up after 4:45 p.m. will automatically be placed in After Care and a flat fee of $20 will be charged.

Age Restrictions

Are there exceptions to the ages listed in each class?

Students who will meet the minimum age requirement by class start date are eligible to take the class. Students who are in advanced classes or classes beyond their grade level may request an override to register for academic classes above their age level. Official documentation of advanced status will be required. Parents with specific questions about this may call the Kids on Campus staff at 443-518-4110.

Books and Supplies

Do I need to buy textbooks or supplies for my student's classes?

In most cases, the supply/materials/lab fee/textbook is included in the cost of the class. Classes needing special supplies will have that information listed in the class description.

Class Information

Where are the classes held?

Most classes are held in the Hickory Ridge Building of Howard Community College. Some specialized classes are held in labs and rooms throughout campus, including Duncan Hall (DH), the Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) Building, Academic Commons (AC), or the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts (HVPA) Building. If your student is taking a class in a building other than Hickory Ridge, they will be escorted to and from classes by our aides. *Parents will need to escort late students to class.

View HCC's Columbia campus location, maps and directions here.

For directions to the Hickory Ridge Building, type "Hickory Ridge Building" into Google maps. The address "10650 Hickory Ridge Road, Columbia, MD 21044" may appear.
What time do classes start?

Morning classes run from 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Afternoon classes are 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Students should arrive on campus no earlier than 10 minutes before the class starts.
What is the average class size?

The limit for most classes is 18. Some computer courses may accommodate as many as 22 students.
What are the teachers' qualifications?

All classes are taught by college-approved instructors. Most of our instructors are certified teachers in either public or private schools. Other instructors are HCC faculty and staff or experts in the field they teach. All teachers have undergone background checks by appropriate authorities.
How long are the sessions?

One-week and two-week half-day sessions (mornings and afternoons) can be combined into a full-day program for one or two weeks.
Are there morning and afternoon breaks?

Yes, there are 15-minute snack breaks in each session, occurring between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. for the morning session and between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Students may bring their own snacks or purchase a drink and snack from the first floor vending machines in the Hickory Ridge Building. Students should bring $1 bills or small change for the vending machines as staff cannot provide change. If you need to drop off any food items, medication, or personal belongings to your student(s) during class, please bring the item(s) to the Hickory Ridge building, Suite 100, and one of our staff members will deliver the item(s) to your student’s class.

Consent Form

Why do I need to submit a Kids on Campus Parental Consent Form?

To comply with Maryland camp licensure requirements, we must have vital information to protect your student's health and safety while he/she attends our classes. Regulations require that we have the student's health information, emergency contact information, transportation arrangements, school information, student behavior responsibilities, and a signature of compliance before we can legally accept him/her into the program. Complete the Consent Form. If your student resides outside the United States, a United States territory, or the District of Columbia, you will need to complete MDH Form 896. If your student requires medication during camp hours, and they have permission to self-medicate, you will need to complete the Self-Medication Parental Authorization Form.

Drop Off/Pick Up

Where do I pick up my student if the weather is bad?

In the case of inclement weather at dismissal time, parents are asked to park and come into the building to meet their student. A staff member will direct parents to the classroom where the students will be gathered. Please note that it may not be their scheduled classroom. If KOC classes are to be dismissed early due to inclement weather, parents or guardians will be notified by email.
Where do I drop off, and pick up, my student before and after class?
- Drop-off Procedure: A new system is in place for both morning and afternoon drop-offs.
  - For students who are ready to exit the vehicle immediately, follow the blue drop-off traffic flow indicated on the map and stop when directed by staff.
  - If your student needs extra time to gather belongings or say goodbye, please park in the green parking areas (see map) and walk them to the staff waiting at the cones.
- Drop-off Timing: Please arrive approximately 10 minutes before class start time. KOC aides will begin escorting students in classes held outside Hickory Ridge 5 minutes before classes begin. Students arriving after the group has left must be escorted to class by a parent or guardian.
- Dismissal: At the end of class, parents should park in the designated areas (see map) and walk to the cones to meet their student.
  - No sign out will be required.
  - For safety, students may not walk through the parking lot without a parent or guardian.
What if I'm late to pick up my student at the end of class?

Students who have not been picked up from their morning class by 12:15 p.m. will be placed in a supervised lunchroom in the Hickory Ridge Building. They will be enrolled in lunch for the day, and a flat fee of $10 will be charged.

Students not picked up by 4:45 p.m. at the end of the day will be escorted to After Care, located in the Hickory Ridge building. A late fee of $20 will be charged. You may contact After Care staff by calling 443-915-1622 if necessary.

Dropping/Switching Classes

Is there a fee for dropping classes or switching sections from one course to another?

Transfers are acceptable as long as neither course has started, and the new section is not filled. Complete the Course Change Request Form. *Prices for KOC classes differ. Parents or guardians are responsible for any tuition/fee difference resulting from a transfer.

Call 443-518-4110 to arrange for a transfer.

DROPS AND REFUNDS – If your student cannot attend a course, please notify us immediately. If notification is received by the Monday two weeks prior to the class start date, a full refund of tuition and fees will be issued. For cancellations received within two weeks prior to class start date, tuition will be refunded but fees will be withheld. No refunds will be given on or after the class start date. Refunds will not be made for non-attendance.

*Parents/Guardians are responsible for any tuition/fee difference resulting from a student transfer.

Drop requests must be made in writing to koc@howardcc.edu. You can also drop using the online registration form or by completing the online drop/transfer form. Requests for drops left on voicemail or communicated via phone will NOT be processed.

Eligibility

How do I know if my student is eligible to participate in KOC?

Please visit our Program Eligibility page to see if your student is eligible to participate in the KOC program.

Federal Tax ID

What is the federal tax ID number for Kids on Campus?

The tax ID number is 520900106.

Financial Aid/Scholarship Information

How can I apply?

Please read and fully complete the financial aid form and submit it with all required documentation.

Lunch

Is lunch provided?

You provide the lunch, we provide the supervision. From 12–1 p.m., students will eat lunch with their peers. All students under 16 staying on campus for both morning and afternoon courses must register for this supervised lunch hour. For 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. classes, students not picked up by 12:15 will be placed in a supervised lunchroom in the Hickory Ridge Building and registered for lunch.

The fee covers supervision and facilities. Non-perishable bag lunches are required. No refrigeration or microwave is available.

All students must stay in their assigned, age-appropriate lunchrooms during this time.

If you need to drop off any food items to your student(s) during class, please bring the item(s) to the Hickory Ridge building, Suite 100, and one of our staff members will deliver the item(s) to your student’s class.

Registration

How will I know if my student is enrolled in the class?

If you register online, you will receive online confirmation that you should print for your files. If you register by other methods, you will receive a confirmation email if we receive your registration at least a week before the class begins. If you don't hear from us, you can confirm registration by contacting the Workforce, Career, and Community Education office at 443-518-4825. Tuition payment is due at time of registration to ensure your student a seat in the class. Students will not be allowed in class until tuition is paid in full and we receive a completed consent form.

Waitlists

Do you have waitlists for full classes?

Yes. Join a waitlist for a full class and you will be notified if a spot becomes available. Register for another class in the event the class remains full.

*Please note that being added to the waitlist does not guarantee enrollment for your student if a space becomes available.