Planning is underway for the 7th Annual Howard County Walktober! Get ready for a month filled with fun, free, and engaging events designed for all ages and abilities to help our community get moving and achieve our physical activity goals.

🌐 Visit the Howard County Walktober 2026 website to explore upcoming events and learn how you can participate.

🔗 If you plan to host a walk or any physical activity event and would like to add it to the Howard County Walktober Calendar Events website, please fill out the Walktober 2026 Interest Form.

👟Want to get moving with coworkers or neighbors? We can help your group set up a Walking Challenge. Sign up here to get started and enjoy friendly competition all October, plus giveaways for the top three participants!

Let's walk together toward a healthier Howard County!

This year's theme is Keep Kids Safe From Lead:

Get the Facts

Get Your Child Tested

Get Your Home Tested

Lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly for young children.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is from October 25-31 and it is an opportunity for families, healthcare providers, and community partners to learn about potential sources of lead exposure and steps they can take to help prevent lead poisoning.

The Howard County Health Department offers FREE educational materials on lead poisoning prevention, including brochures and large-format posters.

• Order FREE Educational Materials
• Learn About Lead Prevention

Experience the Power of Community Storytelling Through Photography

Join Community Health Workers for a special Photovoice Community Exhibition featuring photographs that highlight the strengths, challenges, and opportunities for change within the Owen Brown community.

Through powerful visual storytelling, Community Health Workers will share the lived experiences of residents and spark meaningful conversations about community health, connection, and positive change.

This FREE community event is hosted by the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC). Light refreshments will be served.

📅 Date and Time: Monday, November 9, 2026, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

📍Location: East Columbia 50+ Senior Center, 6610 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045

🔗Registration is strongly encouraged. Click here to learn more and to register.

For questions, dietary restrictions, or language accommodation requests, please email chw@howardcountymd.gov. Click here for a copy of the flier in English and Spanish.

Calling all Howard County 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students! Howard County’s Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Environmental Services is accepting entries for its annual Coloring Book Contest, encouraging students to show what

“Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” means to them.

📅 Deadline: January 15, 2027, by 5:00 pm

📍 Entries may be mailed or hand-delivered to: Tim Kerr, Recycling Division, 9801 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia, MD 21046

For complete contest rules, visit the Bureau’s “Coloring Book Contest!” website or contact your child’s school art teacher.

For questions, call 410-313-6434 or send an email to tkerr@howardcountymd.gov.

Sister, Soar! is a fall after-school running club for middle school girls offered by Sisters for Health.

The program empowers girls of color to take control of their health while building confidence, community and healthy habits. Participants will learn about health and fitness, train for an October 5K and participate in community service by raising funds to fight chronic illnesses that disproportionately affect women in the community.

📅 Dates and Time: September 22 – October 31, 2026, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

📍Location: Howard County Library System – East Columbia Branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045

The program also helps prepare girls for participation in sports during high school and beyond.

🔗 Click here to learn more and to register.

Please contact them at 📧 sisforhealth@gmail.com or call 📞 410-635-0387 for more information.



Please note: Sister, Soar! is not an official Howard County Library System event.

Parents’ Place of Maryland (PPMD) is accepting applications for its FREE virtual Baby LEADers training program for families of children from birth to age 5 who have a suspected or diagnosed developmental delay or disability.

Participants will learn about:

🔹 Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) and Individualized Education Programs (IEP)

🔹 Transition at age 3

🔹 Communication and conflict resolution

🔹 Leadership and advocacy

📅 Application Deadline: October 16, 2026

Mandatory Orientation:

October 20, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 pm OR 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Virtual Training Sessions:

Saturdays at 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

October 31, November 7, 14, 21, December 5, 2026

👉Participants must attend the orientation and all five training sessions. Click here to learn more. Click here for the flier.

Perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause can bring changes and questions about your health. Join medical professionals, women’s health specialists and community partners for Thriving Through Midlife, a panel discussion designed to provide information and resources to help women make informed and empowering decisions about their health.

📅 Date and Time: Thursday, October 22, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

📍 Location: St. John Baptist Church, 9055 Tamar Dr, Columbia, MD 21045

🎟️ FREE admission

👉Come learn, ask questions and connect with resources to help you navigate this important stage of life. Register here.

Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) is offering a FREE, two-day Family Leadership Program for Howard County parents and caregivers of school-aged children with mental health challenges.

📅 Dates and Times: Friday, October 23, 5:00 - 9:00 pm, and Saturday, October 24, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

📍 Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8241 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21045

You will learn how to get special education services, understand your child's behavior needs, and take care of your own well-being.

The program is completely free and includes meals and a place to stay. You can also get help paying for childcare and transportation. Space is limited. You must be able to attend both days, and you can only join if you are a first-time participant (past Howard County Family Leadership graduates cannot apply).



👉 Learn more and apply here.

Calling expectant parents and families!⁠ Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Lambda Gamma Zeta Chapter invites the community to its Community Baby Shower!⁠

⁠

📅 Date and Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026⁠, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

📍Location: Cradlerock Elementary School⁠,

6700 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045⁠

🔗 Click here to learn more and to register.

This event is part of the Zeta Prematurity Awareness Program (ZPAP) and includes community partners Trinity Maternal Wellness and the Howard County Office of Children and Families.⁠

✉️ Questions? Email lrhodes@howardcountymd.gov.

Students in grades 7–12 and adults are invited to the Fostering Hope Summit, a FREE, all-expenses-paid event designed to provide practical tools, resources, and connections to help navigate everyday challenges.

📅 Date and Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 12:00 –4:00 pm

📍 Location: Krav Maga Maryland, 8895 McGaw Road, Columbia, MD

Don't miss this free event packed with interactive workshops, self-defense activities, leadership training, and life skills for students and families. Free food and activities are included! Space is strictly limited—register today to save your spot.

🔗Register here. For more information, contact taylor@blossomsofhope.org.

The Columbia Mom is a trusted community resource and support network for mothers and caregivers in Howard County.

Led by Claire Duarte, it creates a safe, inclusive space for sharing experiences, learning from one another, and fostering meaningful connections among families.

🔗 To learn more about the resources available, visit The Columbia Mom website here.

SHIP is currently offering virtual educational Medicare presentations. Call 410-313-7392 to register for presentations. Please note that registration closes 48 hours before the presentation commences. 

In Part 1, learn about Medicare Part A (Hospital), Part B (Medical) and Part D (Prescription Drug). How does Original Medicare work? What are the benefits? What is your share of the costs? When should you make decisions regarding your coverage?

In Part 2, learn about Part C (Medicare Advantage), other Medicare Health Plans and Medicare Supplement Policies (Medigap Plans). Learn how the two paths work, what they cost and when you can enroll.

📅 Dates and Times:

• October 6th (Part 1) and 13th (Part 2), 10:00 – 11:30 am
• November 12th (Part 1) and 19th (Part 2), 1:00 – 2:30 pm
• December 9th (Part 1) and 16th (Part2), 10:00 – 11:30 am

🔗Click here for more information.

Start your Saturday morning with fresh air and helpful health tips at a free community walk at Lake Kittamaqundi. Presented by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), each event begins with a brief health talk from a local doctor, followed by a walk where participants can go at their own pace.

📅 Date and Time: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 9:00 am

📍Location: Lake Kittamaqundi, Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044

👥 Meet at the People Tree sculpture (brick area near the fountain and Bailey Park)

💚 FREE and open to people of all ages and abilities!

🌧️ In case of inclement weather, meet at the food court in Columbia Mall. Click here for more information.

Howard County Health Department, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is hosting again the Pop-Up Farmer's Market. Discover fresh, Maryland-grown fruits and vegetables.

Don't forget to visit the Pop-Up Farmers Markets at the Howard County Health Department, 8930 Stanford Boulevard in Columbia, throughout the summer.

📅Date and Time:

• Tuesday, October 13 - 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

🔗Learn more about Howard County Farmers Markets or call 410-313-5891 for additional information.

The Mall in Columbia, in partnership with the United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) and The Red Devils, invites the community to an uplifting afternoon of care, connection and support.

Breast cancer survivors and women currently undergoing treatment will receive special pink bags filled with products, while attendees can enjoy wellness activities, family activities, giveaways and community resources.

📅 Date and Time: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

📍 Location: The Mall in Columbia – Center Court, 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044

💗 Planning to attend? RSVP to HCGH-Cancer-Center@jhmi.edu and include your name and county of residence. Pink bags will also be available for pickup after the event for those unable to attend. For more information, call 410-730-3300. Click on the image above for a copy of the flier.

Join the WIIN Breast Care Foundation for The Breast Care Collective, a free community health and wellness event focused on breast care. Attendees can connect with medical experts, survivors, caregivers, and local organizations to get valuable health information and support. The event features helpful discussion panels, a live Q&A session with doctors, and a marketplace with community vendors.

📅 Date and Time: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

📍 Location: Stonehouse Community Center, 6110 Foreland Garth, Columbia, MD 21045

Register here.

The Strides for Awareness, a Breast Cancer Walk and Resource Fair event features a 2-mile walk, breast health workshops, and vendor tables packed with local resource information. Attendees can also access onsite breast health screenings and find special breast cancer care items.

📅 Date and Times: Saturday, October 24, 2026:

⏰ 7:30–8:00 am – Registration

🚶🏾‍♀️ 8:00–9:30 am – Walk

📚 10:00 am –1:00 pm – Resource Fair & Workshops

📍 Location: Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044

⏳ Register here by October 10, 2026. 💲Registration is $20 and includes one pair of women’s socks.

Proceeds benefit the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center. 

The event is hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Lambda Omega Chapter and Pearl Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the National Council of Negro Women, Eastern Howard County Section and the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Howard County.

Join the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity and community partners for a FREE Health and Wellness Fair designed to support the health and well-being of men and boys in our community.

📅 Date and Time: Saturday, November 21, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

📍 Location: Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, 8045 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, MD 21044

Drop in—no registration needed! Enjoy free health screenings, fitness tips, and community resources. We are also accepting donations of toiletries, new pillows, white twin sheets, and $25 Walmart or gas gift cards for the Grassroots Men’s Shelter.

For more information, contact Ovan Shortt at 410-313-1453 (voice/relay) or oshortt@howardcountymd.gov. Click here for the event flier.

The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) partners with local providers to support individuals who are fighting tobacco/nicotine addiction. Everyone’s journey is different, so we are making help as accessible as possible.



If you are interested in stopping or decreasing your use of tobacco/nicotine, HCHD can help you explore available cessation services and connect you with a specialist. These services may include counseling and free nicotine replacement products, with assistance offered by phone, text, and virtual appointments.

🔗Click here to access the resources.