Friday, Mar 24, 2006
March 24, 2006 For Immediate Release Debra Mills
Catoctin Mountain Park to Dedicate a New Totem Pole at Camp Greentop
Catoctin Mountain Park will dedicate a new totem pole at Camp Greentop at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 1. The totem pole dedication is being held in conjunction with the League for People with Disabilities, Inc. Open House and is part of the park?s year-long 70th Anniversary celebration.
The League, formerly known as the Baltimore League for Cripple Children has a long-standing history at Catoctin Mountain Park. The group used Camp Misty Mount in 1936, the year of its completion, but found the terrain too difficult for handicapped campers. Plans for Camp Greentop were modified, and is believed to be the country?s first cabin camp built specifically for the needs of the handicapped. The League has used Camp Greentop as a residential summer camp each summer, except for the World War II years when the park was closed to the public.
While the specific origin is unknown, totem poles have been a prominent feature of Camp Greentop since the late 1930?s. Early photographs show handicapped campers walking between two similar figures. The totem pole being replaced was carved by local artist, Erin Aylor, in 1991, while he was a student in the Frederick County Public School System. Camp Greentop was the sight of the Frederick County Outdoor School from 1957 through 1996.
Erin Aylor continued to develop his talents and is currently recognized as a prominent contemporary artist. Good fortune permitted Catoctin Mountain Park to commission Erin for completion of the totem pole that will be dedicated on April 1. Each figure on the totem pole represents part of the ecosystem and humankind?s special relationship with nature. The totem pole was painted by members and leaders of Boy Scout Troop 270 under the guidance of the artist.
The Totem Pole will be unveiled during the ceremony that starts at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony will be conducted by Park Superintendent Mel Poole and will include representatives from the League, Inc. and Erin Aylor. The League , Inc. welcomes the public, prospective campers and their families to tour Camp Greentop, meet the staff and learn about the programming offered through the Camping & Therapeutic Recreation program at their Open House which will be held from 12:00 until 4:00.
Catoctin Mountain Park is one of 390 units administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The park Visitor Center, located on State Route 77 three miles west of Thurmont, Maryland, is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Correspondence should be addressed to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Our website address is www.nps.gov/cato. General information can be obtained by calling the Visitor Center at (301) 663-9388.
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