On this page we list those frequently asked questions of the Greater Severna Park Athletic Association, Inc., better known as The Green Hornets. We provide these FAQs online in an effort to give you access to the information immediately and at your convenience. Should you have questions that are not addressed below or by our website, please send them to [email protected].

1. How many kids benefit from the Green Hornets organization?
2. What facilities are available to the Green Hornets?
3. Who runs and works for the Green Hornets?
4. Why are the registration periods so far in advance of the respective sports seasons?
5. Why do the Green Hornets charge an annual $75 family fee?
6. What is the affiliation, if any, between the Green Hornets and the County Department of Recreation and Parks leagues?
7. What are the benefits that participating children can receive from the Green Hornets?
8. Why don't the Green Hornets mail registration notification and information directly to the homes like other community associations?
9. If there is a breach of the "Parent's Code of Conduct" what effective course of action should be taken to report it?
10. Why do the Green Hornets charge a late registration fee?
11. Where do the profits from the concession stand go?
12. When is my child ready to try out for a select team?
13. What if I have questions or concerns about the coach?
14. How do I sign my child up for a sports program?
15. Can anyone sign up to participate in the Green Hornets?
16. Who do I call to find out if a sport facility is closed due to inclement weather?
17. How much does a Green Hornets sponsored sport cost?
18. Can I get  a refund?

A. More than 5,000 children from 3,000 families benefit from the services the Green Hornets offer throughout each year. These children participate in a variety of seasonal sports on teams ranging in ages from 5 to 18 years. 

2: Q. What facilities are available to the Green Hornets?

A. The Green Hornets have many locations and facilities available for their use. Among these facilities is the main site at Kinder Park, known as the Harvey Garcelon Athletics Sports Complex which includes 6 multipurpose fields and 4 baseball fields. The Green Hornets also use fields at Cypress Creek, Shipley's Choice Elementary School, Folgers Elementary School, Severna Park Middle School and St. Martin's in the Field Church. For a complete listing of facilities, please visit our  Fields Page.

3: Q. Who runs and works for the Green Hornets?

A. The Green Hornets is a nonprofit organization consisting of more than 300 volunteers from the Greater Severna Park area. Additionally, a Board of Directors and Executive Director oversee the organization. A voting process conducted at the general membership meeting selects the board members. This meeting is usually held on the first Wednesday in December. The Executive Director manages day to day operations and is the only paid member of the organization. 

4: Q. Why are the registration periods so far in advance of the respective sports seasons?

A. The volunteers need time to organize the team rosters, coordinate field space and schedules, make financial arrangements for league fees and perform administrative tasks prior to the start of the season.

5: Q. Why do the Green Hornets charge an annual $75 family fee?

A. The $75 non-refundable Annual Family Fee is required to cover the Green Hornets' expenses, including administration, buildings, supplies, maintenance of Kinder Park, and insurance premiums for the organization. The fee is a calendar year fee, effective January through December. All current Green Hornet's families pay this annual fee once in the calendar year. The annual fee "coverage" will not "cross over" calendar years.  

6: Q. What is the affiliation, if any, between the Green Hornets and the County Department of Recreation and Parks leagues?

A. The Green Hornets operate under the guidelines of Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks. Many of the fields the Green Hornets use are county property and are available to the Green Hornets as part of a permitting process each year. 

7: Q. What are the benefits that participating children can receive from the Green Hornets?

A. The Green Hornets is an organization that promotes enjoyment of sports, character building and camaraderie. Winning is not everything with the Green Hornets. Children are encouraged to participate and have fun rather than being pressured to win. The sportsmanship that this organization encourages helps children to gain an understanding of teamwork, and to develop a sense of self-confidence, social skills, physical coordination and athletic skills. These benefits will not only assist children in sports activities today, but also throughout their lives as they mature.

8: Q. Why don't the Green Hornets mail registration notification and information directly to the homes like other community associations?

A. The Green Hornets organization feels that the expense related to direct home mailings to each alumni and prospective player could be better applied to fields, facilities, equipment and other ways that have a direct effect on the participants. Green Hornets registrations are publicized in the Severna Park Voice, the monthly newspaper that reaches homes of current and potential Green Hornets' families, and The Capital's weekly Green Hornets' column written by Jo Jones and found in the Severna Park Online Neighborhood. Effective Spring 2006, all registrations are done online by going to www.greenhornets.org, and choosing Player Online Registration Form.

9: Q. If there is a breach of the "Parent's Code of Conduct" what effective course of action should be taken to report it?

A. Should a parent find that there is a breach of the "Parent's Code of Conduct" he/she should alert the scheduled chain of command. First the offense should be brought to the attention of the team coach. Depending on the severity and/or continuation of the behavior or action, the Director or Commissioner of the sport should then be notified. 

10: Q. Why do the Green Hornets charge a late registration fee?

A. There are many tasks that need to be performed between the regular registration sessions and the start of the sport season. Adjustments made to rosters, team numbers and schedules increase time and expense necessary to prepare for the upcoming sport season. In addition, the $25 per child, per sport late fee is the only deterrent to having many hundreds of participants registering late which would be impossible to manage.

11: Q. Where do the profits from the concession stand go?

A. The Green Hornets share a percentage of the profits from the concession stand at games, and the money is applied to the administrative budget for the Green Hornets as part of our annual expenses.

12: Q. When is my child ready to try out for a select team?

A. Your child is ready to participate in a particular sport when he/she reaches the minimum age requirement for that sport. This is the age in which your child would be eligible to try out for a Select Team. The ages for each sport are listed in the individual sport's website pages. 

13: Q. What if I have questions or concerns about the coach?

A. Questions or concerns regarding a coach should first be brought to the attention of the coach. The next contact person would be that particular sports' commissioner (which is listed on the contact page). If answers are not satisfactory still, the next contact person would be the Sports' Director on the Green Hornets' Board of Directors which can be obtained from the sports' commissioner.

14: Q. How do I sign my child up for a sports program?

A. Effective Spring 2006, ALL registrations are done online by going to:  www.greenhornets.org. Choosing Player Online Registration Form. You should visit the Sports Calendar and Fees Chart on this website for the appropriate dates related to each sport.

15: Q. Can anyone sign up to participate in the Green Hornets?

A. The primary service area of the Green Hornets is within the boundaries of the Severna Park High School feeder system. The Green Hornets services children's sports teams from the age of 5 years to 18 years of age.

16: Q. Who do I call to find out if a sport facility is closed due to inclement weather?

A. Field/Facility closings can be found by visiting the Department of Recreation & Parks website at www.aacounty.org/recparks

17: Q. How much does a Green Hornets sponsored sport cost?

A. Individual sports fees are listed on the Sports Calendar and Fees Chart on the website. In addition to the individual fees, an additional $75 annual family fee must be paid. Additional fees may be required for Select, County and Regional team players for things such as; tournament fees and travel costs. 

18. Q. Can I get a refund?

A. Green Hornets will issue a refund prior to the season beginning, but once the season begins/practices start, we can not issue a refund.  We can not offer a refund if your child is injured after the season has begun.