The Northeast Campground Association (NCA) will host its annual Great Escape event in College Park, Maryland, on Oct. 21-22, bringing campground operators and industry members together for networking, tours, and educational sessions.
The two-day program will be held at Cherry Hill Park, a three-time award-winning Campground of the Year, and is organized in partnership with the Maryland Association of Campgrounds.
The event begins Oct. 21 with the Maryland Association of Campgrounds’ meeting at 10 a.m., followed by a welcome lunch at 11:30 a.m.
Attendees will then tour Cherry Hill Park at 12:30 p.m., participate in a Crackerbarrel discussion at 2:30 p.m., and have an early dinner at 3:45 p.m. The evening concludes with a departure at 4:45 p.m. for the DC at night tour.
On Oct. 22, breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., followed by the NCA meeting at 9:30 a.m. A bus will depart at noon for lunch, tours, and dinner before returning to Cherry Hill Park at 8:30 p.m.
Cherry Hill Park, operated by the Gurevich family, will serve as the host site for the event. Organizers say the program will give participants an opportunity to “see firsthand how they focus each day on providing guests with the best hospitality and tourism options that the Washington, DC, area has to offer.”
In addition to Cherry Hill Park, the itinerary features visits to other Maryland campgrounds. Ramblin’ Pines is described as “perfectly nestled in a quiet, peaceful wooded setting” within reach of the Washington–Frederick–Baltimore vacation corridor.
The Ole Mink Farm Recreation Resort, operated by the Irons family for more than 60 years, will also be highlighted. The resort is located in the Catoctin Mountains in Frederick County and has been a destination for family and group getaways.
A special feature of the Great Escape is the DC at Night Tour. Attendees will board a bus from Cherry Hill Park for a fully narrated trip through the capital, viewing illuminated monuments and landmarks. The program aims to show “a different side of DC, with its own distinct charm and energy.”
The Great Escape is part of NCA’s mission to promote and grow camping through networking and education in collaboration with state associations. The event offers both professional development opportunities and regional tourism exposure for campground operators.
The announcement also emphasizes the state’s tradition of hospitality, describing it as extending “genuine care, respect, warmth and a welcoming atmosphere, with the willingness to go above and beyond to make our guests feel welcome.”