Maryland Outdoor Club Announces May to July Event Schedule

Biking, Hiking and Free Clinics Featured in Planned Activities

COLLEGE PARK, MD (PRWEB) May 10, 2003 -- The Maryland Outdoor Club (MOC), a not-for-profit organization promoting adventure sports, travel and sociability, today announced its schedule for May through July events. Members can register for these events via the clubs web site at http://www.marylandoutdoorclub.com" TARGET="_blank">www.marylandoutdoorclub.com. Membership is free and is open to all interested adults, regardless of skill level. Events vary in price, but are designed to be as low cost as possible.

Events currently on the schedule (which follows this release) include social activities -- movie nights, clinics, picnics -- as well as outdoor activities -- hiking, biking, camping, rafting, and kayaking. The MOC maintains a calendar on its web site at http://www.marylandoutdoorclub.com/events" TARGET="_blank">http://www.marylandoutdoorclub.org/events where members can view event updates and detailed information on each activity as well as register and pay event costs.

The MOC, which celebrated the first anniversary of its founding in March, sponsors approximately 50 events per year and has more than 450 members. Primarily Maryland residents, members range in age from 20 to 60, with 85% of members in the 20-39 age range. Amy Pickwick, a Frederick, Maryland, native, who relocated back to Maryland in late 2001, founded the club. Pickwick based the MOC on a similar club she founded in Georgia in 2000, the Atlanta Outdoor Club, which now has over 1,000 members.

A Virtual Clubhouse

The MOC relies heavily on its interactive events and networking web site to allow people to sign up for membership, communicate with one another, register and pay for events, submit event feedback, and make suggestions for club improvements. Pickwick runs the administrative functions of the club from her home, so the web site is the backbone -- the virtual clubhouse" -- of the MOC. Individuals can sign up for membership online in a matter of minutes. They can network with other members, interact with the officers, and register for upcoming events. The site offers a variety of other useful features, including adventure sport tips, online shopping, recommended links, and upcoming area events of interest. The lack of overhead for a physical office permits the club to continue to offer free memberships.

In addition to the web site, the MOC features a twice-monthly e-mail to its e-mail list group with breaking news and upcoming events, and an online/print monthly newsletter, the Monthly Explorer." A monthly social/networking event is held to give members an opportunity to meet and socialize in person.

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Sat, May 10 2003 -- Difficult Loop Day Hike in Potomac, MD
This approximately 5-mile long hike follows the C&O canal for half of the outing, and the Billy Goat Trail on Bear Island, near Great Falls, for the other half.

Sun, May 11 2003 -- Easy Hike on Mothers Day (Calvert Cliffs)
This 3.6-mile hike takes you out to the Western" shore of Maryland where you can hunt for fossils and shark teeth on Mothers Day! Bring Mom along!

Tue, May 13 2003 -- Social Hour
Come meet the members of the MOC at one of our monthly Social Hours. Everyone (members/non-members) is welcome to attend.

Sat, May 17 2003 -- Easy Loop Walk in Washington, DC
This 8-mile walk through Rock Creek Park is a great way to get out and meet the other members of the MOC without much difficulty.

Sun, May 18 2003 -- Sunday Cinemas (The Matrix: Reloaded)
Join us for an Italian lunch and this much anticipated sequel in the afternoon at Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, MD.

Sun, May 25 2003 -- Easy Loop Day Hike in Kingsville, MD
This wonderfully quiet 5.5-mile hike offers a diversity of experiences to get away from city" life for a couple of hours.

Mon, May 26 2003 -- Memorial Day Picnic
This Memorial Day, head to Great Falls National Park in Virginia for a potluck picnic, games, scenic views, and optional light hiking (about 4 miles).

Wed, May 28 2003 -- Free Clinic on Camping Supplies
Get ready for our early-June camping trip by attending this free clinic at the REI store in College Park, MD.

Sat, May 31 2003 -- Bike the Baltimore-Annapolis Trail
Get your legs in shape for this 18-mile bike ride along what used to be the B & A Short Line Railroad.

Sun, Jun 1 2003 -- North Beach Day Trip
Bring your lunch and join the MOC group for a relaxing day on the beach on the Western" shore of Maryland.

Fri-Sun, Jun 6-8 2003 -- Weekend Camping
Break away from city" life at our Weekend Camping event in Western Maryland.

Wed, Jun 11 2003 -- Free Clinic on Local Hikes
New to the area or interested in the hidden hiking gems in the Central Maryland/Washington DC areas? If so, you dont want to miss this free event at the REI store in College Park, MD.

Sun, Jun 15 2003 -- Easy Hike on Fathers Day (Susquehanna)
This 4.5-mile hike along the Susquehanna River will give you an opportunity to see bald eagles on Fathers Day! Bring Dad along!

Sun, Jun 15 2003 -- Sunday Cinemas (Movie TBA)
Join us for an Mexican dinner and a movie in the evening at Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, MD.

Wed, Jun 18 2003 -- Free Clinic on Hiking/Backpacking Supplies
The MOC is planning to host a backpacking trip this Fall. If you havent backpacked before or you need to brush up on your skills, you wont want to miss this free clinic at the REI store in Timonium, MD.

Sat, Jun 21 2003 -- Chesapeake Bay Day-Long Cruise
Take a day-long cruise on the Chesapeake Bay with a 3 hour lay-over in historic St. Michaels.

Sun, Jun 22 2003 -- Difficult Loop Day Hike in Potomac, MD
This approximately 5-mile long hike follows the C&O canal for half of the outing, and the Billy Goat Trail on Bear Island, near Great Falls, for the other half.

Thu, Jun 26 2003 -- Bowie Baysox Baseball (Spectator)
Come catch a game of minor league baseball as the Bowie Baysox take on the New Haven Ravens.

Sat, Jun 28 2003 -- Kayak in Gunpowder Falls State Park
Kayak the flat water at Gunpowder Falls State Park, just North of Baltimore. No experience is necessary to attend this event.

Sun, Jul 6 2003 -- Difficult Day Hike in Dickerson, MD
The 8.5-mile hiking route we will be taking is a fairly strenuous clockwise loop featuring impressive overlooks and 1,700 feet in elevation change.

Sat-Sun, Jul 12-13 2003 -- Whitewater Rafting & Camping
Paddle the Lower Yough for 3 to 5 hours followed up with camping at Savage River State Forest in Maryland.

Sat, Jul 19 2003 -- 1st Annual Picnic & Anniversary Celebration
Join us as we celebrate the first anniversary of the MOC web site launch.

Sun, Jul 27 2003 -- Day Trip to Paramounts Kings Dominion
Join us for a day of thrills, rides, and fun at Paramounts Kings Dominion in Virginia!