Our story / Since 2022
Every climb
starts
somewhere.
For Hills to Climb, it began with a belief that the possibilities of summer camp should reach more young people.
Explore our annual reflections
Where it began
Baltimore roots.
Wider horizons.
Established in 2022 by three Maryland natives, Hills to Climb grew from the founders' own appreciation for the lasting influence of summer camp. They wanted to make new outdoor experiences possible for young people in Baltimore.
The approach starts with relationships that already matter. Hills to Climb works with established youth programs, creating shared experiences that can strengthen the connections between young people, their peers, and trusted adults beyond the summer.
Participating families are not charged for the camp experience.
A few steps along the way
From an idea
to a shared experience.
- 2022
Lay the groundwork.
The organization formed its board, developed programming and policies, and prepared for its first summer.
- 2023
Welcome the first campers.
The inaugural summer experience began on July 9 with 29 young people from Next One Up, a Baltimore youth mentoring program.
- 2026
Keep building connection.
The summer program served 80 young people from four youth partner organizations.
Milestones through 2023 are drawn from the annual reflections below; 2026 comes from Hills to Climb's summer program records. They describe those years, rather than a current roster or upcoming event schedule.
Leadership / 2026
Our board
shows up.
Hills to Climb's volunteer Board of Directors guides the organization's direction, and you'll often find them at camp, right alongside the young people the work is for.
Donald Hauprich
Chair, on the board since 2022
Retired, Liberty Grove UMC
Dorinda M. Tucker, MBA, CCEP
Secretary, on the board since 2022
The George Washington University
Robert Smith
Finance Committee Chair, on the board since 2022
Retired, T. Rowe Price
Aquira Herring
Board member, on the board since 2025
Caleb McClain
Board member, on the board since 2023
360 Transitions / Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness
Michael Nelson
Board member, on the board since 2023
Baltimore City Fire Department
The work, year by year
Annual reflections
Explore Hills to Climb's published accounts of the experiences, community, and work behind each year.
These are Hills to Climb's published annual reflections for 2022–2025. Figures, people, and acknowledgments in each report belong to that reporting year.
The next chapter
There's more
to experience.
See what young people are sharing about camp, explore a partnership, or find your place on the team.
Founding story adapted from Hills to Climb's published philosophy and history.