What we’re about
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- Reconnecting People with the Natural World - just for the Health of It -
Founded in 2007, Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group (MAHG), aka Outdoors for Health, was inspired by a passion for promoting and providing low-cost opportunities for people to get up and outside to connect with the natural world and enjoy the multiple health benefits it provides. Today, the organization has grown to become a very active 23,000+ member strong 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to serving our **mission **of providing education, awareness, and opportunities for people to experience the variety of health benefits provided by connecting with the outdoors, “just for the health of it!” Our organization has hosted over ~7000 events ranging from 2-mile newbie sneaker social hikes all the way up to 50+ mile one day fully supported hikes, educational/awareness offerings, paddle trips, and more. So no matter your preference, we should have something for you. We are a diverse organization, providing a wide variety of outdoor activities including - but not limited to hiking and educational opportunities related to the natural world. MAHG also promotes the importance of being good outdoor stewards through environmental awareness activities.
We enjoy exploring an incredible variety of locations throughout Maryland, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group (MAHG) appreciates Mother Nature’s diversity and the diversity of people. Whether you are a newbie or a very seasoned outdoor enthusiast, ALL are welcome and we are sure to have an event for you on our very active and varied calendar.
Our focus is on safety, camaraderie, and having a ton of fun while connecting with the natural world. So a sense of humor is a must with us!
*** WARNING! — Our Calendar is VERY Active ALL Four Seasons and Can be Beneficial to Your Health ***
Today’s fast-paced and technologically dominated society can take a toll on a person’s psychological, physical, and emotional well-being. Many people are trapped within an indoor and plugged-in lifestyle that can be overwhelming and very stressful. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group promotes reconnecting people with nature by providing plentiful and varied opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors.
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s activities are a healthy way to relieve stress and “unplug” while enjoying the variety of what Mother Nature has to offer. Register today to help decrease stress - get fitter - get healthier, and get nature empowered, all while knowing you are supporting an important cause with Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group.
Click Here for information about our current charitable initiatives and programs/studies serving our mission.
• Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group offers many opportunities to give back by helping with maintaining trails throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and hosting in addition to participating in other environmental stewardship and community building events and workshops. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group offers educational classes and certifications in Leave No Trace outdoor ethics and our own highly regarded Outdoor Leadership Certification program. Additionally, MAHG has an active outreach program to help with educating others regarding the many health benefits of hiking and the importance of taking care of our trails and our overall environment.
• Youth Education and Re-Connecting with the Natural World - We are currently preparing to expand our program that benefits under-represented and inner-city youth by combining connection with nature and education. Our solutions-based approach begins with a full immersion experience of hiking and other fun, unplugged, and screen-less outdoor activities. We combine the activities while educating tomorrow's workers regarding the abundant employment opportunities the natural world offers in the booming field of green-collar jobs. "For references and more, please visit our main website. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group provides opportunities for increased confidence, self-esteem, and hope for a better tomorrow. Today's youth will be the earth's stewards of tomorrow, so it is imperative that they become familiar with the world outside of their screens."
Why Hike with Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group? — As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization, when you hike with MAHG, you are also helping us with serving our mission to benefit the health of others! Every step you take with MAHG is also a step for recipients of our initiatives and programs. We bring people together to have fun and make friends while enjoying the many health benefits of the great outdoors in a safe and welcoming environment. Hiking not only connects people with the natural world but also fosters an appreciation and respect for the environment and an overall sense of community. Whether you are looking to lose weight, have never hiked a mile in your life, or are looking to rise to the challenge of hiking 30+ miles in one day, we have a hike for you, all seasons. Remember, we were all newbies once, and we enjoy introducing others to hiking and other outdoor pursuits - in fact, it is a core part of our mission to reconnect people with the natural world.
Who Can Hike with Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group? — Simply put, you! Whether you are young, old, working, single, in a committed relationship, retired, laid off, shy, talkative, energetic, geeky, lazy, recovering from an injury, social, or a competitive hiker, Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is for you. We do more than just embrace our diversity — we thrive on it!
When We Hike? — We do it in the morning, afternoon, after work, evening, darkest of night, every weekend day, and all year round and average 10 times a week. Get your mind out of the gutter ‘cause we are talking about hiking, stewardship, and outdoor education here. Seasonally, we offer weekday day hikes in addition to our variety of after-work hikes.
Where We Hike? — We hike throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond! We visit Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail almost every weekend. We strive to offer at least one easy, moderate, and strenuous hike within 60 miles of Baltimore, DC, and Northern Virginia each weekend day. MAHG hosts cookouts, white water floats, hike out/paddle backs, cave trips, natural water slides hikes, hikes to view frozen waterfalls, Appalachian Trail section hikes, camping trips, volunteer offerings, and last but certainly not least, our very popular Monuments in the Moonlight hikes.
How We Hike — Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a **mission-driven nonprofit charitable organization. Click Here to learn about our mission, programs and initiatives, and accomplishments! We are committed to connecting people with the natural world, community building, giving back/stewardship, and providing educational opportunities. MAHG is a well-established and highly regarded organization well known for its excellent camaraderie — all with safety in mind while emphasizing having fun out on the trails! We limit our hikes to small groups for the comfort and consideration of others and to better enjoy and respect the environment.We have many partnerships. A sample of a few and how we work with them - as a partner with Leave No Trace (LNT), we practice, encourage, and educate others about the importance of practicing proper outdoor ethics and teach LNT certification courses several times every year. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is also proud to be a Gold level Alliance Member of the American Hiking Society. MAHG participates in the "Adopt an Acre" program by adopting land in the Appalachian Mountains to support The Nature Conservancy. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group provides volunteer and trail maintenance opportunities and other community-building events throughout the entire Mid-Atlantic Region. Contact our office at 410.480.5000 or see our main website for more information regarding our cause and our accomplishments, initiatives, partnerships, and programs.
Our leadership team consists of qualified, dedicated, and very appreciated volunteers who are some of the best in the region!
We hope to see you on the trail soon for great times while enjoying all the health benefits of connecting with the natural world - remember to bring your sense of humor (a must with us) and be prepared to have a ton of fun!
Kellie Carlisle - Founder, MAHGs Board of Directors, and the MAHG Volunteer Leadership Team
Sponsors
A GuideStar Gold Rated Charitable Org!
MAHG is Proud to Have Received a GOLD Rating from GuideStar!
Please Volunteer! We Need Your Help!
Click Here Now & Learn How to Volunteer Today! All Training Provided!!
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group Supports AHS
MAHG is a Gold Level Alliance Member of the American Hiking Society
Click to Support Our Veterans Program
Help defray the cost of our Veterans Hiking Initiative and its Programs
MAHG is an Official Partner with LNT
We Are a Partner with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
Leki USA
THERE'S NO COMPARISON
MAHG Adopts Acres in the Appalachians!
MAHG Participates in The Nature Conservancy Adopt an Acre Program
Upcoming events
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- $5.00
Zekiah Swamp and Cedarville State Forest: An Easy-Side-of-Strenuous 13-Mile Hike
Cedarville State Forest and Zekiah Swamp with Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group! An Easy Side of Strenuous 13 Miles, Directions: Click the link under “Directions to the Trailhead” located near the end of the event listing., The linked page has location/direction details, driving/parking info, including where to Meetup after you arrive., , MD, USZekiah Swamp and Cedarville State Forest: An Easy Side of Strenuous 13 Miles (Great for Transitioning to Longer Hikes)
This is an easy, albeit rather a long trek through deep, shady forest along the banks of meandering creeks. On a hot summer day, there is a drowsy, languid feel to the creeks that run through Cedarville State Forest. They are known to rise and wash out bridges, and if their steeply cut banks are any measure, they have done so often. But there is little babble to these sandy-bottomed brooks. Walking by them through stands of hardwood and meadows of lush ferns, you are more likely to hear a breeze in the trees than a wild torrent. It is a good setting for a peaceful hike.
The headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp are located in Cedarville. The swamp is one mile wide, extends southward through Charles County for 20 miles, emptying into the Wicomico River. It serves as a major haven for wildlife and Cedarville State Forest is home to several unique features in nature and has an interesting history.
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The Piscataway Indian Tribe made this section of Southern Maryland its winter camping ground because of the mild climate and abundance of game. Legend says there is an Indian Burial ground in Cedarville State Forest, but to date, it has not been found.
The surrounding land is mostly agricultural fields and back in colonial times there were efforts to drain the swamp for cultivation. Drainage ditches are still evident and to this day, the swamp remains wooded bottomland and in 1930, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest, Park, and Wildlife Service purchased 2,631 acres of land for a forest demonstration area.
Of particular interest in this bog are several species of insect-eating plants, including the round leaf sundew and the northern pitcher plant (one of these is known as the Venus flytrap). Throughout the SUMMER MONTHS, spy the leaves of these carnivorous plants, which attract insects with their reddish color and entrap them with sticky or bristly hairs. Showy wildflowers also dot the open meadow next to the bog. Look for the pink blooms of Maryland meadow-beauty and milkwort and the purple flowers of Hyssop Skullcap. Most of the Cedarville is forested with over 50 species of trees, including white and loblolly pine plantations.
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Transition Hike
This hike is ideal for anyone wanting to step up to more challenging hikes! Is an excellent way to increase your endurance/mileage to strenuous from moderate hiking (due to distance, but it is a flat hike for the most part) and work on building some distance while enjoying the middle-of-nowhere feeling you get only from the forest. Cedarville is very remote yet extremely well blazed and marked. It is pretty much flat as well which is unusual for anywhere around here. This would be rated an easy hike other than the distance, which earns it a very moderate or easy side of strenuous depending on your level of fitness.
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Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Waldorf, MD
Length: 13 Miles
Elevation Gain: 500
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: Difficult only due to length; the terrain is easy going which is a welcome change of pace from trails commonly encountered in the Mid-Atlantic Area because many trails in our area are so often rocky and rooty.
Trail Surface: Dirt footpaths traverse a heavily wooded area with short stretches through the watershed of two major streams. Unlike most parts of Maryland, there are few rocks and roots (which we call ankle twisters) so you can take in the view and not have to watch your feet constantly!
Facilities: Restrooms, visitor center, campground, archery range, fish hatchery visitor center.
Local Contacts: Cedarville State Forest
Local Maps: USGS Bristol, Maryland
Topo Map: Cedarville State Forest Loop Topographic Map
Special Features: There is an archery range where you walk through on paths and shoot at targets set up through the woods.
Additional Activities: A four-acre pond stocked with Bluegill, Catfish, Sunfish, and Bass is open for bank fishing only. A Maryland Non-Tidal fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older.http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/9/7/b/600_439638811.jpeg
Park Fee
Maryland State Residents are $3.00 per car and out of state, $5.00 per car paid by the honor system upon entering the park. Make sure you place the yellow tag that comes with the payment envelope onto your rearview mirror.Gear Suggestions
Click Here for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.Weather Information
We hike rain or shine. Click Here to view the forecast for the park area where we will be hiking.Our RSVP and Group Etiquette
Click Here to review our RSVP policies and group etiquette.http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/a/8/c/600_439639084.jpeg
Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions to Where We Meet for this HikeMeet & Greet and Sign-In — 9:45-9:55 a.m.
The Hike is at 10:00 a.m.
Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/hike-and-trail-etiquette.html)and Leave No Trace (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/leave-no-trace.html) principles. Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and qualified MAHG members who volunteer (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/9595722/How_To_Join_Our_Leadership_Team!/) as leaders for Mid-Atlantic Hiking Groups volunteer leadership team. Hikes also have a volunteer “sweeper” to help ensure that no hiker is left behind. MAHG volunteers and members are very supportive, encouraging, with a focus on safety while enjoying the excellent camaraderie and benefiting from the many health benefits of hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHGs core values, as is our dedication to the conservation of our natural resources and our commitment to the organization's mission (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/). Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a volunteer-supported tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html) and donations ARE tax deductible (https://midatlantichikinggroup.networkforgood.com/projects/17107-fall-into-hiking-for-health). Tax ID: 47-5141831 (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html).
A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike!
Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!
Christa: 410.610.6254
Greg: 571.484.7499http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/f/8/0/600_451940352.jpeg
• Please Click Here (https://secure.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/contribute/)and Chip-In to Help Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group in Serving our Mission (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/index.html).
• Donations to Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group are Tax Deductible: Tax ID 47-5141831 (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html). Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization.
• Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/about/) to Learn more about the Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s Mission.
• 100% of Every Dollar Goes Directly to the Expenses of Meeting our Mission.
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Past events
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Group links
Organizers
Sponsors
A GuideStar Gold Rated Charitable Org!
MAHG is Proud to Have Received a GOLD Rating from GuideStar!
Please Volunteer! We Need Your Help!
Click Here Now & Learn How to Volunteer Today! All Training Provided!!
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group Supports AHS
MAHG is a Gold Level Alliance Member of the American Hiking Society
Click to Support Our Veterans Program
Help defray the cost of our Veterans Hiking Initiative and its Programs
MAHG is an Official Partner with LNT
We Are a Partner with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
Leki USA
THERE'S NO COMPARISON
MAHG Adopts Acres in the Appalachians!
MAHG Participates in The Nature Conservancy Adopt an Acre Program