In the fall of 1978, a small group of fans got together and formed the Star Trek Association of Towson. The following July (1979), the first Shore Leave was held at Towson State College (now Towson University) as a one-day convention. In 1980, Shore Leave II was held as a three-day convention at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn.  After 41 years, we re-incorporated as a 501(c)7 organization. We are now known as the STAT Club of Maryland, Inc. We remain a group of about 50 fans drawn together by our love of science fiction and science fact, coming from all walks of life, occupations, and educational backgrounds. We are all volunteers who work from September to July every year to put together our annual meeting – Shore Leave. We are actively looking for new members and volunteers, and we would look forward to welcoming you into our organization. Please think about joining us as active members. Our monthly meetings are hybrid, so even if you live far away and can’t travel to meet us, you can still participate via Zoom

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STAT Club of Maryland named its convention after the original Star Trek series episode “Shore Leave.” The episode featured Kirk and his crew taking R&R liberty in an alien race’s amusement park, where visitors were free to escape the problems and worries of 23rd Century living and instead, “play,” by experiencing or re-living their fondest fantasies. We wanted to provide a similar opportunity to fellow Trekkers—a chance to briefly escape the problems and concerns of the 21st Century and, instead, have fun.