The Children’s Home Campus has a mile-long trail that winds around it, and throughout the past few years, various community groups and organizations have contributed their time to build and maintain it.  These activities frequently result in lasting relationships with volunteers and supporters.  In 2022, a local Eagle Scout candidate raised funds and support to assist in formalizing the path by placing trail markers.  The trail inches closer to completion every year, and is now over 80% finished.

Residents of The Home use the trail to enjoy the outdoors and find a quiet retreat away from the bustle of campus’s center.  There is plenty to see along the way.  All kinds of birds circle and hunt, foxes build dens in groups of trees, rabbits graze, groundhogs lumber along, and deer frolic in the twilight. For many kids in our care, this is a novel experience that can prompt reflection and learning.

We will celebrate the trail’s official spring opening and naming as “The Blossom Trail” at the conclusion of our service day. This name was chosen to honor the growth that occurs along the way, both for our residents and our community.

It will take all of the community’s talents to finish The Children’s Home Blossom Trail.  Here are a few of the roles you can play:

• Trail worker – Join a team of 10-12 volunteers to help move mulch, shovel, rake, pull weeds, and tidy up blown debris.  Trail workers ages 12-17 can volunteer alongside an adult.  For safety, volunteers under 12 cannot work on the trail.
• FILLED! Hospitality volunteer – Join a team of 10-12 volunteers to help with set-up, check-in, and refreshments.  For safety, hospitality volunteers under age 18 must volunteer alongside an adult. This group will need to arrive by 7:30am to start setting up.
• Heavy equipment volunteer – Join a team of 10-12 volunteers to operate/assist the “fleet” of bobcats and trucks moving mulch across the campus.  This role is limited to adults only.
• Team leader – Sign up to lead a team of 10-12 volunteers.  These leaders are asked to help recruit team members, to communicate with members in advance, and to coordinate day-of activities for their portion of the project.  There will be 10 trail teams, 1 heavy equipment team, and 1 hospitality team.

Thanks for your interest in becoming a Team Captain!  Sign up here to lead a team of 10-12 volunteers.  Leaders are asked to help recruit team members, to communicate with members in advance, and to coordinate day-of activities for their portion of the project.  There will be 10 trail teams, 1 heavy equipment team, and 1 hospitality team.

Team Captain Registration

Thank you for your interest in volunteering on March 25th!  To help assign you to the correct team and role, please complete the form below.

Team Member Registration

Thanks for your interest in supporting our Blossom Trail Completion Project!  We appreciate your commitment to help our kids have safe and fun trail to enjoy, and for supporting our community’s volunteers.  We are currently seeking sponsors to defray equipment costs (e.g. bobcat rental) and volunteer support costs (e.g. snacks and meals).  We expect to have over 100 volunteers working on our campus for the day, and could use your help!

Our event sponsor(s) will receive acknowledgement in the event’s digital and print materials, social media posts, press-releases, event announcements, and annual report; a photo opportunity with the Home’s CEO; and VIP passes to the ribbon-cutting ceremony and picnic.  Sponsorship packages start at $500.

To hear from our awesome development team about how you can become a sponsor, please complete the form below.

Sponsorship Interest Form

1. Who can volunteer?
   Any member of the community is welcome to sign-up and attend.  For safety, volunteers under age 17 must work alongside an adult, and volunteers under 12 will not be allowed on the trail while the heavy equipment is operating.
2. Can I bring my family/friends?
   Absolutely, but please make sure they are registered by March 18!
3. What should I wear?
   Please wear clothing that is comfortable for being out in the elements, with closed toed shoes.  Be aware, though, that working on the trail can be dusty/dirty.  If you’d like, teams can choose a special color to wear to add to the team spirit!
4. What should I bring?
   All volunteers are encouraged to bring a water bottle to minimize plastic waste.  Trail workers are asked to bring a pitchfork, rake, or shovel to help move and level mulch.  Work gloves and an extra wheelbarrow would also be useful.  Picnic blankets could come in handy for the picnic and celebration at 1:00pm.
5. Where should I park?
   Parking will be available in the west field, marked by “P” on this map.  To access the field, enter through the campus main entrance, take the first left, and then turn left into the field.  Signs will be posted to help guide the way.
6. What if it rains?
   Try as we might, we can’t control the weather.  If we need to move to our rain date, volunteers will receive an email the night before and a message will be posted on this webpage.  Our rain date is April 1, 2023 (no foolin’!).
7. Will there be food?
   Coffee, water, and donuts will be available during check-in.  Snacks and drinks will be offered throughout the event; please bring a water bottle to cut down on plastic waste.  A picnic lunch will be served after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
8. How else can I help?
   We would appreciate your help in spreading the word.  Here is a flyer (as a PDF) (as a PNG), here is our Facebook event page, and here is an Instagram post to share.  Additionally, please take plenty of pictures to share with our photo album.
9. My question isn’t answered here.  Who should I contact?
   Please reach out to Aaron Gartrell (project leader) or Christy Page (staff support).

About Us

The Children’s Home provides residential and community services to promote long-term well-being and success for vulnerable kids from across Maryland by giving them a safe and caring environment.  With your help, we can continue to offer high-quality services to the kids who need them most.

Our Programs

Long-Term Residential Programs
VR, JR, & FM Cottages – Extended group home for ages 13-20
Successful Starts – Semi-independent living for ages 16-20

Short-Term Residential Programs
Diagnostic Center – Crisis intervention for girls ages 13-19
Transitions – Diagnostic and therapeutic program for boys ages 13-17