Pick a Topic!
We are so excited to see you in Baltimore City from October 28-30 for the 2025 Outdoor Recreation Summit! Below, you’ll find a list of helpful information to help you navigate and prepare for the event. The best way to stay informed is to check the website and download the event app on Whova.
Not registered yet? Click here!
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Getting Here
The 2025 Outdoor Rec Summit will be held at the Royal Sonesta, conveniently located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor at 550 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
Conference check-in will be in the Prefunction Area located on Level 2 (accessible by stairs or elevator).
Parking - $10/Day for cars (free for bikes!)
Vehicle and bike parking is available at the Harbor Court Garage - 30 E. Lee Street (attached to the hotel).
To get to the garage, drive PAST the hotel (on your right) and turn RIGHT onto Lee Street. Then make an immediate RIGHT TURN into the Harbor Court Garage. Go through the gate. The garage is on a ticketless system that reads the car’s license plate number. Do NOT pay in the garage via the QR code.
Before you leave the hotel, please visit the front desk to give the Associate your name and license plate number to pay for parking.
🚲Bike parking is free in the garage! The bike racks are on the right, above the entrance to the hotel.
Birds-Eye view of the Royal Sonesta in the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
Public Transportation
- Rail:
- MARC Train - Camden Station (0.5 mile walk)
- Amtrak - Penn Station (1.7-mile walk, or take the Purple Charm City Circulator)
- Light Rail - Camden Station or Convention Center Station (0.6 mile walk)
- Metro Subway - Charles Center Station (0.5 mile walk)
- Bus:
- FREE Charm City Circulator
- Blue and Red lines to Lee St. (300-ft walk)
- Purple line to Visitor’s Center (0.1 mile walk)
- Orange line to Inner Harbor Stop (0.3 mile walk)
- Local Busses
- 65 - Pratt St & Light St (0.3 mile walk)
- CityLink Yellow, CityLink Navy, CityLink Brown, and 54 - Lombard St & Light St Stop (0.4 mile walk)
When to Arrive
The full conference agenda can be found on the Outdoor Rec Summit Webpage and the Whova App.
Tuesday, October 28th
- Attendees: Please plan to arrive between 12:00-12:30 PM to ensure you are checked in to the conference and ready for the Welcome and Outdoor Rec Trek, which begins at 12:30 PM.
- Note: lunch is not provided.
- Exhibitors:
- Royal Sonesta - set up between 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Welcome Party at Baltimore Peninsula - set up between 2:30-4:30 PM
Wednesday, October 29th
- Attendees: Please plan to arrive by 7:30 AM to ensure you are checked in to the conference and ready for the welcome and opening keynote, which begins at 8:00 AM. Breakfast will be served from 7:00-8:00 AM.
- Exhibitors: Arrive for set-up anytime between 6:30-9:00 AM. The exhibit area is officially “open” from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Thursday, October 30th
- Attendees: Please plan to arrive by 7:30 AM* to ensure you are checked in to the conference and ready for the morning welcome, which begins at 8:00 AM. Breakfast will be served from 7:00-8:00 AM.
*unless you are signed up for Paint & Sip, which runs from 7:00-8:00 AM - Exhibitors: The exhibit area is officially “open” from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Please have your display broken down and packed up by 2:00 PM.
What to Bring/Wear
Items to Bring (General Conference)
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Business Cards
- Sense of Adventure!
What to Wear
We’re recommending a “Conservation Casual” attire. This is like business casual, but for outdoorsy/environmental folks! Really, wear whatever you are comfortable in. We recommend layers and dressing for the weather, especially if you plan to attend any outdoor activities.
Outdoor Rec Trek (Tuesday)
- Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather (you will be outside- and maybe on a boat!)
- Items to Bring:
- Reusable water bottle
- Snack (optional)
- Your sense of adventure!
- ☂️OPTIONAL: We are collecting used/old/broken umbrellas for a surprise activity. If you have an old/broken umbrella (it can be damaged but still needs to open), please bring it to the Royal Sonesta when you check in on Tuesday!
Rec Trek and Welcome Party (Tuesday)
In addition to engaging keynote speakers and sessions, the Outdoor Rec Summit offers ample opportunities for attendees to get outside and have some fun! Read on for descriptions of each activity below.
Outdoor Rec Trek (Tuesday, October 28, 12:30-4 PM)
The summit kicks off on Tuesday, October 28th, with the Outdoor Rec Trek - a team-based scavenger hunt that transforms downtown Baltimore into a living case study of urban outdoor recreation. It’s part competition (with prizes!), part exploration, and fully designed to spark ideas for how outdoor spaces can inspire connection, movement, and play in an urban setting.
The Rec Trek is included with summit registration. Please complete this RSVP form to help us get a team count for the Outdoor Rec Trek.
Welcome Party at the Baltimore Peninsula (Tuesday, October 28, 4-7 PM)
The Rec Trek is followed by a Welcome Party at Baltimore Peninsula, which includes live music, games, and activities (including fishing, a rock wall, corn hole, and more!), free snacks and drinks, food trucks (for purchase), and lots of great networking opportunities!
If you plan to attend the Welcome Party, please complete this RSVP form (same form as the Rec Trek) so that we have an accurate headcount.
For those participating in the Rec Trek, transportation is provided to the Welcome Party and back to Royal Sonesta. For those not participating in the Rec Trek or choosing to drive themselves, please navigate to 321 East Cromwell St., Baltimore, MD 21230. You can also take the FREE Charm City Circulator (Cherry Line) from the Inner Harbor to the Baltimore Peninsula. The party will be on the pier (see map below).
General attendees should park in the metered spaces on street parking.
Birds-eye view of Baltimore Peninsula.
Outdoor Reception (Wednesday)
Outdoor Reception (Wednesday, October 29, 5-7 PM)
There will be an outdoor reception at the Royal Sonesta’s 7th Floor Rooftop Terrace. Wear your Summit badge! This is a chance to relax and enjoy music, fire pits, games and socializing! There will be snacks and complimentary drinks available. Additional drinks can be purchased inside at the hotel bar. No outside drinks permitted.
Outdoor Excursions (Thursday)
Outdoor Excursions (Thursday, October 30)
Thanks to generous support from our partners, we are offering conference attendees the chance to sign up for additional outdoor excursions in and around Baltimore!
View the descriptions below and click the links to sign up. Space is limited, and some excursions require a minimum to run. Sign up ASAP to reserve your spot!
Excursions:
- Sunrise Paint & Sip at the Royal Sonesta - 7:00-8:00 AM
Join us for a relaxed morning Sip & Paint overlooking the Inner Harbor. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee as the sun rises over the city skyline, and paint your own take on the urban landscape with guidance from local artists. Whether you're an experienced painter or just trying it for fun, this excursion is a great way to ease into the day. All supplies are provided. $15.00 [Link to Register] - Bird Banding at Masonville Cove - 9:00-10:30 AM*
Take a field trip to Masonville Cove, located on Baltimore's working waterfront, to experience bird banding and learn how the site has been transformed from a polluted industrial site into a thriving urban wildlife refuge co-created with the community. This interactive workshop explores opportunities and challenges associated with providing access to nature for diverse urban communities, and how partnerships, co-design, and engagement have led to the nation’s first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership and only urban Bird Banding Station. Participants will experience a live bird-banding session and dive into co-design strategies that tackle barriers like transportation, awareness, and exclusion. Presenters will share lessons learned and discuss how this model can inform equitable outdoor access across Maryland and the country. $15.00 [Link to Register]
*Note: participants who sign up for this field trip will be traveling off-site on Thursday morning and will miss the first two breakout sessions at the Royal Sonesta that day. - Hart-Miller Island State Park Boat Tour - 1:00-5:30 PM
Join the Maryland Park Service and Maryland Environmental Service for a guided tour of Hart-Miller Island, a unique and ecologically rich site accessible only by boat. This off-site session begins with a scenic boat ride to the island, followed by a guided walk highlighting the island’s restoration history, wildlife habitats, and opportunities for bird watching. $15.00 [Link to Register] - 12-Mile Guided e-Bike Tour of Baltimore City - 1:00-4:00 PM
Join the Maryland Department of Transportation and guest speakers for a 12-mile ride through Baltimore City’s existing and planned transportation trail network. Leaving from the Royal Sonesta, attendees will ride urban bike lanes, hear about plans for the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network, and enjoy the Jones Falls Trail. Some of the ride will be on roads without bicycle facilities, so participants should have some experience with bike riding in an urban environment. A safety briefing, helmets, and e-assist bicycles will be provided; participants should bring water and wear comfortable clothing for bicycling. $15.00 [Link to Register] - Inner Harbor Kayak Tour - 1:00-4:00 PM
Join Baltimore City Recreation & Parks for a guided paddling experience through the Inner Harbor. Launching right across from the hotel, this excursion offers a unique view of the city’s waterfront. Previous kayaking experience recommended but not required. $15.00 [Link to Register] - Rock Climbing in Patapsco Valley State Park - 1:00-4:00 PM
Join members of the Western Maryland Climbing Coalition for a guided climbing session in the scenic Alberton area of Patapsco Valley State Park. This session is perfect for beginners looking to try outdoor climbing for the first time or for experienced climbers who want a refresher. All gear will be provided, and instruction will be tailored to participants' experience levels. $15.00 [Link to Register] - Trail Riding at Camp Puh’Tok - 2:00-3:00 PM
Enjoy a one-hour trail ride through Puh'tok's scenic trails. Max of 6 participants per trail ride. The maximum weight for riders is 225 pounds. Please note that each rider must register and pay separately. Please contact [email protected] with any questions. Please provide names, ages, weights, and riding ability level for all participants. $75.00 [Link to Register - select the 2:00 PM ride on October 30th] - Watermark Habror Cruise - 45-minute rides leave at 2:00 and 3:00 PM
The best way to see Baltimore! Join Watermark for a 45-minute narrated sightseeing cruise through the city’s vibrant Inner Harbor. Discover the rich history behind Baltimore’s waterfront renaissance and explore the unique stories of Charm City. As you cruise, you'll pass iconic neighborhoods like Federal Hill, Locust Point, Canton, Brewers Hill, Fells Point, and Harbor East. Sightseeing along the way includes notable landmarks such as Fort McHenry, the famous Domino Sugar sign, Under Armour headquarters, and more. $25.00 [Link to Register - choose 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM on October 30th]
MDBPAC Meeting (Tuesday)
Join the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MBPAC) at their quarterly meeting on Tuesday, October 28 at 10am. Made up of both citizens and State agency representatives, the MBPAC advises State government agencies on issues directly related to bicycling and pedestrian activity, such as funding, public awareness, safety, and education. The meeting will be held in-person at the Baltimore World Trade Center and virtually on Microsoft Teams.
If you plan to attend in-person, please RSVP to [email protected] by October 23 for building security and access purposes. If you plan to attend virtually, please join using this Teams link (ID: 215 979 482 611 7, passcode: Aw9xp9YP) or dial in by phone at +1 6667-262-2962 (conference ID: 374 885 716#). We look forward to seeing you there!
Continuing Education
Outdoor Recreation Summit attendees can earn up to 0.85 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Continuing Education Units (CEUs)!
CEUs can be earned based on the number of sessions attended. Attendees can earn .05 CEUs for each 30-minute session, and .1 CEUs for each 1-hour session. We will provide worksheets to help attendees track their progress. For reference, learning objectives and CEUs are listed in the agenda descriptions for each session on the website and in the Whova app.
Visit https://www.nrpa.org/certification/CPRP/cprp-renewal/ and select “Apply Online” to sign in or create an account and upload your CEUs to NRPA. If you have any questions about the reporting process, contact [email protected].
Summit Partners - Thank You!
Thank you to our wonderful Summit sponsors who supported this year’s event:
- Allegany County Tourism
- Areté Structures
- Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School
- Destination Paradise
- FOREI
- Gateway Forward
- Life Straw
- MD Dept of Tourism
- MD Tourism Coalition
- MD Sports Corp
- Under Armour
- Visit Hagerstown
- Watermark
- WGL
Our Summit Partners
