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Intergenerational Fossils, Fins and Fun - Exploring Chesapeake Bay

Program Number: 16112RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/15/2013 - 7/19/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Solomons, Maryland
Price starting at: $496.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational; Natural History
Intergenerational
Meals: 11; 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Program intended for grandchildren from 9 - 12 years of age.

Come explore the Chesapeake Bay's natural and human heritage with your grandchild. Comb the beach for fossilized shark’s teeth, build a model sailboat, learn how to sail a remote controlled model boat, and explore local lighthouses. Canoe down Back Creek to the Lore Oyster House to learn about the life of a waterman, visit a local sculpture garden for a taste of culture al fresco, and venture into the famous Cypress Swamp in search of native creatures. Take a cruise on the museum’s 100-year-old bug eye and learn about the strange and wonderful biology of oysters from a local marine biologist. Come experience the best of the best of Southern Maryland in a memory-making adventure.




Activity Particulars

Hiking up to 1/4 mile, uneven terrain, sandy beaches, stairs. Getting in and out of boat, carrying canoes, paddling up to 1/4 mile, sometimes upstream.



Coordinated by the Calvert Marine Museum.




Solomons

One hour and 20 minutes south of Washington, D.C., this historic waterfront community with the Patuxent River on one side and the Chesapeake Bay on the other continues to honor its maritime tradition, as noted by the local marine museum.
Accommodations
Participants stay at a comfortable hotel within walking distance of the museum. One dinner excluded from program price to explore local fare.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Jackie Takacs
Jacqueline Takacs is a marine specialist with the University of Maryland. Based at St. Mary's College, she trains teachers and students on environmental issues of the Chesapeake Bay. Jackie also develops interactive lessons for the Maryland Sea Grant website, and publishes the Maryland Sea Grant Schools Network Newsletter. She received a B.S. in life sciences and a M.S. in marine, environmental and estuarine sciences from the University of Maryland.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn Select
  Solomons, MD 4 nights
 Holiday Inn Select
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Marina, waterfront, walking distance to Museum and Town
  Ship Information: Physical address
  Contact info: 155 Holiday Drive
Solomons, MD 20688 USA
phone: 410-326-6311
web: solomonsmd.hiselect.com/
  Room amenities: TV, wireless Internet, hair dryer, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, free local calls,
  Facility amenities: Swimming pool, full service restaurant and bar, shop
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $115 Available if participants choose to make arrangements through Holiday Inn. Not required for program.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $115 Available if participants choose to make arrangements through Holiday Inn. Not required for program.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
1 pm You will be staying at Holiday Inn Select that night.
  End of Program:
12 pm. You will be staying at Holiday Inn Select the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
There is ample parking at the Holiday Inn.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Solomons, MD
  Nearest city or town:  Solomons, MD
  Nearest highway: MD Rte. 2/4
  Nearest airport:  Regan National or BWI
  From End of Program
  Location: Solomons, MD
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required

 

Regan National

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required

 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 25 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

63.85 miles
   

The best way to get here from the airport is to rent a car. To take a taxi would be cost prohibitive.
 

Baltimore - BWI

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required

 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 hours 
 

Distance:

 

73.33 miles
   

While it would be possible to get a taxi to transport you, the cost would be prohibitive. It would be more advisable to rent a car at the airport.
 
Driving Directions
  All Points From BWI Airport Take I-97 South to 3/301 South Continue on 301 South until RT4 South Take Route 4 south to Solomons Turn left at Solomons town center traffic light. Then take an immediate right Holiday Inn Select Solomons Conference Center and Marina's entrance is 0.8 mile on the left From Baltimore Take Route 695 to Route I-97 South Take I-97 South to 3/301 South Continue on 301 South until RT4 South Take Route 4 south to Solomons Turn left at Solomons town center traffic light. Then take an immediate right. Holiday Inn Select Solomons Conference Center and Marina's entrance is 0.8 mile on the left From Northern Virginia and Washington Capital Take I-95 South towards Richmond to Exit 11A (Pennsylvania Avenue / Route 4) Continue on Route 2 / 4 to Solomons Turn left at Solomons town center traffic light. Then take an immediate right. Holiday Inn Select Solomons Conference Center and Marina's entrance is 0.8 mile on the left. From Richmond Take I-95 North to US 301 North Continue on 301 until RT4 South Take Route 4 south to Solomons Turn left at Solomons town center traffic light. Then take an immediate right. Holiday Inn Select Solomons Conference Center and Marinas entrance is 0.8 mile
  From BWI Airport Take I-97 South to 3/301 South Continue on 301 South until RT4 South Take Route 4 south to Solomons Turn left at Solomons town center traffic light. Then take an immediate right Holiday Inn Select Solomons Conference Center and Marina's entrance is 0.8 mile on the left
  From Baltimore Take Route 695 to Route I-97 South Take I-97 South to 3/301 South Continue on 301 South until RT4 South Take Route 4 south to Solomons Turn left at Solomons town center traffic light. Then take an immediate right. Holiday Inn Select Solomons Conference Center and Marina's entrance is 0.8 mile on the leftt
  From Northern Virginia and Washington Capital Take I-95 South towards Richmond to Exit 11A (Pennsylvania Avenue / Route 4) Continue on Route 2 / 4 to Solomons Turn left at Solomons town center traffic light. Then take an immediate right. Holiday Inn Select Solomons Conference Center and Marina's entrance is 0.8 mile on the left.
  From Richmond Take I-95 North to US 301 North Continue on 301 until RT4 South Take Route 4 south to Solomons Turn left at Solomons town center traffic light. Then take an immediate right. Holiday Inn Select Solomons Conference Center and Marinas entrance is 0.8 mile on the leftt
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Initial Meeting/Corbin Pavilion Picnic
(Monday, July 15)
   
 Afternoon: Meet at 1:00 pm on Monday, July 9 at The Calvert Marine Museum for an orientation.
 Dinner: The group will have a picnic at the Corbin Pavilion, followed by get-acquainted activities in the museum and a behind-the-scenes tour with the director.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Select
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Toy boat building, sailing radio controlled model boats, explore the Drum Point Lighthouse, visit Annmarie Park and Sculpture Garden.
(Tuesday, July 16)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: Build toy model boats and learn to operate radio controlled model boats with the Small Craft Guild members in the museum's boat basin.
 Lunch: Lunch in the museum lounge.
 Afternoon: Depart from CMM to go to Annemarie Garden, a local scultpure garden.
 Dinner: Catered dinner at the museum
 Evening: Enjoy an optional movie for the children and grandparents. Grandparents may call this free time if they wish while the children watch the movie complete with popcorn.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Select
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Fossil hunting on the beach and Cove Point Lighthouse.
(Wednesday, July 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: Depart for Cove Point Lighthouse from the Holiday Inn at 9:00 a.m. for overview of fossils with museum paleontologist followed by fossil hunting on a fabulous private beach.
 Lunch: Lunch at noon at the Calvert Marine Museum.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore local sites of interest.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own in picturesque Solomons, Maryland.
 Evening: Free Evening to Explore Solomons Island.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Select
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: A canoe trip and some fishing will highlight the morning and afternoon activities. Watch out for the "Super Magic Man" in the evening.
(Thursday, July 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: Pick up at Holiday Inn and head to King's Landing Park. There you will enjoy a canoe trip along the Patuxent River.
 Lunch: Box lunch at noon.
 Afternoon: Enjoy an afternoon of fishing off the pier at King's Landing Park. Depart King's Landing at 3:00 p.m. for return trip to the Holiday Inn.
 Dinner: Cookout at Corbin Pavilion and bubble fun.
 Evening: Watch Reggie Rice, "Super Magic man" in the museum's auditorium at 7:00 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Select
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Oyster Adventure/Concluding Ceremony
(Friday, July 19)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: Meet under the Drum Point Lighthouse at 9:30 a.m. On this final day of the program, participants will head out on the Wm. B. Tennison, one of the oldest Coast Guard inspected passenger vessels on the bay, for an Oyster Adventure. Led by biologist and educator Jackie Tackas they will learn about the biology of the oyster.
 Lunch: Lunch in the museum lounge.
 Afternoon: The program will conclude with a final sharing.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


The Lighthouses of the Chesapeake


Author: Robert De Gast


Description: This text features a sequence of 32 photographic essays, documenting in 170 haunting images each of the lighthouses still standing along the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay. For each lighthouse there is a photograph of the structure in its setting, a view looking out from the lighthouse, and a close-up of some singular detail of the building. The text discusses how and why the lighthouses were built, important events in their history, and in some cases the lives of their keepers. The sequence of lighthouses follows an imaginary journey around the Bay, starting at Cape Henry, site of the oldest existing light.



Chesapeake


Author: James Michener


Description: Once again James A. Michener brings history to life with this 400-year saga of America's great bay and its Eastern Shore. Following Edmund Steed and his remarkable family, who parallel the settling and forming of the nation, CHESAPEAKE sweeps readers from the unspoiled world of the Native Americans to the voyages of Captain John Smith, the Revolutionary War, and right up to modern times.



Beautiful Swimmers


Author: William Warner


Description: Beautiful Swimmers covers the crabbing industry and the impact of this lovely crustacean on the Bay and its economy - a worthy journalistic endeavor. But for me, the real beauty is in the joy of just reading this charming work.





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