BS: Anyone know Thurmont,Maryland

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone know Thurmont,Maryland
From: Fortunato
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 08:45 AM

Camp Louise is here: Click here

As time grows closer let us know if thy sproglet requires some assistance. We can help her navigate the Washington sites throught the subway system, and see she's all right, etc. Micca might lend some advice on the trip over and such. Cheers, Fortunato

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone know Thurmont,Maryland
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 05:38 AM

Thanks for the info so far which I've passed on to sproglet. She says she's just found out she's at Camp Louise (?) and that's in Cascade, which appears to be about 10 miles from Thurmont. She's got her terms and conditions and seems to get a full day and one half day off per week so I think the sight seeing in DC and the battlefields looks on. Keep the infor coming and I'll pass it on. ta muchly

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone know Thurmont,Maryland
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 06:56 PM

Yes, it is a beautiful part of Maryland. Both the State and National Park are very nice. There is a large man-made lake for swimming (and canoe training) at Cunningham Falls State Park. Might see a Copperhead or a Timber Rattler (two poisonous snakes) and maybe a black bear. But there aren't many. Camp David (the US Presidents Rural Retreat) is actually within the confines of Catoctin Mountain National Park.

By mountain climber standards Catoctin is a good-sized hill. There used to be a few sites for rock climbing.

There are some informational exhibits on "moonshine" and "charcoal making."

All of the information above is spot on. If a person has any interest in America's Civil War, Gettysburg and Antietam Battlefield tours should not be missed. Gettysburg (the town) is quite a civil war tourist trap, but the battlefield is of great interest. Antietam is much more laid back and rural with very little glam and glitter.

My family and I spend many hours and nights in both of these parks when the kids were younger.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone know Thurmont,Maryland
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 06:03 PM

I concur with the beauty of Thurmont, and have been there many times, for both the locally famous horse auctions (a family affair with food, drink, and a chance to pick up a bomb proof family rider at low prices) as well as the National Fire Academy. There is also a rather famous Catholic seminary there, which provides weekend monk type retreats, for those who really want to get away. For the Civil War history buffs it's an hour from Gettysburg, and an hour from Antietim. There's a rather decent Irish pub whose name has slipped my mind, as well as numerous inexpensive eateries. It's a tad cold in the winter but the spring and summer is a treat, with the Catoctin mountains on both sides of the valley in which Thurmont sits. Sproglet should do well

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone know Thurmont,Maryland
From: lamarca
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 02:03 PM

I'm not familiar with the Camp America program - just looked it over on the Web a bit, and see that they hire foreign students to work at US summer camps but give you opportunity to travel for up to 10 weeks after your stint? Is that about right?

Fortunato's right about the Thurmont area being gorgeous. It's about 1.5-2 hours away from downtown Washington, DC, so sightseeing here in the national capital would be really easy. There are easy train connections from Washington to New York City, and reasonably cheap air shuttle flights from DC to NYC or Boston if you buy in advance.

There's a lot of 'Catters living here in the Washington area, so your sproglet may be able to find places to crash while she's sightseeing around here...

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone know Thurmont,Maryland
From: Fortunato
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 10:53 AM

MC Fat, Thurmont is a small community, population, 5,600, northwest of Washington, DC in rural Maryland. It lies among low mountains (The Catoctins) and is surrounded by beautiful woodlands, notably the Catoctin Mountain National Park and Cunningham Falls State Park. I have visited these and camped there and they are beautiful, woodland parks. One would fly into BWI, The Baltimore Washington International airport and then drive some 60 miles to Thurmont. You could also fly into National or Dulles as well and be nearly as close. The President's retreat, Camp David, is also nearby, if that tells you anything.

What else would you like to know? Regards, Fortunato

Subject: Anyone know Thurmont,Maryland
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 10:33 AM

My sproglet (20 year old female, fruit of my loins) is doing the Camp America thingy via University and has been placed in two Jewish camps in Thurmont, Maryland any of you Catters from the former colonies got the lowdown on this place !!