Grand Re-Opening of Nationally Recognized Historic Maryland Barn
Claggett Center Barn Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Scheduled for June 22, 2023
ADAMSTOWN, MD - June 7, 2023 This June, the Claggett Center will celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the Delaplaine Barn–the 125 year old structure located on its Frederick County, Maryland campus. The 6,300 square foot Pennsylvania bank barn is recognized by the National Park Service and Maryland Historic Trust as an intact and prime example of turn of the century timber framing. Members of the public are invited to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the Delaplaine Barn at the ribbon cutting… Read More
Dear Friends in Christ, Exciting things are taking shape with the barn renovation at the Claggett Center. Construction is on schedule! Through the generosity of many individuals, congregations, and charitable organizations, we have raised $2.49 million of our $3 million goal. Will you help us cross the finish line to Raise the Barn? Gifts and pledges made during the month of October will be matched dollar for dollar up to $250k by George B. Delaplaine, Jr., a generous Claggett supporter. The barn is being rapidly and carefully transformed. The staff and design team are working closely with the Maryland Historic… Read More
Dear Friends of Claggett
For nearly 70 years, The Claggett Center has provided a peaceful environment where friendships are formed and relationships with God are developed, renewed, and strengthened. Today, as stewards of this special place, we are determined to build a stronger Claggett for generations to come. This spring, we are raising funds to renovate the historic Barn so the meeting, gathering, and dining spaces can accommodate multiple groups or large groups on campus at the same time.
We are initiating the next step in Raising the Barn, a $3,000,000 capital campaign, and we invite you to be a part of this exciting effort. We have already raised over 80% of… Read More
Dear Friends,
Since the opening of the Christiane Inn in 2015, Claggett’s hospitality ministries have grown. It is important to us that Claggett is available as an essential resource for Christian formation and transformation, which is why we are pleased to introduce a new system for booking events that will better ensure that Diocesan groups have first priority.
Starting with 2023, an upcoming calendar year will now open approximately a year and a half in advance, with a system for taking Diocesan reservations first. Qualifying diocesan events include: any event associated with a parish in the Diocese of Maryland or… Read More
Dear Friends in Christ,
We are blessed to live in a region that is rich in natural resources, diversity, and history. It is often when we step away and apart from our day to day routines and into the thin spaces around us, that we are able to grow in our own formation and transformation.
To this end, many of us have participated in programs, attended parish retreats, or spent a week at summer camp through the resources of the Claggett Center, located in Frederick County, Maryland. What started as a camp for youth in 1952 by the Diocese of… Read More
Camp Spirit Song Holds Winter Retreat Session
Camp Spirit Song is offered in partnership with the SpiritWorks Foundation to give the gift of a camp experience to children in Province III (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia) affected by the opioid substance use disorder of a parent or other close loved one. This is the second year of Camp Spirit Song, and the first camp program of its kind on the east coast.This special winter weekend retreat is offered to help campers get back into community after missing a year due to the COVID pandemic. Campers have… Read More
Parents face difficult choices as they balance their child(ren)’s need for a quality education with their family’s need for reliable income. According to the Brookings Institution (July 2020), 70% of parents with young children will be dependent on the reopening of childcare programs and schools to return to work. While this points to a vital national economic need, there is an even more urgent and ongoing issue as parents working in jobs defined as essential are required to be in person, making childcare critical to the fulfillment of those essential functions.
Virtual learning also presents a major healthcare issue apart… Read More
The Claggett Center has been awarded a Jump Start Business grant from the Frederick County Government. This grant program was created by the Frederick County Government with funding provided under the Coronavirus Relief Fund, as established under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). Read More
Dear friends,
After much prayer, research, and deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all scheduled summer camps for 2020. This decision was made after careful review of information from the CDC, the American Camp Association, Governor Larry Hogan’s Roadmap to Recovery, and our local health department, and through many hours of discussion between the Claggett staff, Board of Trustees, and colleagues in camping ministry throughout the country.
At the heart of camp ministry is the belief that our lives and relationships are changed when we truly seek to love our neighbors as ourselves. At camp,… Read More
The Claggett Center is a proud recipient of a COVID-19 Emergency Relief grant from The Delaplaine Foundation. The COVID-19 Emergency Relief grant program supports nonprofit organizations with an increase in demand in direct services to people most adversely affected by this crisis and/or grants to support general operating expenses when revenues have been impacted by COVID-19 related closures.At this time, Claggett is scheduled to be closed to the public until July 16, 2020. We will continue to follow the recommendations of health officials regarding when we reopen to the public and how we operate. The health and safety of our… Read More
The Claggett Center is a proud recipient of two COVID-19 Emergency Relief grants from The Community Foundation of Frederick County and United Way of Frederick County. The COVID-19 Emergency Relief grant program supports nonprofit organizations with an increase in demand in direct services to people most adversely affected by this crisis and/or grants to support general operating expenses when revenues have been impacted by COVID-19 related closures.At this time, Claggett is scheduled to be closed to the public until May 14, 2020. We will continue to follow the recommendations of health officials regarding when we reopen to the public and… Read More
Dear Friends and Guests of the Claggett Center,
We are in an unprecedented time in which the situation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) changes daily. During these times of hardship, confusion, and uncertainty, we at the Claggett Center wish the best for you and your loved ones.
In accordance with government health recommendations, the Claggett Center will remain closed to guests until May 14, 2020. Our offices remain open Monday through Friday with employees ready to take new reservations, answer questions regarding existing reservations, and register individuals for summer camp and other programs.
Supporting Your Retreat Plans
We know that flexibility… Read More
Dear Friends and Guests of the Claggett Center,
The Claggett Center board of trustees met last night and made the difficult decision to close the Claggett Center to guests beginning at noon today, March 13 until noon, March 27, 2020.
This decision is in line with the direction of government officials; yesterday afternoon Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order that all public schools close until March 27 and public gatherings of 250 or more are prohibited. By closing to guests for the next 14 days, the Claggett Center is joining other large institutions in taking action to protect public… Read More
The Claggett Center is closely monitoring the international outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China (COVID-19). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of March 3, for the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low; however, the Claggett team has increased precautionary measures, training, and communication throughout the facility.
Claggett is closely monitoring the situation through updates from the CDC, the Maryland Department of Health, the American Camp Association, along with direct… Read More
This summer, the Claggett Camp and Conference Center sponsored Camp Spirit Song, for children affected by the opioid epidemic. The Claggett Center partnered with the SpiritWorks Foundation to provide children an opportunity to lay down some of their heavy burdens and just be kids for a week. BBC America has produced a three-part documentary series on the opioid addiction crisis in the United States. Camp Spirit Song and the safe space created for children to have fun while surrounded by caring, compassionate staff and peers who can relate to their experiences, is featured in the third installment of the series. “Campers learn about building community as they play, worship, eat, and live together,” said Rita Yoe, programs coordinator at… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFree Summer Camp for Children Impacted by Opioid AddictionBUCKEYSTOWN, MD - June 4, 2019 The Claggett Center, in partnership with the SpiritWorks Foundation and the Province III Opioid Response Task Force of the Episcopal Church, is accepting applications for Camp Spirit Song, a free summer camp experience for children grades 4-8 who are affected by the opioid addiction of a parent or other close loved one. Camp Spirit Song’s inaugural session is scheduled for August 11-16, 2019.Through the generous support of passionate donors, Camp Spirit Song is offered at no cost to campers’ families.This specialized overnight camp will use the U.S. Department… Read More
Claggett Center Offering Meals for Furloughed Federal Employees
BUCKEYSTOWN, MD - January 23, 2019 As part of the mission and ministry to serve all in Christian hospitality, the Claggett Center is offering complimentary meals to federal employees in need of assistance during the government shutdown. Federal employees and their families, who are not getting paid at this time, are invited to join us as our guest at any of our conference centers meals this week, January 22-27.
Wednesday, January 23: Lunch & Dinner - 12pm, 6pm
Thursday, January 24: Lunch & Dinner - 12pm, 5:30pm
Friday, January 25: Lunch &… Read More
Dear Friends of the Claggett Center,
It is with great enthusiasm that we share with you that Rita Yoe has been named the new Programs Coordinator at the Claggett Center.
Rita will be a member of the Claggett leadership team and serve year-round, full-time in this new, exciting position. Rita will oversee programming for both youth and adults at Claggett--from summer camp and mid-year programs for youth to men's and women's retreats for adults. The addition of this full-time, year round position honors the enthusiasm around and growth in programming seen over recent years. Rita is uniquely positioned to… Read More
Written by the Rev. Kent Marcoux, rector of St. George's, D.C.
For many years the Claggett Center has been hosting successful summer camps for Maryland’s young people. This year for the first time, EDOW has partnered with Claggett and the Diocese of Maryland – a collaboration that supports Claggett Summer Camps as the destination for EDOW campers and staff, this summer and going forward.
Claggett Center provides an ideal camp setting – 268 acres that include a working farm and extensive facilities, including a junior Olympic-size pool, a ropes course and zipline, hiking trails, and canoeing. It is holy ground… Read More
Written by Lisa Marie Ryder
Co-Executive Director of the Claggett Center
The Claggett Center will have a presence at the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Austin! General Convention is a unique opportunity to promote the Claggett Center and market our facilities to national church groups. Claggett's location and facilities are ideal for the many events, meetings, and various retreats that national groups host. Also, the Christiane Inn was not yet completed as of the last convention, so we are especially looking forward to spreading the word about our incredible new conference lodging that so many in the Diocese contributed to. … Read More
Dear Friends of the Claggett Center,
Many of us experience the Holy Spirit at work in our lives when we spend time at the Claggett Center. God is indeed active and present to us as we come away for awhile with open-hearted intention.It is with this same open-hearted intention that the Co-Executive Directors of the Claggett Center, James and Lisa Marie Ryder, and I share with you that the Rev. Spencer Hatcher, Director of Summer Programs, has accepted a new position that will require her to relocate to Berkeley, CA. Effective September 1, Spencer will serve as the Director of Diocesan Relationships… Read More
(BALTIMORE, February 28) Lisa Marie and James Ryder are the new Co-Executive Directors of The Claggett Center of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. They begin their duties on the first of May.Lisa Marie and James Ryder were married in Dickerson, Maryland in 2011 and became parents in January 2018, when their son, Fletcher, was born. They both currently serve at Camp McDowell in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, and are members of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Jasper, Alabama.In their new roles, Lisa Marie will oversee administration and James will oversee daily operations, sharing the Executive Director position. They will live onsite at The Claggett Center."Lisa Marie and James bring incredible energy, grace,… Read More
