Amy Koch and her husband, Chris, live in Spring Ridge with their children Tessa (5) and Caleb (2)— just minutes from historic downtown Frederick.
But Koch brings the heart of Frederick home. As board president of Celebrate Frederick, she helps nurture the iconic sense of community the City of Frederick is known for.
Koch first joined Celebrate Frederick in 2011 as a volunteer when she was looking for somewhere to get involved in the community. Now, she supports the organization’s event committees through her work with the board.
Celebrate Frederick is a local, volunteer-run nonprofit that works in partnership with the City of Frederick to host 11 community events each year, including the Summerfest Family Theatre and Beyond the Garden Gates.
When she’s not busy making Frederick events happen, she’s working part-time with National Institutes of Health as a management analyst.
What do you love about being a parent?
Almost everything! I think the most fun part about being a parent is getting to experience everything through the lens of my children—the holidays, the trips and even just the little things like playing in the backyard. I’m getting to experience that all over again through a very positive and youthful lens.
What do you love about your volunteer work?
Celebrate Frederick has been wonderful for me individually because it’s been an organization I’ve been able to be involved with through different stages of my life. When I was younger and single, I was involved in events like “In the Streets,” and then as I had children, there [were] a lot of events that [spanned] the different interests and age groups.
They still have “In the Streets,” but I’m sharing the kids’ block as opposed to hanging out at the craft beverage experience. Now, my kids go to the Summerfest Family Theatre and Kris Kringle Procession, but it’s all in the same all-encompassing idea that Celebrate Frederick is bringing together a community.
How do you balance work time and family time?
Being a mom is part of my personality in every job and every position that I’m in. So, even though I like to really set boundaries [between] my workplace and my home, I am coming to work as a mom, and bringing those values into my work, and coming to Celebrate Frederick as a mom and bringing those perspectives, and experiences and values into that role.
I think it took me a little while to find my work-life balance and to understand for myself that I really needed to set those boundaries. We have been very lucky to have grandparents who have been our child care when I work, but I really think it has taken me some time. I want to keep my work during work time but also bring my full self, and being a mom is definitely my full self.
What is something you hope your children learn from you?
I hope they learn the importance of giving back and being involved in your community. Their dad is a great example—he’s a volunteer firefighter. And their grandparents are all people who give back. I hope that they see that through me, too, and what I prioritized.
What is something your children have taught you?
They’ve taught me to get off my phone and experience what’s going on around me, whether it’s little things in nature or just experiencing their joy. They’ve taught me to slow down and take it all in.
Family Favorites
Meal: Taco night
Dessert: Ice cream and cookies
Local Spot: Baker Park
Vacation Spot: Lake Anna, Virginia
Family Activity: Oktoberfest celebrations
Read More: Parent You Should Know Julie Redmond
