Catoctin Mountain Park to Host the Third Annual Frederick County Outdoor School Reunion at Camp Greentop

Date: March 27, 2015
Contact: Debra Mills, 301-663-9388

The Third Annual Frederick County Outdoor School Reunion will be held at Camp Greentop in Catoctin Mountain Park on Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The Reunion celebrates memories of the Frederick County Outdoor School Program that operated at Camp Greentop from 1957 until 1996. The residential Frederick County Outdoor School program at Camp Greentop was the first program of its kind in the State of Maryland. Its success led the way for other Outdoor School programs at Catoctin Mountain Park including the Washington County Outdoor School held at Camp Misty Mount in the 1960's through the 1970's and the Washington, D.C. Public School Outdoor School Program held at Camp Round Meadow in the 1970's through the 1990's. Alumni from the Outdoor Schools at Camp Misty Mount and Camp Round Meadow are invited to join Camp Greentop Alumni in this celebration of environmental education.

The Outdoor School Reunion will be held in an open house setting at Camp Greentop from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 and will provide opportunities for Outdoor School alumni to revisit Camp Greentop, share their outdoor school memories, and tour this special place with family and friends. Catoctin High School National Park Club members will be on-site to conduct oral history interviews with alumni willing to record their memories as a way of documenting the activities and impact of the Outdoor School program. Former Outdoor School principal Eddie Main will provide a display of Camp Greentop memorabilia The day will feature opportunities to interact with former Outdoor School students, teachers and principals and to participate in activities reminiscent of camp activities.

Activities include:

• a GPS Course in Camp Greentop led by current Frederick County Outdoor School Teachers from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. GPS units will be provided for the event.
• name tag craft, reminiscent of Outdoor School from 9:00 a.m. while supplies last.
• a campfire managed by Boy Scout Troop 270 from Thurmont from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring hot dogs and marshmallows to roast to their version of perfection.
• former teacher Outdoor School Student, Erin Aylor will be at the totem pole at 11:00 a.m. to tell of his experiences carving a totem pole as a high school senior on work study. Erin, who is now a professional artist,carved the current pole as an adult.
• Avadna Coghill, known to many as "Pocahontas" will tell Ken the Wardog and other stories at the Rec Hall at 2:00 p.m..
• Selected camp buildings will be open for self-guided tours throughout the event.

Outdoor School alumni willing to share pictures, letters or other memorabilia from their experiences at Camp Greentop are encouraged to bring these items to the reunion. Catoctin High Students will scan the pictures and documents and photograph other memorabilia. The electronic versions will become part of the Catoctin Mountain Park Historic Archive. All items will remain in the possession of their owners. Please visit the Facebook page, "Frederick County Outdoor School Reunion at Catoctin Mountain Park" to share your thoughts and learn more about the day's events.

Catoctin Mountain Park is one of over 400 units administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Correspondence should be addressed to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Our website address is www.nps.gov/cato.The Visitor Center is open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily. Emergency calls should be directed to the National Capital Region Communications Center at 1-866-677-6677.

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