The BICO Monthly Outings Summary

February, 2006


OUTING #1 DATE: February 11, 2006

TEAM: Dickey Hill Elementary School

ACTIVITIES:  Hike at Patapsco Valley State Park and Swimming at UMBC  Pool.

DESTINATION:  Patapsco Valley State Park  Avalon Section and UMBC Pool, Catonsville,  MD
Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 14,000 acres and five developed recreational areas. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails, as well as picnicking for individuals or large groups in the park's many popular pavilions.

Avalon-Glen Artie-Orange Grove Section - This area offers hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, canoeing, bicycling, tubing, rental pavilions, fishing, equestrian trails, ball fields and playgrounds. The Orange Grove Scenic Area has a two mile drive along the Patapsco to the Swinging Bridge. A fish passage has been installed at Bloedes Dam. This area is known for several historical sites – the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Thomas Viaduct, remains of the Orange Grove Mill, Avalon Iron and Nail Works and Bloedes Dam. The Avalon Visitor Center houses exhibits detailing 300 years of Patapsco history.

UMBC has a 25m indoor pool (4'6" to 5'6") located in the Aquatics Center, that is great for lane sprints and aquatic calisthenics. Also located at the RAC is UMBC's Olympic-size outdoor pool (6' to 6'6"), for a strong lane-swim workout.  NOTE: The pool may close due to sporting events or other reasons, so check their web site for availability.
 
GETTING IN:  $2 per person!!  Check to see that we don't have a Youth Pass for Maryland State Parks.  This allows us to get into parks free of charge except during the summer months.  NOTE: the UMBC pool is open to the public for a charge of $5/Adult and $2/Child .  NOTE: The group may be able to be able to use the pool for free if they are sponsored by a current or emeritus UMBC faculty member!

DIRECTIONS: From Baltimore Approx. 0.3 Hours

Avalon/Glen Artney/Orange Grove/Lost Lake Areas - From the Beltway (I-695) Take Rt. 1 (Exit 12-A) toward Elkridge. Follow Rt. 1 South about 3 miles to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.  From I -95 take I-195 to Rt. 1 (Exit 3) toward Elkridge to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.

NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY:  North Arundel Hospital
301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 410-787-4000

OUTING HIGHLIGHTS:   Hike dodged the snow by 1/2 hour; kids walked well and had fun.  Pool was fun for them even though nobody could swim.

OUTING SUGGESTIONS:  The swinging bridge can intimidate younger kids.



OUTING #2 DATE: February 17-19, 2006

TEAM: Digital Harbor High School

ACTIVITIES:  Camping

DESTINATION:  Blackburn Cabin

This semi-primitive rustic cabin near the Appalacian Trail in Virginia offers wood stove heating, and a professional kitchen for cooking for large groups.  It sleeps about 25 people comfortably.  The  cabin is owned and operated by the Potomac Appalacian Trail Club.

GETTING IN:  Currently $110 per night.  Contact the Potomac Appalacian Trail Club.
If you need to contact PATC Rental Information directly:
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Cabin Rental Information
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180
Telephone: (703) 242-0315
Reservation hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Thursday-Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

DIRECTIONS:  From Baltimore, MD - approx. 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Directions are provided with the cabin is rented.


OUTINGS #3 and #4 DATE: February 25, 2006

TEAM: Franciscan Youth Center and College Gardens Community Center

ACTIVITIES:  Hike and Maple Sugaring at Oregon Ridge State Park

DESTINATION:   Oregon Ridge Park  (Cockeysville, MD)
Oregon Ridge Park has 1,043 acres designed for hiking, swimming, or environmental education.  Also, during the late-winter/early-spring season, the park has an extensive maple sugaring exhibit.  The exhibit covers all aspects of maple sugaring including spile making, maple tree recognition and tapping, sap collection, and making maple syrup and candy.  There are also movies about this subject.

GETTING IN:  Free of Charge!

DIRECTIONS:  From Baltimore, MD - approx. 20 minutes

Directions to the Beach and Nature Center:
Take I-695 toward Towson.  Take I-83 North (Exit 24).  Continue North to Exit 20-B (Shawan Rd. West).  At first light make a left. (Beaver Dam Rd.).  Make an immediate right (between the red shed and the Oregon Grill).  Go across bridge.  Fork right (following ONE WAY signs).  You will see the Beach Building on left...parking is on grass.  Continue to the paved parking for Nature Center.  Nature Center is located at top of path.

 NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY:   St. Joseph Medical Center
7601 York Rd.
TOWSON, MD 21204
(410) 337-1000

OUTING HIGHLIGHTS:  Before the hike, some the kids and adults explored the various amphibians at the nature center.  One volunteer helped kids overcome their fears of amphibians by teaching them how to handle them!  During the hike, it happened to be a warm February day and one group of kids enjoyed rolling down the hillside.  Also, one group sat next to a lake while having lunch at the picnic tables...it was that warm outside.  The maple sugaring itself was great as the volunteer provided all the kids and adults with maple sugaring information, told us what kind of tree to look for that would be good for tapping maple sap from, and then had the kids help tap the trees for actual sap.  We picked a good tree for tapping as the maple sap just flowed right away.   The kids also got to taste the two different types of maple syrup they had on display for tasting.  We bought some maple sugar candy so that the kids and adults could try some.  Some of the kids had interest in viewing a historic house right near the nature center.  They were fascinated with the historic items that demonstrated how it was to live during that time period (late 1800s).

OUTING SUGGESTIONS:  In the future, plan to go maple sugaring in the morning, perhaps when it is not so crowded.  There must have been at least 40 people on the maple sugaring tour, which made it last longer and not personalized.  Also, having a scavenger hunt seemed to be a fun experience for some of the kids.