Page 5 - Maryland Association of Campgrounds 2020 Directory

as its roots and history in Maryland!

Back in 1921, most Americans associated camping with
sleeping in tents during the Great War or people who were
homeless. These early experiences created a new aware-
ness of the adventures that awaited in the great outdoors,

Dining at the lazy susan
where Maryland played a pivitol role. In fact, camping
became so widely embraced by the public, that the outings
by The Vagabonds ended in 1924 due to the crowds of
onlookers that followed.

Despite the end of those
early outings, Maryland
continued its role of host-
ing presidential outdoor
retreats with the opening
of what was first known
as Hi-Catoctin in the
wooded hills of Catoctin
Aspen Lodge at Camp David, 1961
Mountain Park near
Thurmont. Renamed Shangri-La by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt, then renamed Camp David by President Dwight
D. Eisenhower, Camp David plays a pivitol role in allowing
our presidents and invited world leaders to get away to the
great outdoors of Maryland.

Maryland camping today

Thanks to Maryland State Forester Francis Champ Zumbrun and
the Library of Congress for historical background and photos.
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