Life & Work with Charles Thomas III of Highland Maryland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Thomas III.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
I attended the University of New Mexico as a student-athlete and received a BA in Recreation. After college, I pursued my career and traveled to Canberra, Australia, where I was a professional basketball player, and I also ran a basketball camp in the off-season. My internship was the first time I had worked at a summer camp. On my return to Maryland, I worked for Recreation and Parks Department for both Howard and Montgomery Counties as a Camp Director. I began working for the Columbia Association as a Recreation Coordinator at the Teen Center and developed the Midnight Basketball League in Howard County. I soon became the Camp Manager for the Columbia Association and worked for the Columbia Association for 26 years before being released in August 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. After leaving Columbia Association, I decided to invest my savings in my camp, Camp Bloom of Maryland. We attempted to open last year, and although we trained staff and got prepared for camp, we did not attract any campers, In the fall of 2021, I created my business CT III Enterprise with a DBA at Camp Bloom of Maryland and a DBA at CT Light Hauling and Bulk Trash Removal.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
It has been difficult to attract campers and get funding, and with Covid and so many camps in the area, it’s tough to compete with other camps and kids’ programs.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known as a leader in the community, and I am most known for running multiple camps for Columbia Association during the summer and developing mentoring programs at my church Hopkins United Methodist Church, and the Columbia Association. I specialize in helping others and organizing events like camps, trips to sporting events, outings, and family gatherings. I am most proud of my children because I feel like I lead by example, and because of that, I feel like I have positively impacted them.

What does success mean to you?
Achieving goals is one way to measure success, but it’s more about my journey. The things you learn, the connections you make with others, and the ability to help someone else while trying to fulfill a purpose are things that equal success for me.

Pricing:

• Camp Creations cost $315 per session
• Camp Excursions cost is $415 per session

Contact Info:

• Website: www.campbloomofmaryland.com