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Passengers on a boat trip in Virginia photograph wild ponies along the marshy landscape of Assateague Island.
Virginia

The Islands of Virginia's Eastern Shore: Chincoteague, Assateague and Wallops

Program No. 2018RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals ( 5B, 4L, 5D )
5 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Wallops Island
The Islands of Virginia's Eastern Shore: Chincoteague, Assateague and Wallops
Oct 18 - Oct 23, 2026
Program Number 2018
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Activity Note
Chincoteague Bay Field Station check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please contact the Chincoteague Bay Field Station (CBFS) to find out where to meet the group.
Dinner:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. On Day One, we’ll receive menus for each of the restaurants we’ll visit this week and make our selections in advance. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off buses or vans; driving about 12 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time in the morning and afternoon. Walking up to a 0.5 mile on sandy terrain at the beach. Please dress in layers as it can be windy on the boat and beach.
Breakfast:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Morning:
We will take a cruise aboard a pontoon boat and learn all about the history and unique features of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. We'll also talk about the wild ponies that call Assateague Island home and hopefully catch a glimpse of them from the boat!
Lunch:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we will visit the restricted access beach on the NASA Wallops Island base, an environment that is great for education as well as shelling. Our CBFS educator will stop to identify and explain any neat shells or specimens we may find as we stroll along the beach. Note: Our access to Wallops Island will depend on the security level of the base at the time that is determined by factors independent of the Chincoteague Bay Field Station.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner, we’ll watch a painting come to life as a local professional artist talks about and demonstrates the techniques used to render our natural world on canvas.
Activity Note
Getting on/off buses. Driving about 12 miles; approximately 1/2 hour riding time in the morning and afternoon. Short walks to/from the bus and in museums.
Breakfast:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Morning:
This morning we will visit the Museum of Chincoteague Island and learn more about the history of the island and the people who live there. We will also visit the historic Beebe Ranch, home to the real-life Beebe family who inspired Marguerite Henry to write her best-selling book Misty of Chincoteague.
Lunch:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll travel to Pocomoke City, MD to visit the Delmarva Discovery Museum. Built on the banks of the Pocomoke River, the Delmarva Discovery Museum has exhibits about the culture, history, and natural environment of the Eastern Shore.
Dinner:
Take-out from a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by a local decoy carver who will tell us about the history of duck hunting and decoy carving on the Eastern Shore as well as give a short demonstration of the techniques he uses while carving.
Activity Note
Getting on/off buses. Driving about 11 miles; about 1/2 hour driving time. Walking up to a half mile, possibly on wet, muddy, and/or sandy terrain
Breakfast:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Morning:
We'll be joined by a photographer and expert on the ponies of Assateague Island who will share some historic information about the herds as well as her personal connection to and experiences with the ponies. Then, we'll travel to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to observe the wildlife on the island.
Lunch:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Afternoon:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
In the dining hall, we’ll enjoy a family-style seafood feast! Sample local crabs and shrimp or if you choose, grilled chicken or roasted vegetables. Coffee, tea, water, and a selection of juices and sodas are available.
Evening:
We’ll enjoy entertainment by talented local musicians and storytellers.
Activity Note
Getting on/off buses; driving up to an hour between stops. Standing up to 1/2 hour at a time, chairs available.
Breakfast:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Morning:
This morning we'll explore some of the marine organisms that call the waters surrounding the Eastern Shore home in an interactive lab led by our field station educators. Then, we'll travel to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science's Eastern Shore Lab to learn about the work they are doing to restore bay scallops, a once locally extinct species, to their previous range.
Lunch:
Takeout from a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll visit the Barrier Islands Center, a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Virginia's barrier islands.
Dinner:
In the CBFS cafeteria.
Evening:
After dinner we'll visit the award-winning Island Creamery and sample some of their numerous flavors of delicious homemade ice cream.
Activity Note
CBFS check-out 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast:
In the CBFS cafeteria. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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