Youth Day Hike - Billy Goat Trail

Calling all youth (7th – 12th grade)!  Join us for a day hike on the Billy Goat Trail on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

The Billy Goat Trail is located near Great Falls in Potomac, MD.  It is a 2- to 3-hour hike over moderate to difficult terrain with rocky paths, steep inclines, and uneven surfaces.  Throughout the hike you’ll have views of the Mather Gorge and Potomac River.  

Departure: Meet at OFH at 7:00am for a 7:15am departure. 

Returning: We plan to leave the park no later than 3:00pm and may stop for dinner/food on the way home.  We will make real-time decisions based on the group’s desires and communicate with parents via the Realm Connect app and/or text messaging for return time updates.       

REQUIREMENTS:
Who: Youth Group (7th – 12th grade) 
Fitness: A good level of physical fitness is recommended to navigate the trail's challenges.
Clothing/Shoes: Please wear comfortable hiking clothes.  Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended.  Hiking boots (hard bottom and good traction) are highly recommended due to the rocky terrain and climbs.  Sneakers with good tread are minimally acceptable if you do not have hiking boots.

WHAT TO BRING:

· Backpack for the hike with:
              *  Drinks (~2 water bottles)
              *  Lunch/sandwich
              *  Snacks to eat on the hike

· Money (suggest ~$20) for the return trip (e.g., stop at Chick-fil-A or other restaurant / convenience store)

Other: Please note that the National Park Service (NPS) could close the trail due to storms and high water levels.  If the Billy Goat Trail is closed, we have a backup plan of hiking the C&O Canal which is right next to the Billy Goat Trail.  We will make a Go/No-go decision a day prior to the hike.

HELP NEEDED:

Adults/Parents are needed to help transport the youth and join us for the hike as chaperones.  Please contact Penny Dennis (301-862-9200 or church.office@ourfathershouseag.org) if you would like to volunteer as a driver and/or chaperone on the hike.

Contact Richard Shin for more hike details or Penny Dennis for assistance with signing up for this event.

A registration link will be coming soon.