Virtual schooling is taking a toll on families across the nation, and right here in Frederick is no different.
The burden of trying to navigate online learning while juggling full time work, homemaking and caregiving has been wearing on families already and we’re only just a few weeks into the school year.
Monday, September 28, 2020 is the first no school day for students and to say they and their parents have earned a little break makes sense. But, even on school days when hours in front of a computer screen, technology frustrations, and the sheer overwhelm of balancing it all can quickly send everyone to their breaking points, finding ways to step out of the house, locally and affordably, can be a serious stress reliever.
If you’re looking for a safe, family-friendly, open air way to step away during the day, here are a few of our members who offer some fun solutions for local families.
Take a Break From Virtual School: Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities in Frederick
Swing through the trees at TreeTrekkers
TreeTrekkers is a family-friendly, outdoor adventure recreation facility, offering adventures ages 5+ the chance to zip, swing, climb through the trees, soaring up to heights of over 50ft above the forest floor. The choose-your-challenge experience is designed to be flexible and adaptable to a wide range of ages, experience and interests, making it the perfect place for hosting group outings and events such as field trips, corporate events, youth groups, reunions, and birthday parties for all ages. Your challenge, your adventure, your way!
Learn more: TreeTrekkers
Enjoy the outdoor rides and attractions at Adventure Park USA
The family entertainment center located in Monrovia features Go Karts, Mini Golf, Bumper Boats, three Roller Coasters and more. If you prefer open air activities, purchase their outdoor play pass and stick to the rides and attractions outside of their facility. You can also enjoy their outdoor fall festival that runs through October 31st.
Learn more: Adventure Park USA
Visit the animals at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve welcomes you with natural ponds, lush landscaping, and wandering Ambass-zoo-dors, eager to indulge inquisitive guests. Get curious about everything from bears to boas, macaws to monkeys, panthers to pythons, and alligators to zebra.
Learn more: Catoctin Wildlife Preserve
Pick your own pumpkins at Summers Farm
Summers Farm became a top-notch Frederick destination by creating the Summers Farm Fall Festival in 1996. The Festival features a variety of activities and events that are fun for every member of the family. Their Corn Maze is famous throughout the region and they have plenty of other exciting activities such as apple blasting, playing in a corn kernel pit and picking your own pumpkin in their large pumpkin patch. You can finish off your day at the Farm by renting a campfire and watching their spectacular fireworks display.
Learn more: Summers Farm
Enjoy fresh from the farm ice cream at Rocky Point Creamery
The family at Ricky Point Creamery has farmed their land since 1883. It all started out with about 10 Holstein cows. Today, the 4th generation milks 175 Holstein cows and farms 700 acres surrounding the dairy and creamery. The creamery was added in 2012 to help support the farm. They use the milk from our cows to make our delicious ice cream right here in the creamery. Made fresh each week, they offer over 80 flavors throughout the year, using seasonally fresh, local ingredients and products. In addition to the creamery, Rocky Point sells a variety of beef products, cheese, milk and eggs in their farm store.
Learn more: Rocky Point
Watch them bottle feed the calves at South Mountain Creamery
Pre-COVID you could actually bottle feed the calves yourself. Now, you can visit the farm at 1:30 pm daily and watch the babies get fed their bottle. It may not be quite as interactive as it once was, but it’s still worth a visit. If nothing else, you can help yourself to some ice cream from their farm creamery after you get you fill of oohing and ahhing over the cute calves.
Learn more: South Mountain Creamery
Do Visit Frederick’s Scavenger Hunt
Created by Visit Frederick, this scavenger hunt is a great way to find some of Frederick’s most unique features without ever having to unbuckle your seatbelt!
Find it here: Frederick Scavenger Hunt – From the Car
Need an idea for the weekend?
Check out a flick at Frederick’s Drive-In
Hosted by Troyce Gatewood & Partners, the local drive in is a pop-up like experience at the Frederick Fair Grounds. The event runs through October, 2020 and will show movies each Friday through Sunday with matinees and evening showings.
See what’s playing next: TGP Movie Nights
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.