Ten-year-old Hazel Vogel of Towson is currently in Les Misérables, a production of NETworks, a touring company. From Minneapolis to Cincinnati and yes, Baltimore’s Hippodrome, Hazel has been playing young Cosset. “Ever since Hazel could talk, she could sing,” says her mother, Kristin Vogel. “At age two she took ballet. And at three she was singing everything from Frosty the Snowman to Lady Gaga. We went to the Hippodrome as a family and before we knew it, she had memorized the words to Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, and Grease.”

Like any little girl, Hazel went to different camps, including sleepaway at Sandy Hill on the Eastern Shore and a cooking camp. She played soccer and did gymnastics. “But her true passion was singing and dancing,” says Vogel. So, in 2020, at age seven, her parents found the perfect camp for her, iMAGiNATiON 101 Summer Arts Camp, where children have the unique opportunity to be part of the musical theater world through classes taught by outstanding performers.

Today, the camp market has definitely widened from the s’mores and crocheted potholder day camps of yesteryear. Camps range from traditional day and overnight camps to specialty camps like the one Hazel attended. Traditional overnight camps have ramped up their facilities and offerings by adding activities that pertain to our changing world and where kids have an opportunity to try something totally different. Arts and crafts no longer means making lanyards, popsicle projects, and tile trivets. A camp might have pottery, silverworks, and even glassblowing. Other choices might be digital music, cooking, digital photography, and STEM programs.

Marty Rochlin, director of Camp Airy, an all-boys overnight camp that’s celebrating its 100th birthday, says, “We have something for everyone. Whether it’s to express himself on the basketball court, in the creative arts studio, on the stage, or in the kitchen, we have it.”

“The camp now offers go-karting, BMX biking, skateboarding, zip-lining, scooters, ropes courses, climbing, caving, and outdoor cooking,” he continues. “Over the last few summers, we have added STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math]. For example, at the woodshop, kids aren’t just doing crafts, but actually designing and building.”

When parents think of specialty camps, they should think beyond tennis, golf, computer, and music, though those are still going strong. There is cooking, programs focused on teamwork, self-reliance and leadership skills, wilderness skill-building, circus, drones, debate, and STEM camps. Specialty camps are usually shorter, averaging one week to two. There are also camps for kids with dyslexia, asthma, and diabetes. And if you want a camp with a little religion mixed in, you can find that, too. Camps are on college campuses, at private schools, by the Chesapeake Bay, in the country, and in the mountains. Many day camps offer extended-day programs.

Stacie Gottlieb, the summer camp director at St. Paul’s School, says, “This summer we have added Junior Drone Pilot, Robot X Games, and Circus Camp Stars. Robot X Games is a weeklong competition filled with some of the most exhilarating games and races ever experienced in a summer camp setting, including BMX Big Air, Stadium Super Trucks, Street Luge, SnowMobile Freestyle, and Moto X Quarter Pipe.”

All campers build, test, and race X Game-themed robots to compete in some of X Games’ most popular events. Moreover, campers will invent new events, building and shaping their own racetracks, obstacle courses, and barricades. Gottlieb says these experiences give kids exposure to new technology, and creative problem-solving, in a friendly competitive environment.

These camps join such old favorites in the St. Paul’s program as sports camps, Jedi Engineering LEGO, Cupcake Wars, and Baking Bootcamp. The cooking camps, operated by Tiny Chefs, are some of the most popular at St. Paul’s. Anna Reeves, Tiny Chefs’ founder, says, “Baking creates an amazing opportunity for kids to flex their independence, boost confidence, and take risks. And of course, they use math, science, and reading, and learn to work in small groups.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD ASK THE CAMP

◼ What is the philosophy and flavor of the camp?
◼ Who is the director and what is their background?
◼ Where do they get their staff from?
◼ How do they train them?
◼ How do they inspire their counselors?
◼ What is the age of the counselors?
◼ Do you have many counselors coming back?
◼ How do you communicate with parents
◼ How do they handle homesickness? (Overnight camp)
◼ How do they meet individual needs?
◼ Do they have a nurse or doctor or both on staff?

WHY CAMP?

Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association (ACA), says, “At camp everything is 100 percent in person.” Children have the opportunity to participate in human-powered activities and to benefit from personal and primary relations. “It’s something that’s missing today,” says Rosenberg. “Communicating, socializing, collaborating, solving problems, and listening are all eyeball-to-eyeball.

All these skills will be so important in their future.”

Remember Hazel? She went to iMAGiNATiON 101 for two summers. In 2020 virtually and the next year in person. “When I got the leading role, playing Matilda at age eight, it definitely gave me a lot of confidence,” she says. “And I made so many friends. They’ll text me good luck and
they keep in touch.” Hazel’s father, Scott Vogel, adds, “The camp really created a community where the kids were very supportive of each other.”

While every child isn’t destined for the Hippodrome, Rosenberg says, “The ACA believes that camp (day or overnight) provides an environment created just for children. At camp they learn real-life skills, develop self-esteem, and gain a sense of independence and community.

Whether children are playing, exploring nature, conquering new heights, or becoming part of a camp family, they are creating memories and skills that will last a lifetime.”

CAMP 101
If you’re looking at camps for your child, here are some questions to ask as you explore your options:

◼ Do you want a specialized, focused, or broad base camp?
◼ Do you want single gender or coed?
◼ Do you want the camp to be local or can it be further away?
◼ How long are the sessions? Do you want one week, two weeks, or more?
◼ What activities are offered?
◼ Do you want a structured camp where your child gets to experience everything or do you want one where your child can choose the activities they want to do?
◼ What interests does your child have? STEM, music, dance, sports?

2023 CAMP RESOURCE GUIDE

The following is a list of just some of the camps in or near Maryland offering everything from religious study and computer skills to sports training. Go to baltimoremagazine.com for a comprehensive list. For the most up-to-date information on rates and dates and to register, contact the camp directly or visit their website.

* Listings with an asterisk have an advertisement in the section that may provide more information.

ALL-MARYLAND SOCCER CAMP*
1000 Hilltop Cir., Baltimore, MD 21250. 410-292-5927. all-maryland.org.
Voted one of Maryland’s best sports camps, All-Maryland Soccer Camp gives kids of all skill levels a fun soccer experience while helping to improve skills. The camp is coed and open to campers ages six-13. Camp sessions are held at CCBC Essex June 19-30.

THE ASSOCIATED’S CENTER FOR JEWISH CAMPING
101 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201. 410-369-9237. associated.org.
The Associated’s Center for Jewish Camping is the focal point of Jewish camp advocacy and activity in the Baltimore Jewish community. Through community outreach, education, and public awareness, the center aims to maximize the number of children attending Jewish camp, ensuring a vibrant Jewish future.

BALTIMORE CLAYWORKS
5707 Smith Ave., Baltimore, MD 21209. 410-578-1919. baltimoreclayworks.org.
Baltimore Clayworks offers 10 weeks of full-day camps for children ages six-nine and 10-12 years, and half-day camps for those 12-16. Campers will become masters of their craft while exploring hand-building and potter’s-wheel techniques to create their own inspired clay masterpieces. All camps run Monday-Friday, and class fees include all materials and firing. Classes will be from June 20-August 25. Call for rates and session dates.

BALTIMORE LAB SCHOOL
2220 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218. 410-261-5500. baltimorelabschool.org.
Designed for students in grades one-12 with learning differences, this program has a low student-teacher ratio, onsite specialists, and an innovative arts-based curriculum. Call for rates and session dates. After-school program available. Programs from July 3-28.

BALTIMORE CHESAPEAKE BAY OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
1900 Eagle Dr., Baltimore, MD 21207. 410-448-1721. outwardboundbaltimore.org/programs/classic.
Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School has been changing lives through challenge and discovery for more than 30 years. This summer, students ages 12 and up can experience day camp and expeditions such as eight-day backpacking and rock climbing on the Appalachian Trail and a canoeing adventure along the Potomac River. The Outward Bound curriculum and expert instructors help to develop leadership, confidence, compassion, and skills for the real world. Let your child discover “their new possible” during one of Outward Bound’s challenging, character-building adventures this summer. Call for rates and session dates.

BETH TFILOH*
400 Delight Meadows Rd., Reisterstown, MD 21136. 410-517-3451. btcamps.org.
Located on 70 acres, “BT Camps” offers a range of traditional and specialty camps for kids ages 2-15. The site includes ballfields, hiking trails, the Sachs Family Challenge Course with two 60-foot towers, a creative arts center, the Sachs Nature Center, a regulation-sized multi-purpose sports court, and an amphitheater for special events. The aquatics area encompasses three pools, dual water slides, a boating lake with a 60-foot-tall, 90 foot-long slide, kayaks, corcls, water mats, and a splash pad interactive water area. Camps run in eight week-long sessions from June 19-August 11.

CIRCUS CAMP STARS
Multiple locations, including McDonogh School, St. Paul’s School in Howard County through HoCo Recreation and Parks, and Key School. 410-833-6763. circuscampstars.com.
If you can picture your little clown happily learning to juggle, walk a tightrope, spin plates, or ride a unicycle, Circus Camp Stars may just be the ticket. Aimed at kids ages seven to 15, the camp is taught by full-time profession entertainers—many are Ringling Bros.-trained—and includes a Friday performance for campers to show off their newly learned skills. Ten one-week sessions beginning June 12.

COLUMBIA ACADEMY
Five locations in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Fulton. 410-312-7413. columbiaacademy.com.
Elementary and middle school camp is open to children from five years old to ninth grade. Campers will explore cityscapes from around the world, from mountain expeditions to rainforest adventures to the treasures of the outback. With hands-on experiments and engaging games, they will build, investigate, and play their way through the summer. Activities include weekly field trips, nature exploration, crafts, science, PE, skits, and more. Camps run from June 12-August 18.

GETTYSBURG COLLEGE SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS*
300 N. Washington St., Campus Box 2457, Gettysburg, PA 17325. 717-337-6924. gettysburg.edu/summercamps.
On a beautiful campus in a world-famous town, Gettysburg College offers opportunities for rising 10th through 12th graders. One-week programs are led by subject-matter experts–Gettysburg College faculty, staff, and students. Subjects include psychology, creative writing, civic engagement, 3D printing, and Civil War Studies. Check website for rates, session dates, and residential (overnight) camp information.

GILMAN SUMMER!*
5407 Roland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21210. 410-323-3800. gilman.edu/community/gilman-summer.
Enrichment and skill-building programs for kids in preschool through 10th grade are designed and taught by Gilman faculty and field experts. The programs will be chock-full of enrichment opportunities and action-packed fun activities. Some of the programs include aquatics, mini-camp division, day camp, UA Sportslab, senior camp, specialty camps, tech camps, young leaders programs, and bold summers. They also offer extended day. Camps run June 20-August 11.

GLENELG*
12793 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21042. 410-531-8600 ext. 2157. glenelg.org/summer.
Glenelg offers a variety of camps, from traditional day and sports camps to specialized camps for everyone from the budding chess player to nature explorers. There are adventure camps, and many campers can take advantage of the on-site outdoor pool. Camps are open to children from pre-kindergarten to grade 10. Camps run June 20-July 28.

HARFORD DAY SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS*
715 Moores Mill Rd., Bel Air, MD 21014. 410-838-4848. harfordday.org.
Offered on the beautiful 12-acre campus of Harford Day School, summer programs serve children from age three through to those entering fifth grade. (There are limited options for middle and high school.) Camps run 10 week-long sessions and every week offer programming that partners with local and statewide vendors, including Dynasty Sports Academy, Crack an Egg Cooking School, and Wildlife Adventures. There are half- and fullday options as well as extended care for an extra fee. Sessions run June 12-August 18.

HOWARD COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
8510 High Ridge Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21043. 410-313-2787. hocoarts.org.
Programs are for children entering grades K-seven and are taught by professional artists and teachers. Each Friday, family and friends are invited to a fun exhibition spotlighting the work created throughout the week. Camps are offered in one-week, full- or half-day sessions, and there’s before- and after-care. Programs are held at the Howard County Center for the Arts. Programs are open to the public, regardless of residency, and sessions run from June 26-August 25.

ID TECH CAMPS HELD AT TOWSON UNIVERSITY
8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252. 1-888-709-8324. idtech.com.
Students ages seven-17 code apps, design video games, engineer robots, build a laptop, produce a YouTube series, and more. Offered are weeklong camps with day and overnight available. Kids meet new friends and gain a competitive edge for school and future STEM careers. Also available at the University of Maryland in College Park. Check the website for rates and session dates.

J CAMPS*
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills, MD 21117. 410-559-2391. jcc.org.
J Camps’ programs provide a safe environment where lifelong friendships develop and a sense of family, teamwork, and camp spirit abounds. The camps are operated by a dynamic team of year-round professionals and summer staff who engage young people in everything from athletics to the arts. Programs start with Noah’s Ark for preschoolers and go through traditional day camps and specialty camps for all ages. There’s also a Counselor in Training (CIT) program and an inclusion program specially formatted for campers with a range of learning, developmental,
social, emotional, and physical disabilities. June 12-August 25.

MARYVALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
11300 Falls Rd., Lutherville, MD 21093. 410-252-3366. maryvale.com/summer-camp.
Maryvale Preparatory School offers a range of camps to help encourage and foster children’s development inside and outside of the classroom during the summer months. There are options for sports, arts, and theater, all led by varsity coaches and respected professionals, and open to Maryvale students and those from area schools. The camps will run from June 5-July 14.

MCDONOGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS*
8600 McDonogh Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117. 443-544-7100. mcdonogh.org.
For more than 80 years, McDonogh has been offering summer programs for campers ages four to 17, including traditional day camps, arts and academic experiences, and sports clinics. All of the almost 60 camps are conducted on McDonogh’s 800-acre campus, which includes extensive outdoor athletic fields, three playgrounds, two fishing ponds, 17 tennis courts, a state-of-the-art rock-climbing tower, and high and low ropes courses. Indoor facilities include a 54,000-square-foot field house with seven basketball courts, an aquatic center that includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a wrestling room. A fine arts center boasts a 580-seat theater with modern stage, lighting and sound, black box, music room, and set design room, and there are multiple computer labs, art rooms, classrooms, and dormitory space to accommodate more than 100 students. Call or visit the website for programs, dates, and rates.

MELWOOD CAMP ACCOMPLISH*
9035 Ironsides Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662. 301-870-3226. melwood.org/recreation-programs/camp.
Operated by Melwood, a nonprofit that supports children, youth, and adults with disabilities, Camp Accomplish offers a day camp for kids five-18 and an overnight camp for campers eight-18. At day camp, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., young people can engage in equestrian programs, creative arts, climbing wall activities, nature programs, culinary arts, and more. Overnight camps run Sunday to Friday. Campers enjoy the activities of day camp with the added benefit of staying in comfortable, air-conditioned cabins. Small camper groups are staffed based on each camper’s individual abilities. Call or visit the website for programs, dates, and rates.

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL’S “A MAGICAL SUMMER”*
1300 E. Northern Pkwy., Baltimore, MD 21239. 410-433-8800. mercyhighschool.com/summer-camp.
A Magical Summer at Mercy is open to rising sixth-ninth grade girls. Campers will be coached and instructed by Mercy faculty and coaches, area professionals, and Mercy Girl athletes and artists. Weekly sessions are offered in different areas, such as dance and musical theater. There are also athletic camps, such as soccer, volleyball, and lacrosse. Check the website for rates and dates.

PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE – PARK CAMPS*
2425 Old Court Rd., Baltimore, MD 21208. 410-339-4120. parkcamps.com.
Park’s experienced staff welcomes children ages three-15 for an exciting summer full of adventures on their 100-acre campus. There are a wide variety of camps geared to different age groups and interests from day and specialty camps to athletic camps. Full and half-day sessions available. Camps run from June 26-July 28.

PEABODY PREPARATORY SUMMER SESSIONS*
21 E. Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. 667-208-6500. peabody.jhu.edu/preparatory.
The acclaimed music school offers many genre-specific summer programs for students, including pianists, dancers, string students, and guitarists as well as an all-inclusive music academy. Summer is an opportunity to study with the world-class faculty at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. While most programs are located at the downtown location, locations vary. Baltimore BeatLab is offered online, and the AileyCamp Baltimore dance camp is free to Baltimore City Public School students. Visit the website for specifics related to each session, including pre-requirements to enroll. June 20-August 11.

RED HOT SUMMER CAMPS AT RPCS*
5204 Roland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21210. 410-323-5500. rpcs.org/summer.
Operated by Roland Park Country School, Red Hot Summer Camps offer an abundance of options, starting with the tiniest campers (age one-five) at My First Camp, through to its new Summer Scholars program, which will offer deeper learning and educational enrichment for rising students in grades nine-12. In between are camps for every interest, from sports and the culinary arts to STEM and performing arts. Visit the website for detailed information on camps by theme and week, with multiple camps running in sessions from June 20-August 7.

SUMMER AT JEMICY
11 Celadon Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117. 410-653-2700. jemicyschool.org/community/summer-at-jemicy.
Summer at Jemicy, run by Jemicy School, which educates children with dyslexia and other related language-based learning differences, offers a new and reimagined program for the 2023 season. With more course offerings and schedule options than ever before, there is something for everyone. The coed programs are for Jemicy and non-Jemicy students. The camp for grades one-five is a perfect combination of learning and fun. At Middle School Medley (for grades six-eight) children can hone their writing, reading, and math skills, and/or choose to indulge in visual arts, science, engineering, and more. The Upper School Masterclasses (nine-12) will appeal to students who want a jump on their college essay and common application, learn to navigate the visual arts college process, or prepare for general theater auditions. Students can also refine writing, math skills, and more. Sessions run June 26-July 28.

SUMMER AT THE ST. PAUL’S SCHOOLS*
11152 Falls Rd., Brooklandville, MD 21022. 410-821-3058. stpaulsmd.org/summer.
The St. Paul’s Schools offer a range of coed and single-gender programs for children ages four-16. Located on its 120-acre campus, there is Preschool Camp, Gatorland Day, Counselor in Training, academics, sports, arts, cooking and more. In addition, this summer Junior Drone Pilot, Cooking Around the World, Circus Camp Stars, Camp Jam, World of Wizards, and Robot X Games have been added. For session dates and rates,
check the website.

SUMMER AT GARRISON FOREST*
Garrison Forest School, 300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117. 410-559-3433. gfs.org/summer.
Summer at Garrison Forest has a variety of options, including traditional day camps, specialty camps, and residential programs. Campers can play sports, including riding and polo, express themselves in performing arts, make STEM discoveries, learn to cook, and more. Located near I-695 on Garrison Forest’s 110-acre campus, there are week-by-week signup, after-care, lunch, and swimming options available. Ten weeks of programs for boys and girls ages three and up. Rates vary by program. Summer at Garrison Forest runs from June 5-August 11.

SUMMER CAMP AT THE ODYSSEY SCHOOL
3257 Bridle Ridge Ln., Lutherville, MD 21093. 410-580-5551. theodysseyschool.org.
The Odyssey School’s camp is a specialized five-week summer program for children with language learning differences, for first grade through eighth grade, held on the school’s 42-acre wooded campus in Baltimore County. The camp incorporates an individualized, structured academic experience in the mornings, designed to promote ongoing skills development in the areas of reading, written language, and math, followed by afternoons of outdoor activities and athletics. Full day camp is 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and half day is 8:30 a.m.–noon. Call or check for rates and session schedule. Camp runs from June 26-July 28.

According to the 1860 Census, more than one out of five people living in Howard County was an enslaved person. First brought to the county to work in the tobacco fields, slaves were later used in the mining and production of iron in and around Elkridge. Simply put, over the century and a half that slavery was institutionalized and legally enforced in Howard County, a significant part of the economy was built upon the backs of enslaved African Americans.

At the same time, it was home to abolitionists and an increasing number of free Blacks in the decades leading up to the Civil War. Geographically, the area was centrally situated—between railroads and the Potomac and Patuxent rivers—serving as a way station on the Underground Railroad to free country in the northern United States and Canada.

As a result, Howard County was also home to a jail, which remains standing, that incarcerated fugitive slaves. Additionally, it was home to a stone-built courthouse, which remains standing as well, that heard the cases of those charged with encouraging and assisting enslaved African Americans to flee their masters.

Built in 1851 and located at 1 Emory Street in the historic district of Ellicott City, the Howard County Jail held runaways, including Augusta Spriggs—who was detained while ads for her master in Prince George’s County to claim her went out—and Richard Martin, who was held as a fugitive without a pass. Augustus Collins was held here, too, while awaiting trial for inciting an insurrection among the Black population.

From its construction in 1843 to the end of slavery in Maryland on November 1, 1864, the Howard County Courthouse, also in the historic district of Ellicott City, held judicial proceedings related to legal cases involving those charged with encouraging enslaved persons to run away. Arguably, the most famous case here involved well-known Underground Railroad “general” William Chaplin of the American Anti-Slavery Society, who was arrested in August 1850 for having “abducted, stolen, taken, and carried out from the city of Washington” two fugitive slaves. But there were other cases, too, involving Howard County free Blacks such as Warner Cook, who was charged with enticing those enslaved to run away.

“These places and stories are important,” says Dr. Everlene Cunningham, chair of the Howard County Center of African American Culture, which curated the county’s The Simpsonville Freetown Legacy Trail. Named for the local community of early free Black landowners, the trail commemorates several places where oral history says Harriet Tubman led fugitives fleeing slavery, as well as the county’s historic jail and courthouse. “These are stories you didn’t get in school growing up.”

Maryland has the most documented successful escapes from slavery, and, in recent years, counties have been rediscovering—and highlighting—more historical sites in the state, considered the epicenter of the Underground Railroad.

Maryland has also been at the forefront of Underground Railroad research, documentations, and commemorations, which includes the now annual state recognition of September as International Underground Railroad month, signed by Gov. Larry Hogan two years ago.

That said, there’s no reason to wait until the fall to discover the indispensable role Maryland played in the Underground Railroad.

Howard County’s Network to Freedom and Underground Railroad

The Visit Howard County website highlights several stops on The Simpsonville Freetown Legacy Trail, including Locust Cemetery, where oral history says Harriet Tubman and the fugitive slaves she was guiding rested on their journey north. The cemetery is situated at the intersection of Harriet Tubman Lane and Freetown Road.

More information on the complete list of sites, as well as Tubman artifacts and belongings, can be found at the Howard County Center of African American Culture Museum in Columbia. The Center also sells Seeking Freedom: A History of the Underground Railroad in Howard County, Maryland, which was written by The Center’s since-deceased founder Wylene Burch, staff, and a team of researchers. The Center also hosts an exhibition on Maryland’s 4th United States Colored Infantry Regiment, which saw action in the Civil War in North Carolina and Virginia.

The Howard County Historical Society Museum on Frederick Road in Ellicott City also includes exhibits related to those who escaped from slavery in Howard County.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center

It’s estimated that Harriet Tubman helped free 70 people over 13 trips back and forth to the Eastern Shore. The new Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Dorchester County serves as a museum and gateway to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway and provides visitors with the opportunity to walk in the abolitionist’s footsteps.

Among the destinations on the Byway are the Brodess Farm, where Tubman grew up in slavery; the Bucktown General Store, the site of her first act of defiance; the Tuckahoe Neck Meeting House, a gathering place for Quaker abolitionists—some of the most effective anti-slavery activists—and Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington, Delaware, which honors Tubman and Thomas Garrett, who lived in nearby Quaker Hill.

Following In His Footsteps—Maryland’s Frederick Douglass Driving Tour

Organized online at the Visit Maryland website, this wide-ranging tour features sites from the Eastern Shore—where the famed abolitionist, writer, orator, and diplomat’s life began—to Central Maryland and the Capitol Region. (Douglass’ historic Cedar Hill home, now a museum, in Anacostia is not to be missed.)

Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born close to Tuckahoe Creek near Holme Hill Farm. Outdoor exhibits chronicle his early life here, as well as his enslavement at Miles River Neck and St. Michaels. Sites in Easton on the tour include the former Talbot County Jail, where Douglass was locked up for a week after attempting to gain his freedom by paddling a log canoe to the upper head of the Chesapeake Bay.

The Talbot County Courthouse in Easton, the location of Douglass’ famous “Self-Made Men” speech in 1878, honors him with a statue. Also on the tour site list: Bethel A.M.E Church and Asbury United Methodist Church, where Douglass also spoke in 1878.

“I am an Eastern Shoreman, with all that name implies,” Douglass once said. “Eastern Shore corn and Eastern Shore pork gave me my muscle. I love Maryland and the Eastern Shore!”

Among the key sites in Baltimore related to Douglass’ escape to freedom are the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, which documents his life and working experience in the city, and the President Street Station (now home to the Baltimore Civil War Museum), where at 20 years of age in 1838 he successfully disguised himself and boarded a train for Philadelphia.

Hagerstown Underground Railroad Trail: Sites of Freedom and Resistance

From the mid 1700s through the Civil War period, African Americans were enslaved in Washington County, with about 14 percent of the population, or 3,200 people, enslaved in 1820.

Among those who escaped slavery here was James W.C. Pennington. He made it to Pennsylvania in 1827 at age 19, changed his name, eventually attended Yale University, became a Presbyterian minister, and officiated at Frederick Douglass’ wedding. Although he never returned to Washington County before the Civil War, he helped several members of his family escape as well, sheltering them and raising funds to secure their freedom. Pennington penned a memoir, The Fugitive Blacksmith (1849), and one of the first history books of African Americans, The Origin and History of the Colored People (1841).

Otho Davis also escaped slavery in Washington County. Taylor fled Henry Fiery’s Farm on Easter Sunday, 1856, taking his wife, two children, two brothers, a sister-in-law, and nephew with him on Fiery’s horses and two buggies, eventually reaching Canada. The Fierys attempted many times to get the Davises back, but to no avail, according to Visit Hagerstown, which has a downloadable local Underground Railroad map and brochure on its website.

The urban Underground Railroad trail in Hagerstown can be walked or driven, and takes visitors to sites associated with escapes from slavery, highlighting the individuals who fled and those who assisted in their escapes. There are several original buildings still standing—including Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, chartered in 1820—and the home of Sheriff William FitzHugh, who held people in slavery and enforced the law against those hoping for freedom.

Underground Railroad Experience Trail—Montgomery County

The trail, created in 1998 by Montgomery Parks to preserve the county’s rural landscape, provides walking paths and commemorates a part of Sandy Spring and Montgomery County’s Underground Railroad history.

The town of Sandy Spring was settled by Quakers in the 1720s, and they later banned members of the church from holding slaves. Eventually, a group of former enslaved people and the local Quakers worked together to help fugitive slaves to freedom, and it is said that Dred Scott stayed in Sandy Spring while the U.S. Supreme Court decided his famous 1857 case.

Among Underground Railroad destinations in the area are the Sandy Spring Slave Museum, which holds an actual slave cabin; the Sandy Spring Friends’ Meetinghouse, whose congregants were active abolitionists; and the Sharp Street Church, established in 1822 by newly freed African Americans. One of the stops on the trail is the Woodlawn Manor & Barn, built by a prominent family of local Quakers, who were banished from their congregation for refusing to free their enslaved workers.

Five years ago, the barn reopened as Woodlawn Museum, and today it hosts exhibits on the legacy of the Quaker community, the local African-American community, 19th-century farming, and Montgomery County’s Underground Railroad.

History, Heritage, and the Underground Railroad—Prince George’s County

African Americans have raised families and built communities for more than 300 years in Prince George’s County, which kept more slaves than any other county in Maryland. Of the more than 13,600 African Americans living in the county in 1860, some 91 percent were enslaved. Almost 10 percent of the fugitive slaves arrested in Baltimore were from Prince George’s County.

Among the historic sites here are the Northampton Slave Quarters and Archaeological Park in Bowie, which features the reconstructed foundations of slave quarters on the former Northampton Plantation. Excavations from the former plantation (1673-1860) have discovered artifacts from the lives of enslaved African Americans.

The Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park in Upper Marlboro interprets the history of local Native Americans, the colonial town of Charles Town (Prince George’s first county seat), and the lives of African Americans. Fifty-one enslaved African Americans worked at the Mount Calvert Plantation by the mid 1800s. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxon Hill, believed to be the oldest Black congregation in Prince George’s County, was built upon property acquired shortly after the Civil War in 1867.

Among those who successfully escaped slavery in Prince George’s County was Nace Shaw, who fled the Upper Marlboro estate and plantation owned by Sarah Ann Talburtt in September 1858. Nace, who was 45 when he escaped, was also an unlikely candidate to flee given his relative privileged position as a plantation foreman, according to Maryland State Archives. But Shaw also had family in Washington, D.C., where he initially went before heading to Philadelphia and ultimately, Canada. “I wanted a chance for my life,” Shaw later said. “I wanted to die a free man.”

When life’s stresses are weighing you down, you’ll probably feel like hitting up the bar where everybody knows your name. What might actually serve your soul in a genuine way is to go where no one does. Because when your brain is as buzzy as the city streets, you need a real reprieve.

Getting out in nature, whether it’s for a picnic or a walk in the woods, can help you reclaim your calm, find your center, or whatever zen mind trick you’re trying to pull. Luckily, you don’t have to go far to find a spot to embrace the outdoors, unplug, and recharge. Here are seven peaceful spots in Baltimore to unwind.

The Red Trail at Lake Roland: The park and nature center at Lake Roland are big hits, especially in the springtime. But off the beaten path, you’ll find tons of trails to wander. The red trail, which juts off the main part of the park (between the playground and the dog park) follows Falls Road north for two miles. On it, you’ll find streams, bridges, and art installations. Higher traffic times are in the morning and late afternoon, but around midday, only a few folks can be found snapping twigs under their heels. Whether you’re looking to have a walking meditation or a workout, this shady trail can’t be beat. 1000 Lakeside Drive

Sherwood Gardens: If you’d rather relax and snack than move and sweat, bring the blanket and the charcuterie over to Sherwood Gardens in Guilford. The six-acre park houses over 80,000 tulips which makes it the perfect place to breathe deep and let go of your troubles. The evening brings tons families to the park to play, so if you’re aiming to get your “om” on without having to worry about getting clocked in the jaw with a frisbee, an early afternoon picnic and siesta is your best bet. Yawn . . . it really does sound ideal. 4310 Underwood Rd.

Soldiers Delight: Over in Owings Mills, you’ll find another trail to cure what ails. What’s unique about the land here is that it’s a serpentine barren, meaning the rock that underlines the area is made mostly of serpentine, making it a sandy, stony, sparsely vegetated space with some rare flowers, insects, and plant species. There are about seven miles of marked trails and, because of the sensitive nature of the environment there, cyclists aren’t permitted on the trails. Wanderers, however, are more than welcome. 5100 Deer Park Rd.

Quarry Lake: If you’re in need of a nearby loop where you can walk off your lunch and still make it back to work on time, Quarry Lake is a solid midday stop. The manmade lake is one of the deepest in Maryland and makes for a beautiful reprieve for its community members and neighbors. At the quarry, you can sit and eat a bagel, have a peaceful walk, or people watch. 2700 Quarry Lake Drive

Loch Raven Reservoir: If the woods are calling, there’s no better place to find your way (or lose it) than Loch Raven Reservoir. There are lots of shady trails to hike through, though some are a bit tricky with steep inclines and bumpy terrain. Take a break for a snack or some quiet time on the rocks overlooking the water. And before you leave, make sure to feed the ducks some corn, lettuce, or duck pellets (no bread, though)! A word a to the wise: Watch out for the geese because those are huge, loud, and, uh, kind of scary. Morgan Mill Rd and Loch Raven Drive

Baltimore Waterfront Promenade: For those looking for the perfect waterfront walk, the 4.3-mile trail running from Canton Waterfront Park to Fells Point is just the one. It’s easy walking, and the water views make the time fly by. Of course, you’re bound to see some passersby here, because you’re not exactly lost in the woods. But taking a stroll while looking out over the water still makes a great getaway (if only in your head). The promenade is dog-friendly, too. Just make sure to pick after your pup and keep them on a leash. 3001 Boston St.

Patapsco Valley State Park: Whatever you’re in the mood to accomplish (or not accomplish), you can probably achieve it here. This Howard County park runs for miles along the Patapsco River and has eight developed recreation areas. Tame your mind with a hike or a bike ride along one of the many trails, or hop in a canoe and let your troubles drift away. The Cascade Falls Trail in the Orange Grove area of the park is popular spot for its waterfalls and swinging bridges. And if you’re just looking to post up in a pavilion for the day and watch the world go by, you can totally do that, too. At least until your boss calls. Or the school wonders why you haven’t picked your kids up, yet. Okay, get zen, but maybe check the time every now and then. 5120 South St.

No matter what time of year, it’s always a great feeling to lace up your running kicks and get outside. Between waterfront walkways and treelined parks, Baltimore has its pick of beautiful running routes. We have some incredible routes for seasoned runners, casual joggers, and those just hoping to get a few steps around town. Some of our favorite Baltimore runners helped us compile a list of their go-to routes.

Fort McHenry
Not only is Fort McHenry an important historic site, it’s also a beautiful location to run and walk. Once around the Fort’s paved track is approximately one mile, so you have the opportunity to make the run as short or as long as you want. Bonus points for the Visitor’s Center being open regularly with public restrooms. There is parking at the Fort, outside of the complex in Locust Point and just a mile down the road from McHenry Row.

Herring Run Park
This urban oasis is located in Northeast Baltimore and has a paved four-mile loop trail, including two new bridges that go over Herring Run river. There are opportunities to walk, run or bike along the stream bed and “the trail is almost all shaded for summer runs,” says occasional Baltimore contributor Ryan Detter. If you’d also like to visit Lake Montebello, it is approximately 1.35 miles around—so you can add on to your run or use it as a beautiful cool down.

Waterfront Promenade
It’s easy to appreciate the stunning views around the Inner Harbor and waterfront neighborhoods. No matter how far you’d like to go, the promenade, running from Canton to Federal Hill, offers an opportunity to be close to the water at (almost) every turn. “My main running route is running along the Inner Harbor,” says Lauren Seserko. “If you hug the water, you can run all the way from Canton through Fells Point to Locust Point and even make it to Fort McHenry and run that loop.”

Jones Falls Trail
Escape the city (without ever leaving) on the paved Jones Falls Trail. Starting in Mt. Vernon, follow the trail by the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. “You can either take it all the way to Union/Woodberry or go up into Homewood campus,” says Detter. You can even take this trail all the way through Druid Hill Park (past the Maryland Zoo). Detter says this is “where you’re doing switchbacks in the woods and you won’t even feel like you’re in the city.”

Druid Hill Park
Speaking of, if you’ve visited our amazing Maryland Zoo, then you’ve seen the lovely tree-lined streets within Druid Hill Park. There are so many picturesque areas to walk/run through the park (and picnic after) and most are paved, providing an even run surface. The 1.5-mile loop around Druid Lake is a scenic, light track. If you’d like a longer, more challenging run, try out the course for the Dreaded Druid Hill 10K—this 6-mile trek will take you through and around the park with more than a few bumps in elevation. (This route is going to be affected by current park construction.)

Loch Raven Reservoir
While located just north of Towson, this area is a beautiful place to escape the city streets. With a variety of paved and off-road trails, you can easily walk or run for two miles, five miles, or even 10. “Part of it is closed to cars on the weekends,” says Seserko, “so it’s a great place to get a long training run in on paved and off-road trails.” While this area has beautiful nature views all year, early summer is ideal since all the plants are blooming.

Patterson Park
Located downtown in between Fells Point, Canton, and Highlandtown, Patterson Park is a massive, wonderful city park. A full loop is approximately two miles, with the opportunity to add more as you wind through the sidewalks inside the park. Don’t miss the beautiful Patterson Park Pagoda and ducks in the boat lake.

Stony Run
Located near Loyola University’s campus, this wooded trail is made for a soft walk/jog alongside stream valleys, lovely parks, and beautiful Baltimore neighborhoods. For nearly three miles, you’ll travel through approximately 15 residential areas—including Roland Park, Hampden, Remington, and Tuscany-Canterbury. Recently, the trail was updated with a new footbridge, connecting several miles of the trail. It’s a lovely escape from the bustle of downtown and, as Detter says, “you don’t even feel like you’re in the city.”

Charles Street
Prepping for the Chuck 12? Start and end on this race’s namesake. If you’re hoping to enjoy the street’s downhill benefits, start at the top closer to Towson University. You’ll run approximately six miles if you start at Lake Avenue and end at the Inner Harbor. Of, if you’d like an uphill challenge, you can also run up Charles Street to the JHU campus and back down St. Paul/Light Streets for approximately six miles.

Goucher College
Like many of our local universities and colleges, Goucher generously allows the public to use their grounds for running and fitness. Runners can park in their main Dorsey parking lot and use the trails around campus. BONUS: Baltimore Road Runners club meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings here throughout the year!

Looking for run buddies? Join one of these run crews to build up your endurance and support system.

Monday Charm City Run Rise & Run: Every Monday morning, CCR Fells Point hits the promenade early for a sunrise four-mile run.

Faster Bastards: Every Saturday at 8 a.m., the Faster Bastards team runs about 10 miles from Canton Waterfront Park, through the trail by Sandlot, around to Rusty Scupper and back. On Wednesdays, they also run through Druid Hill Park at 6:30 p.m.

Monthly Tuesday Shake Shack Run: Every month, the CCR crews from Locust Point and Fells Poin get together to hit the bricks then end at Shake Shack. First round of beers is on the team once you arrive.