Sierra Club, Maryland Chapter Jamboree 2017
October 13 (Friday evening) through October 15 (Sunday afternoon)
Jamboree Location:Shepherd’s Spring Retreat and Conference Center, Sharpsburg, MD
301.223.8193
Welcome! Thank you for registering for the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter Jamboree! We look forward to seeing you at a fun-filled educational and inspiring event. Enclosed are directions, a program description, and an auction donation form. Below is a list of what to bring. Please keep a lookout for the “Jamboree 2017 Welcome!” email with surveys for program and meal preferences. Respond to the surveys ASAP. Call 301-277-7111 or email with any questions!
Shepherd’s SpringOutdoor Ministry Center is a non-profit retreat center and camp located 1.5 hours North West of Washington, DC with 220 acres of rolling, wooded land and open meadows along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and Potomac River. There is a hotel-style Lodge, six Cabins, and Camping area.
Carpooling: If you’d like to get to know some of the Jamboree participants and save gas, consider carpooling. Use our carpool link to make arrangements. Contact us for assistance, if needed. Leave early for the Jamboree to avoid rush hour on Friday afternoon!Follow the attached directions. If you’d like to rely on a directions app, consider using google maps. Look for the Sierra Club banner and signs at entrance of Shepherd’s Spring Retreat and Conference Center.
Upon Arrival: Please park beside the pool and check in at the lodge. If you are staying in the lodge, you may temporarily park in the front lodge parking lot to unload. There is also plenty of parking beyond the lodge on the left, on the way to the cabins, and at the cabins which are a 10-minute walk away by trail.
Rooming Details: Lodge room assignments, cabin assignments, and tent pitching locations will be provided when you sign in. Bed and bath linens are provided in the lodge. Campers must bring tent, gear, and soaps, toilet articles, bedding, etc. Please respect those with fragrance sensitivities and leave at home scented products as well as bedding and clothing laundered in fragrance-added detergents.
In addition to personal clothing, please be sure to bring:
❖Bedding – tent, twin bed sheet(s), pillows, blankets or sleeping bag, mat (unless signed up for linens)
❖Towel, washcloth, soap, toilet articles like shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste
❖Flashlight
Consider bringing:
❖Flip flops for wearing in the bathrooms
❖Bath robe or cover-up (for those in shared sleeping accommodations and bathrooms)
❖Mosquito repellant, sun block
❖Binoculars (if planning to go on hikes and bird walks)
❖Favorite indoor board or outdoor lawn games
❖Garden gloves (if planning on helping with invasive plant removals)
❖Sturdy shoes or hiking boots
❖Jacket and heavier sweater (for cooler weather), rain gear – just in case
❖Paper and pens
❖Checkbook or cash – for silent/live auction
❖Thermal mug, your musical instrument, favorite song, a story
❖A bicycle to bike the long way to cabins or to the C&O canal
Please check the Jamboree agenda and updates posted on the website mdjamboree.com.
Volunteer: The success of the Jamboree depends on volunteers like you. Interested in ushering registrants to their room or cabin? Love to take photos? Want to put your fire-making skills or auctioneering talents to good use? Please complete the Volunteer Opportunities Surveyor contact us to let us know ahead of time or sign up for a task or two upon arrival. Before 3 p.m. Sunday, we must do our part to leave no trace by tidying up cabins and stripping beds, removing all personal items and litter, and putting trash and recycling away. Please bring items to donate to the silent or live auctions or free exchange. If you would like to help with equipment transport or set up immediately before the Jamboree, please let us know; contact Laurel at Desk: (240) 764-5309 Main Office: (301) 277-7111.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi is not available and cell phone coverage is spotty.
Please observe the following site rules during your stay at Shepherd’s Spring
- Pets are not permitted on the center property or in the center buildings. (Service animals are welcome.)
- No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs, firearms, or other projectile weapons.
- Do not cut native trees or shrubs and keep animals in their natural habitat.
- No smoking or burning anything including candles in the buildings. Fires only in Fire Circle.
Live & Silent Auction
Maryland Chapter Sierra Club Jamboree 2017 Oct. 13-15 at Shepherd’s Spring Retreat in Sharpsburg, MD
What is the Auction? Every Jamboree, we hold a Live & Silent Auction, to help fund our event and have some fun! This is a great opportunity to contribute to your Maryland Sierra Club Chapter and find a great deal!
How and What Can I Donate?Lightly used, re-gifted, or new items can be brought with you to the Jamboree, and placed into the Auction. Popular items have been books on nature, music, camping equipment, water bottles, household items, etc.
You can also donate your time or expertise! For example:
●Guitar lesson
●Home energy audit
●Photo portrait session
Please fill out the accompanying Donation Contract and bring it with you, to help us keep track for our records. Contact Patricia at or 410-869-0552 with questions.
Participate in the Auction!Remember to bring your cash or checkbook with you to the Jamboree to buy items! We will not be taking credit cards at this event.
Partial List of Items
Crock potMassage roller Potted Red Bud plantHandmade potteryCamelback backpack
Featuring in our Live Auction
Weekend in Deep Creek Lake
and more to come....
Emergency Contact for Weekend: Laurel Cell- 240-682-1558