These past few months have been filled with change. While we each navigate the pandemic and the personal adjustments that come along with it, the status quo has been upended and consistently challenged time and time again. Between shutdowns, travel bans and a devastated economy, industries across the globe have been forced to pivot.

The Visit Baltimore team is no stranger to making quick and strategic adjustments all while keeping our clients and customers top-of-mind. While we adapt to a new virtual currency where we’re unable to meet with our clients face-to-face or share the wonders of our beautiful city in-person with them, we can develop new ways to stay in touch and provide valuable resources.

Taking into account how much can be done virtually and the fact that trips and day camps were canceled this summer, the Visit Baltimore sales team got creative and dreamed up a program called “Camp Baltimore”, which launched in July. Through this virtual summer camp, we have been able to reconnect with clients and invite them to enroll their children in fun, free and Baltimore-inspired activities hosted by local tastemakers and performers. This virtual programming option gives children enriching, hands-on learning opportunities all while giving our clients some time back in their day.

The initiative was not only a positive way our sales team could reengage with clients and continue to create touchpoints, but it was also a way to showcase the City of Baltimore in a meaningful way.

Since we know kids want to get their hands dirty. Camp Baltimore has offered a “Creating a Tropical Terrarium” session, an activity where children’s minds can run freely with nature and learn some plant basics. Other hands-on offerings include a beginner’s cooking lesson with Baltimore’s own Chef Egg. This interactive cooking lesson will teach kids how to make an iconic Baltimore dish, Captain Crunch French Toast, from brunch favorite Blue Moon Café.

Other sessions include up close and personal time with the National Aquarium’s aquatic life, vocal lessons, improvisation sessions and theatre games from from the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, history and learnings from the Babe Ruth Museum, the B&O Railroad Museum, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum and the Maryland Science Center.

We love our city and we love our customers. During this unprecedented time, Camp Baltimore has allowed us to reconnect with our customers and the City of Baltimore in a new and impactful way.