The BICO Monthly Outings Summary

October, 2004

OUTING #1 DATE: October 16, 2004

TEAM: The Learning Inc.

ACTIVITIES: Hiking along the Gunpowder River and Corn Maze Navigation\

DESTINATION: Gunpowder River/Prettyboy Reservoir and The River Valley Ranch

GETTING IN: Corn Maze Entrance Fee: $7/adult; $5/child < 12

DIRECTIONS:

To River Valley Ranch

From Baltimore, east: Take I-695 to I-83 north. I-83 to exit 27, Hereford. Turn left onto Mount Carmel Road, proceed to Falls Road (Rt. 25) where you will see blinking red lights and turn right. Take Falls Road 4 1/2 miles to Grave Run Road. Turn right and continue 3.2 miles to RVR.

From Baltimore west: Take I-695 to I-795 to Route 30. Follow Route 30 to Hampstead and turn right at UPPER Beckleysville Road (just past the Fire Station in downtown Hampstead). Follow Upper Beckleysville Road until you reach a stop sign at Brick Store Rd. Turn left on Brick Store Rd and then turn right almost immediately on Beckleysville Rd. At the next stop, turn left onto Falls Road. Proceed for a few minutes on Falls road and then turn right onto Grave Run road and then several miles to the Ranch.

To Gunpowder Falls State Park

Begin on I-695 toward New York (I-95 N)

Continue on I-695 E

Take Left exit #31C/White Marsh Blvd/White Marsh toward MD-43 E

Continue on White Marsh Blvd (MD-43 E)

Bear Right on Belair Rd (US-1)

Bear Right on Jerusalem RD

Arrive at 2813 Jerusalem RD, Kingsville on the Right

NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY:

Union Memorial Hospital
4991 Mercantile Rd
Baltimore, MD 21236

(410) 838-9200

OUTING HIGHLIGHTS:

The kids enjoyed hiking along the Gunpowder River.  They were very excited that we started at the base of the Prettyboy Dam.  Prior to the hike, we sat down in a circle and discussed the pros and cons of dams with regard to the environment.  The kids were very interactive and participated in the majority of the discussion.  Seeing the dam in action with lots of water being released increased/stimulated their enthusiasm for talking and hiking.

OUTING SUGGESTIONS:

The corn maze was less of “a hit” as it was too difficult to navigate—not only for the kids but also the adults.  Would not suggest this particular activity unless perhaps for older high school age kids who may have more patience and are up for a challenge.

OUTING #2 DATE: October 17, 2004

TEAM: CHOICE

ACTIVITIES: Organic Farm trip (Farming and the Food System)

DESTINATION: Cromwell Valley CSA

GETTING IN:

Admission free

DIRECTIONS:

Start on HARFORD RD (MD-147)

Bear LEFT on HILLEN RD

Continue on PERRING PKY (MD-41 N)

Turn LEFT on E JOPPA RD

Turn RIGHT on LITTLEWOOD RD

Turn LEFT on RUSHLEY RD

Turn RIGHT on OAKLEIGH RD

Bear RIGHT on CROMWELL BRIDGE RD (MD-567)

Arrive at 2002 CROMWELL BRIDGE RD, BALTIMORE, on the LEFT

NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY:

Maryland General Hospital

1714 Joan Ave, Parkville, MD

(410) 663-1278 

OUTING HIGHLIGHTS:

            The outing was very interactive.  The kids got a chance to harvest carrots, raspberries, and sweet potatoes and were allowed to bring these harvests home.  Nearing the end of the visit the kids helped to mulch a field of newly planted garlic.  It was great to see the kids help with the farm processes and be excited about it.  They also learned about the farm and how it works, during the tour.  Overall, it was fun and educational!  I believe this farm visit was more educational than previous farm visits in the past few years.  It was a working organic CSA and we got a private tour from one of the farmers.

OUTING SUGGESTIONS:

            This was a new location for outings.  If you help with planting or any work on the farm then you can get the hayride for free (as a work exchange).  The farmers are very flexible and helpful.  There is another farm (Weber’s Cider Mill) just down the street where kids can visit more farm animals and purchase a pumpkin. 

OUTING #3 DATE: October 29, 2004 – October 31, 2004

TEAM: Digital Harbor High School

ACTIVITIES: Camping Trip at Assateague

DESTINATION: Assateague Island National Seashore

GETTING IN:

Maryland: $20 vehicle entrance fee

Camping sites: $16 per night

DIRECTIONS:

Begin on MD-100 E

Turn Left on Ritchie Hwy

Take ramp onto US-301 N (Portions toll)

Take the Ocean City/US-50 exit onto Ocean Gtwy (US-50 E)

Turn Left on MD-404

Continue on Seashore Hwy (SR-404)

Continue on SR-404-BR

Turn Right on S Main St (US-13-BR)

Continue on Seashore Hwy (SR-404)

Continue on US-113 S

Turn Left on Bay St (MD-376)

Continue to follow MD-376

Bear Right on Stephen Decatur Hwy (MD-611)

Turn Right on National Seashore Ln

Arrive at 7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin on the Right

NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY:

Atlantic General Hospital

9733 Healthway Dr
Berlin, MD
(410) 641-1100

OUTING HIGHLIGHTS:

We had a great Assateague Halloween weekend outing. We brought 21 kids and 10 adults. We got down there Friday night under the cover of darkness and had a challenging, yet under control, time setting up camp. We awoke to cloudy skies Saturday morning. By late morning everyone naturally migrated to the beach participating in activities of their choice—exploring the beach, flying kites, wading in the ocean, carving pumpkins, riding bikes, observing the wildlife (for some reason we saw more ponies than on any previous visit), and a 2-hour game of football that both the boys and girls played in. The kids cooked a significant portion of the meals (grilled cheese with tomato and soup for lunch, fajitas with huge steaks we grilled on the bbq pit and a pancake and egg breakfast) and really enjoyed being creative. There were a number of returning kids, but a number of kids that had never been camping or even to the ocean. By Saturday afternoon the skies cleared and we had a gorgeous evening with a near full moon that lit up the campground. Dr. Boden pointed out and explained the hazy ring around the moon and shared her binoculars for a closer look at the full moon. Saturday night we had the traditional campfire until the wee hours (fortunately we gained an hour of sleep because the clocks were set back an hour on Saturday night). Most of the kids had actually gone to sleep probably because they were beat from the days’ activities before the campfire was doused. Dr. Boden mentioned to me that was great to see the diverse group of kids get along outside of the school, and that many of the kids you wouldn’t recognize from their behavior in school. Lastly, since it was Halloween weekend a couple of the teachers and their students put together a haunted tent complete with decorations, sounds, actors, and a story. Sunday was beautiful in the mid 70s and we slowly made our way home. Although there were some new youths everyone worked and played well together. As usual, everyone seemed to like staying for two nights.

OUTING SUGGESTIONS:

We had intended to do seining, but never actually got around to doing it, as well as setting up an orienteering course. There is also a visitor center that we usually visit, but didn’t make it to during business hours.