The BICO Monthly Outings Summary

September, 2006


OUTING #1 DATE: September 16, 2006

TEAM:  Dickey Hill Elementary School

ACTIVITIES:  Biking

DESTINATION:  C&O Canal National Historic Park, Geogetown, MD

The C&O Canal is a living reminder of a time when America depended greatly on its waterways for transportation.  The Canal stretches 184.5 miles along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, MD.  
 
GETTING IN:  The bicycles were rented at Big Wheel Bikes, which is located at 1034 33rd St. NW, Georgetown, DC (202-337-0254).  Rental are typically $35 per day, a sizable discount may be available for non-profit organizations servicing youth groups.  The staff at Big Wheel Cycles was very professional and helpful.  Big wheels is located in the heart of Georgetown, so parking is very difficult and expensive, but access to the C&O is 30 yards from the store.

DIRECTIONS: From Baltimore about 1-1.5 Hours
Turn LEFT onto S GREENE ST/MD-295 S. Continue to follow MD-295 S (31.3 miles)
Merge onto US-50 W/NEW YORK AVE NE toward WASHINGTON (Crossing into DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA). (2.3 miles)
Keep RIGHT at the fork to go on NEW YORK AVE NE.  (3.0 miles)
NEW YORK AVE NE becomes MT VERNON PL NW.  (0.1 miles)
MT VERNON PL NW becomes MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW.  (0.7 miles)
Enter next roundabout and take 4th exit onto RHODE ISLAND AVE NW.  (0.3 miles)
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto M ST NW.  (1.  miles)
Turn LEFT onto 31ST ST NW.  (0.0 miles)
Turn RIGHT onto BLUES ALY NW.  (0.1 miles)
Turn RIGHT onto WISCONSIN AVE NW.  (0.0 miles)

NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY:  George Washington Univ Hosp
900 23rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20037-2377
Phone: 202-715-4000
0.82 miles from your search location

OUTING HIGHLIGHTS:   Overall biking activity was very successful.  The kids had a great time despite the less than optimal weather.  We rode a round trip route from mile 1 on the C&O Towpath, up to near Mile 6 or 7.  We stopped for a snack at Fletcher’s Cove (mile 3.1) and then returned to Fletcher’s Cove for lunch.  The 12 kids were divided among ability levels, which allowed us to operate in small groups. 

The bikes were all ready for us upon arrival and were well-sized for a large group of 5th graders.  Helmets were included and fit well.  Big wheels also provided the group with a portable pump, wrench, and a patch kit for any blown tires.

OUTING SUGGESTIONS:  Bike rental is also available at Fletcher’s cove.  Bikes are single speed and bike sizes are primarily for adults.  It would be worth checking to see in the future if they have expanded their offering.  Thompson's Boat Center, which is next to the Potomac River in Georgetown and about a mile from the C&O canal, also rents bicycles and is worth checking into.


OUTINGS #2 DATE: September 16, 2006

TEAM: College Gardens Community Center

ACTIVITIES:  Camping

DESTINATION:  Tuckahoe State Park, Queen Anne, MD

Accoring to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources web site (www.dnr.state.md.us):   The focal point of Tuckahoe State Park is Tucjahoe Creek.  Tuckahoe Creek, a quiet country stream bordered for most of its length by wooded marshlands, runs through the length of the park. A 60-acre lake offers boating and fishing. The park offers 20 miles of scenic hiking, biking and equestrian trails, flat water canoeing, hunting, picnicking, as well as a recycled tire playground for children. The park offers activities and special events on a seasonal basis. Activities include day camps, Scales & Tales Program, and canoe trips.

Tuckahoe State Park
13070 Crouse Mill Road
Queen Anne, MD 21657
(410) 820-1668

GETTING IN:  Youth Campite Rental is only $15 per night.  Call 1-88-432-2267 for reservations.

DIRECTIONS:  From Baltimore about 2-2.5 hours.
Tuckahoe State Park is located approximately 35 miles east of the Bay Bridge, just off MD Rt. 404, on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Take MD295 South (Baltimore Washington Parkway)
Exit MD295 at I695 Baltimore Beltway East towards Glen Burnie
Exit I695 at I97 South
Exit  I97 South at Rt. 50/301.
Travel east on Rt. 50/301 across the Bay Bridge.
Rt. 50/301 splits, bear to the right on Rt. 50.
Make a left at the intersection of Rt. 50 and Rt. 404.
Go approximately 8 miles until you come to the intersection of Rt. 404 and Rt. 480.
Make a left on Rt. 480.
To your immediate left take Eveland Road.
Once on Eveland Road follow directional signs to area of choice.

NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY:  Memorial Hosp at Easton MD
219 South Washington Street
Easton, MD 21601-2996
Phone: 410-822-1000
15.8 miles from your search location

Consult Park Ranger in case of medical emergency.

OUTING HIGHLIGHTS:  We visited the Adkins Arboretum (part of the State Park) which featured 4 different ecosystems.  We hiked through 2 of these and did a scavenger hunt that the kids enjoyed.
The recycled tire playground next to the lake and picnic area was a big hit.  The kids really enjoyed the Sunday canoe trip.  We rented boats from the park and went on the lake.  One area of the lake features a winding waterway (15-20 feet wide) which is like being on a river.  There were a lot of water plants, turtles, and Canadian geese.  The children enjoyed seeing the animals and being in the boats.  We brought crayons and drawing paper for at the campsite.  Kids took them into tents and entertained themselves during the rain.

OUTING SUGGESTIONS:  If camping in the youth group area, there are restrooms but no showers.  However there are showers in the regular campground which is very close to the youth sites.


OUTINGS #3 DATE: September 29, 2006

TEAM: Franciscan Youth Center

ACTIVITIES:  Hiking and Biking

DESTINATION:  Gunpowder River State Park and NCR Trail, Monkton, MD

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources web site (www.dnr.state.md.us): Gunpowder Falls State Park (nearly 18,000 acres in Harford and Baltimore Counties) was established to protect the stream valleys of the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls and the Gunpowder River, which begins at Days Cove where the Big and Little Gunpowders converge. A variety of topography exists in this long, narrow park, from tidal marshes and wetlands to steep, rugged slopes.

There are more than 100 miles of trails, including the 21 mile Northern Central Railroad (NCR) Trail. The park features excellent trout fishing opportunities, as well as other freshwater and tidal fishing areas. Park areas include Hereford Area, along York Rd. in Parkton; the NCR Trail which extends from Ashland to the Pennsylvania line; the Central Area which extends from Baldwin to Days Cove along both river valleys and includes the historic village of Jerusalem; the Hammerman Area which is located in Chase near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Grace Quarters Road and offers a swimming beach on the Gunpowder River; and Dundee Creek Marina, also located in Chase which offers boat launching, rowboat rental, fuel and a marina store.

GETTING IN:  Hiking was free of charge.  Bicycles were rented at $9.00 per hour from Monton Bike and Tube Rental, 1900 Monkton Road, Monkton, MD 21111 (410) 771-4058.  

DIRECTIONS:  From Baltimore about 30 mins.
To the Gunpowder South Hiking Trail
>From I-83, take exit 27 onto Mount Carmel Road heading east.
Turn left heading north on York Road for 1.7 miles.
The parking area is on the left before crossing the Big Gunpowder Falls.
The Gunpowder South Trail has white blazes and begins about 40 yards from the river's edge on the east side of York Road across an open field (opposite the parking lot).

To Monkton Bike Shop
From I-83, take exit 27 onto Mount Carmel Road heading east.
Turn right heading north on York Road for 0.2 miles.
Take a left on Monkton Road and travel about 3-4 miles.

NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY:  Greater Baltimore Med Center
6701 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21204-6892
Phone: 443-849-2000
12.8 miles from your search location

OUTING HIGHLIGHTS:  The kids enjoyed the one hour hike next to the Gunpowder river.  A more challenging hike would be the Panther Branch Trail, which is at the same location as the Gunpowder South Trail.  In the heat of the Summer, the trail head location affords a picnic spot next to the river.  There are no tables at this location, but a picnic blanket will do and there is a place to wade in the river.

Biking on the NCR Trail was wonderful.  Some of the kids made it within 3 miles of the Pennsylvania border in the 2 hours that we alloted ourselves for bike riding.  We chose to eat lunch at picnic tables next to Monkton Station, which is across the street from Monkton Bike and Tube Rental.

OUTING SUGGESTIONS:  Split up the group by their ability to bicycle.