A Home Away From Home

If you’ve been around the Downtown YMCA, you probably know Carol Baker. Correction – if you’ve been to the Downtown YMCA in the past 66 years, you probably know Carol Baker. A lifelong Frederick native, Carol has been a YMCA member since elementary school when she joined the Y swim league. Several decades later, you can still find her in the pool or at the fitness center.

Throughout her life, Frederick County has been a focus of Carol’s professional and personal life. She worked as a teacher and coach at Walkersville Middle, New Market Middle, Ballenger Creek Middle, Carroll Manor Elementary, and Oakdale Middle. The opportunity to help children with skill development, such as breaking down sports into different components, is an aspect of physical education teaching Carol enjoyed.

Outside of her career as an educator, Carol served on the Board of Directors with the Y, community groups at Lake Linganore, and the Tour de Frederick. Her dedication to community and YMCA was recognized in 1990 when she won a service award for her support of the Y’s capital campaign.

Although there are other places to swim or exercise, Carol prefers the Y – “the YMCA is a home away from home, it’s an organization that tries to meet all ages and abilities, and welcomes a very diverse population.” From her first job as a Day Camp Counselor, to her group of swimmers today, the YMCA is proud to have Carol as a member and a leader in our community.