FORESTER Outings/Activities

1. In the Route-40 corridor of Harford County, contact the Anita C. Leigh Estuary Center, http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/parks_rec/Parks.cfm?ParkID=17 or http://www.otterpointcreek.org/ , Phone: 410-612-1688 or 410-879-2000 x1689, Fax: 410-612-1690, Email: aclec@harfordcountymd.gov. The center is located at 700 Otter Point Road in Abingdon, which is off Route 40 approx halfway between Edgewood and Belcamp (turn toward the water at the traffic light). You want to schedule a nature trek with, hopefully, a guide. The center offers several interesting activities for youths but they require registration, have limited capacities (e.g., 10-12), and fill-up fast. In northern Harford County, check with Eden Mill (see below).



2. Contact Eden Mill Nature Center (1617 Eden Mill Road; Pylesville, MD). {webmaster}.
   
   {Webmaster: here is the response I got last year from an inquiry about their programs. At the time, I was looking for a "canned" Pack activity but was impressed by their flexibility and eagerness to help:
   
   Eden Mill offers several programs that maybe of interest to your group. Our programs assist scouts with some of the requirements in the following areas: Wildlife, Naturalist, Conservationist and Forestry. The programs normally last for approximately 2 hours. We start in our nature center discussing the native wildlife and plants. We have live snakes and turtles for the children to see and handle. We then go for a hike through the nature center trails where we learn to identify different plants and animals. Depending on your requests, we can tailor the program.
   
   Some recent programs involve night hikes. We start in the nature center discussing the different animals of Eden Mill and take a night hike along the Creek with flashlights. This hike can be done during the week or weekends.
   
   If you are interested in the outdoorsman, please provide some additional information. I have not personally covered those requirements.
   
   There is a minimum cost of $30 per group. This includes 10 people -- additional people are $3 / person. Regular scout hikes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.
   
   For the Spring: If you are interested in canoeing the cost is $6 per person with a minimum of $50. Canoeing is done on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The trip starts at 6:00 (we recommend everyone arrive by 5:45 PM). We supply the canoe, PFD, paddle, instruction and an interpretive canoe trip. The trips end around 8:00 to 8:30.
   
   Thank you for your interest in Eden Mill. If you would like to arrange a trip or need additional information, please contact me at (410) 557-0025.
   
   Thank you
   Paula-Eden Mill Nature Center Volunteer
   Harris2301@aol.com
   
   
3. Maryland Department of Natural Resources website has some of this requirement's answers. Also checkout their online forester page. {webmaster}.