Every year, RCM&D chooses well-deserving local nonprofit organizations to be the recipients of our year-round fundraising and volunteer initiatives. The result of these endeavors is commemorated during our annual Regatta event, a delightful waterfront festivity hosted at the picturesque Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Mark your calendars for this year’s occasion on Friday, September 20. As we approach this year’s celebration, we will shine a spotlight on our chosen beneficiaries, showcasing the incredible impact they make within our communities daily.
About Echo Hill
Since 1972, Echo Hill Outdoor School has been inspiring future environmental stewards through the magic of playing, learning and exploring in the outdoors. Echo Hill prides itself on teaching students about the magic of the environment with no classrooms, no textbooks and no assignments.
Echo Hill is located on the upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, encompassing a 242-acre campus situated near the heart of the 350-acre Bloomingneck Farm, a working Maryland Century Farm owned by the Harris family. The campus consists of open fields, hardwood forests, freshwater marshes and a mile of sandy beach. The property is abundant with wildlife and provides ideal outdoor laboratories for ecological studies.
Educational Experiences
Through Echo Hill’s programs, students learn more about the wonders of nature, the value of history and the diversity of individual qualities. Echo Hill is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment for students, encouraging them to feel challenged, successful, free to think, question and express themselves. The curriculum includes:
- Science & Ecology: These classes focus on specific information about particular ecosystems, as well as environmental concepts such as natural succession, nutrient cycling and adaptation.
- History & Culture: Students explore folklore, traditions on the water and ever-changing agricultural practices. Hands-on investigations, personal interviews and creative critical thought provide exciting approaches to learning about history and society.
- Adventure Course & Group Development: These classes take place on the Adventure Challenge course, which includes a variety of low and high elements. The adventure programming progresses from an initial focus on group dynamics to individual challenges.
A representative of Abington Friends School in Pennsylvania stated, “[the] children return from the experience with a heightened sense of awareness of environmental issues which is then reinforced and expanded upon in our own curriculum throughout the school year.”
Summer Programs
- The summer Explore program offers exciting three-, four- and five-day adventures on the waters of the upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay for children of a minimum age of 10.
- Three-day camping trips are designed to provide a positive and exciting adventure for the first or second-time camper. The group of six participants and two Echo Hill trip leaders explore the shoreline of the Chester River, returning to the same base campsite each night of the experience.
- Middle Explorers is a summer program for children 7 to 10 years of age to participate in outdoor exploration, climbing, a day on the Chester River, crafts and games.
- Little Explorers is a summer program for children 4 to 6 years of age. The program is nature based with children participating in outdoor exploration, songs, crafts and games.
- Day and Residential programs are available in the summer from June 20 through August 26 for groups ranging in size from 6 to 50, offering experiences in all three of our curriculum areas.
How to Get Involved
Donate
Echo Hill is determined to provide quality programming at an affordable price. Although the majority of its revenue comes from tuition, which directly funds its programs, that income does not come close to covering all of our operating costs.
To make up the difference, Echo Hill depends on the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, and local, state and federal government affiliates for donations and grants. Support from these sources is vital in helping Echo Hill continue to make a difference in students’ lives. Click here to learn more about donating to Echo Hill.
Contribute to a Special Fund
Echo Hill Outdoor School proudly acknowledges funds for scholarships, the historic boats and ensuring the future of the school. Learn more about the funds and how to support them.
Planned Giving
Your consideration of various means of making a planned gift could create a lasting legacy for hundreds, if not thousands, of future students and participants and those teachers who faithfully serve our mission. Learn more about planned giving here.
Workplace Giving
Workplace charitable-giving programs offer city, county, state and federal employees, as well as employees at private corporations, the opportunity to contribute to charities using the convenience of payroll deduction. Learn more about workplace giving here.
Learn More
To learn more about Echo Hill Outdoor School and how it fulfills the desire to have students live and learn closely with nature, view their website.