August 27 Centennial Extravaganza

News Release Date: August 10, 2016

Catoctin Mountain Park News Release

For Immediate Release:August 5, 2016

Contact: Ron Harvey, 301-663-9388, e-mail us

Debra Mills, 301-748-7882, [e-mail]

Catoctin Mountain Park Plans Centennial Extravaganza Celebrating the National Park Service 100^th Anniversary

THURMONT, Md. –Catoctin Mountain Park is partnering with the Catoctin Forest Alliance to present a CentennialExtravaganza celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service at Camp GreentoponSaturday, August 27,2016.Catoctin Mountain Park is partnering with the Catoctin Forest Alliance to present a Centennial Extravaganza celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service at Camp Greentop on Saturday, August 27, 2016.

The event, to be held in an open house format from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm, will revisit significant eras in the history of Catoctin Mountain through exhibits, demonstrations, programs and interactive activities presented by NPS personnel, park volunteers and park partners.The first 200 visitors will receive a special commemorative coin designed and produced for this event.

The following activities and exhibits will be available from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Craft Demonstrations:Although it hasn't occurred in over 30 years, visitors still ask about the Catoctin Folk Craft Center that operated at Camp Round Meadow from the late 1960s through 1980. Local craftsmen will revisit the spirit of the Craft Center through live demonstrations of mountain crafts to include: blacksmithing, broom making, basket weaving, and leather working. At least one of the demonstrators worked at the original Craft Center.

Exhibit by the League for People with Disabilities:The League for People with Disabilities program at Camp Greentop is the longest running camp for disabled people in the United States.Known to many simply as "Camp Greentop," the camp has operated at Greentop every year the camp has been open since 1938. Meet staff from current and past programs to learn why Camp Greentop is so special and how outdoor experiences enrich the lives of individuals with special abilities.

4th Annual Outdoor School Reunion:The Frederick County Outdoor School program was the first such program in Maryland. Forward thinking educators realized the unique academic, social, and physical benefits to be derived from a residential school for 6th graders. For many, the week in Catoctin Mountain Park is the most memorable of all school experiences.The over 50,000 alumni of the program that operated at Camp Greentop from 1957 through 1996 are invited to meet with old friends and educators to share their experiences from camp. Alumni from the Washington County Outdoor School Program at Camp Misty Mount and the DC School Program at Camp Round Meadow are encouraged to join the walk down memory lane. Former students are encouraged to bring memorabilia from their outdoor school experience for copying or photographing for inclusion in the National Park Service archives.

Boy Scout Demonstrations:Thousands of Boy Scouts have hiked, camped and completed service projects at Catoctin Mountain Park. An average of 5 young men complete the service portion of their Eagle Scout Award at Catoctin each year and hundreds of others, including individual troops and the annual Order of the Arrow Ordeal, help with immediate park needs. Local Boy Scout troops will demonstrate skills vital when camping overnight and special team building activities.

Orientation Tent and Children's Activities: National Park Service Rangers will provide an Orientation Tent to direct visitors to activities within Camp Greentop. Kids of all ages may complete a special Jr. Ranger Activity Booklet and earn their Centennial Junior Ranger Badge.

Catoctin Forest Alliance Exhibit:The Catoctin Forest Alliance is a group of concerned citizens working to support the overall health of the Catoctin Mountain Park and the surrounding forest. Meet with CFA members to learn about the Artist in Residence, childrens' programs, current activities and future plans.

Old Time Music by Claude Martin and Erica Snow: Claude Martin started playing the fiddle at age seven. He was first introduced to folk music through festivals and familial events. Martin also grew up in a musical family Band, and has been immersed in traditional music his entire life.Erica snow learned the guitar through private lessons, and was more interested in Rock music at first, but when she discovered Old Time Music, it was all over... Erica took to the music and the culture like a fish to water. Claude and Erica combine their influences and passions to create a new duo that is bringing old music to new and young listeners. They will be playing on the Greentop from 10:30 until noon and from 1:00 pm until 2:30.

Program Schedule: Educational programs and ranger led activities highlighting the unique history of the National Park Service, Catoctin Mountain Park, and the local area will be presented throughout the day. Programs will include: History of the National Park Service and Catoctin Mountain Park;History of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) at Catoctin Mountain during World War II;and Ranger-led discovery hikes.

Full programming details can be found on the Catoctin Mountain Park website at www.nps.gov/cato, at the Catoctin Forest Alliance website at www.catoctinforestalliance.org, and on the Catoctin Mountain Park and Catoctin Forest Alliance Facebook pages. Please call the Park Visitor Center at 301-663-9388 or email debbiemil1s1 l [e-mail] for more information.

The Catoctin Forest Alliance (CFA) is the primary friends group for Catoctin Mountain Park. The organizational mission is to protect the health of the Catoctin Forest with special emphasis on citizen engagement and youth programs. Further information on the CFA may be obtained by contacting Director of Programs Debra Mills at [e-mail].

Catoctin Mountain Park is one of 412 units administered by the National Park Service. The park Visitor Center, located on State Route 77 three miles west of Thurmont, Maryland, is open daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. General information can be obtained by calling the Visitor Center at [phone] or through the parks' website at: www.nps.gov/cato.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for the 412 parks in the National Park System and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

Centennial Event Press Release (doc. 40kb)

Centennial Event Poster 508 Compliant (pdf 12.4MB)