Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2025
1,699
949
Virginia
Misty of Chincoteague: An Island Adventure With Your Family
Program No. 22788RJ
Discover the real-world setting of Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of Chincoteague” with your family and explore the island habitats where wild ponies roam with other wildlife.
Enroll with Confidence
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Age 8 - 17
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2025
| 1,699 / Adult
949 / Child
| 1,699 / Adult
949 / Child
| 2,399 / Adult
949 / Child
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Aug 17 - Aug 22, 2025
1,699 949 | ||||
Aug 17 - Aug 22, 2025
| 1,699 / Adult
949 / Child
| 1,699 / Adult
949 / Child
| 2,399 / Adult
949 / Child
| |
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 4L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Chincoteague , Va.
2
Boat Cruise, Museum of Chincoteague Island, Misty Movie
Chincoteague , Va.
3
Wildlife Refuge, beach time, Beebe Ranch
Chincoteague , Va.
4
Tom's Cove, Ancient Creatures
Chincoteague , Va.
5
NASA Wallops Visitor Center, Chincoteague Picnic, Free Time
Chincoteague , Va.
6
Pirates & Treasure Lecture, Program Concludes
Chincoteague , Va.
At a Glance
Chincoteague is a magical island, where herds of wild ponies run free, bottlenose dolphins play in quiet coves nearby and eagles soar over marshes teaming with marine critters. Chincoteague has fascinated children for generations, thanks to the island’s most famous resident in history: Misty the wild pony and the main character in a famous children’s book (and movie). Learn Misty’s story as you and your family visit her home, and learn how she has helped this island community. Visit restricted areas of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and explore the back trails on a leisurely bus ride. Play and swim at one of the longest undeveloped shorelines on the Atlantic coast, and meet park rangers as you collect marsh specimens. Plus, visit the NASA Visitor Center on Wallops Island to find out about the rockets that launch there! **NASA visit is contingent upon them opening to the public.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to one-half mile on level ground, getting on and off a school bus, getting on and off a pontoon boat
Family Programs
Share your love of learning with your family. These programs are designed for any combination of generations: grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents and children.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Visit the Beebe Ranch, once home to Misty, the iconic Chincoteague pony, and spend time with a “Saltwater Cowboy” firefighter to learn how the wild ponies have survived.
- Get close to wild ponies, bald eagles, terrapin, deer, elk and other animals as your Group Leaders bring you to exclusive spots in the wildlife refuge that nobody else gets to see and normally are restricted.
- Ride the island waters by pontoon boat to watch for porpoises, water birds and ponies as you sail past the Assateague Lighthouse.
General Notes
This is a Family program for participants, their adult children and grandchildren ages 8 and up. For a comparable intergenerational adventure for just grandparents and grandchildren only, check out "Misty of Chincoteague: An Island Adventure With Your Grandchild" (#18685)!
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Cindy Faith
Cindy Faith has been a Group Leader and lecturer at the Museum of Chincoteague Island’s Road Scholar programs for many years. Raised on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, her knowledge of the region’s natural and local history is encyclopedic. Her expertise runs the gamut from horseshoe crabs and wild ponies to pirates and the Civil War’s impact on the Chincoteague region. Combined with her warm sense of humor, Cindy’s vast knowledge assures Road Scholar participants of an informative and interesting experience.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Cindy Faith
View biography
Cindy Faith has been a Group Leader and lecturer at the Museum of Chincoteague Island’s Road Scholar programs for many years. Raised on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, her knowledge of the region’s natural and local history is encyclopedic. Her expertise runs the gamut from horseshoe crabs and wild ponies to pirates and the Civil War’s impact on the Chincoteague region. Combined with her warm sense of humor, Cindy’s vast knowledge assures Road Scholar participants of an informative and interesting experience.
Hunter Leonard
View biography
Hunter Leonard has extensive knowledge in so many different aspects of Chincoteague. He is one of many generations of Saltwater Cowboys in his family, a member of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, a boat captain, owns a duck hunting business and has a bachelor’s in marine biology and a minor in environmental science from The College of William and Mary. Hunter prides himself in being able to answer any and all questions related to Chincoteague Ponies..
Beth Scheeley
View biography
Beth Scheeley was born and raised on Chincoteague Island. She has many family ties to the island, which makes her a true "teaguer." Beth has an extensive knowledge for Chincoteague's history. Her childhood memories of Chincoteague's past looks, restaurants and people will call for endless conversations and stories during your time with her. Her go-getter personality and friendliness will surely make you feel right at home on Chincoteague Island.
Darcy Cole
View biography
Darcy has lived on the island for over 15 years. In her early encounters with the wild horses of Assateague, she became fascinated with the idea that each horse had a name and a personality. In those 15 years, she has become a regional expert on the horses, publishing books on the horses and conducting workshops and talks related to the horses. In addition to her many lectures at the Museum of Chincoteague, Darcy serves as a Team Leader on the two annual Service Projects.
Suggested Reading List
(5 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Misty of Chincoteague: An Island Adventure With Your Family
Program Number: 22788
Chincoteague and Assateague Islands (MD and VA) (images of America)
This book provides a short pictorial and narrative description of these two barrier islands, their history and relationship. One is a small town community catering to thousands of tourists who come almost year-round to enjoy the beach and view the wildlife on the other. Available in the Museum gift shop in person or online at www.chincoteaguemuseum.com
A Walk on the Beach: Into the Field Guide
For the kids; a portable easy to use guide to beach critters designed to get kids excited about exploring waterfront life. Available on Chincoteague at Sundial Books (www.sundialbooks.net).
The Watermen and Wild Ponies: A Chincoteague Waterman Remembers Life on Chincoteague and Assateague
Share the experiences of surviving on Chincoteague and Assateague from the people who have lived them.
In 1912, Chincoteague was emerging as a thriving seaside community. It was the only outside contact for the small village on Assateague Island. The watermen were tough and courageous. They worked long days dredging oysters or tonging clams and return to the island to cull their catch for shucking. They labored building large ocean "pound" traps to catch a wide variety of fish from their local waters. The seafood industry was the focal point of the island economy.
Mother Nature played her part in making life hard on the islands. The hurricanes and floods could be brutal. The relentless changing ocean currents and tidal surges threatened the fragile island home of the famous wild ponies.
The great fires of the 1920s were devastating to the community on Chincoteague. Yet the people rebuilt from the ashes each time with new hope. The creation of the causeway to the mainland and the building of the bridge to Assateague Island were massive undertakings for these persevering people. They are what makes Chincoteague and Assateague unique.
This is their story. The isolation, the struggles, their compassion and courage as told by a Chincoteague waterman. Available in the Museum gift shop in person or online at www.chincoteaguemuseum.com
Misty of Chincoteague
A Newberry Honor book, for children 8 - 12 years old. This is the story of Paul and Maureen Beebe and their quest to buy the elusive Phantom, a wild Chincoteague pony. On Pony Penning Day, they not only bring in the Phantom, but also her colt, Misty. It is a wonderful heart-warming tale of the efforts of two children to achieve their dream. Available in the Museum gift shop in person or online at www.chincoteaguemuseum.com
Stormy, Misty's Foal
This sequel to "Misty" describes the events on Chincoteague during the Ash Wednesday storm in 1962. Misty is about to give birth and the book details the actions the Beebe's take to ensure a safe birth. It also covers the role Misty and her foal play in raising donations to restore the island after the storm. Available in the Museum gift shop in person or online at www.chincoteaguemuseum.com
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
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
3 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
4 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Chincoteague Island
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). Getting on/off a bus.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, walk next door to the Museum of Chincoteague Island’s pavilion and the Road Scholar table inside 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 locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
Catered in the Museum Pavilion
Evening:
Orientation: after dinner in the museum pavilion, 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. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. This is a Road Scholar Family program. Families are responsible for their children/grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. 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/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 participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Boat Cruise, Museum of Chincoteague Island, Misty Movie
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Chincoteague Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; getting on/off a pontoon boat; boat ride.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Taking the bus to Curtis Merritt Harbor, we’ll board a pontoon boat to cruise along island waters as we look for ponies, eagles, migrating birds, porpoises, and other marine life. Our boat captain and first mate will explain the marsh and shoreline habitats and regale us with stories of life on the water. We'll pass clam beds, learn about aquaculture, and see the site of the Annual Pony Swim, which we will learn about from various experts throughout our trip.
Lunch:
In the park, weather permitting, or at the Museum
Afternoon:
We will explore the Museum of Chincoteague Island, then hop on the bus and head over to the Island Theatre. Here we will watch “Misty” — the classic movie based on Marguerite Henry’s beloved book “Misty of Chincoteague” that was inspired by real life. The movie premiered here in 1961. Misty left her hoof prints in cement on the sidewalk and Marguerite Henry herself wrote Misty’s name. Be sure to snap a photo of this iconic landmark!
Dinner:
Catered dinner in the museum's Legacy Pavilion
Evening:
We will gather in the Museum Pavilion, where we will hear from a local expert all about the events that occur during Chincoteague’s Annual Pony Penning Week the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, and explain why the ponies are so valued by the community and visitors to the island. NOTE: This activity may move to a different time, dependent upon the Firefighter/Saltwater Cowboy's schedule!
Day
3
Wildlife Refuge, beach time, Beebe Ranch
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Best Western Plus Chincoteague Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; morning safari: driving 15 miles round trip, about 2 hours riding time. Elective swimming and/or beach walking according to personal preference. Ranch activities, including meeting two equine descendents of Misty of Chincoteague.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our bus and ride to the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge on Assateague to look for and learn about wild ponies, petite Sika elk, nesting terrapin, otters, bald eagles, Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, and other wildlife. A local wildlife expert with years of experience will be our instructor. We will be going into an area closed to public vehicle access, so be sure to bring your camera for this trip since it is a rare treat. After the Safari, we will head to the beach! Children as well as adults will be given the opportunity to swim in the ocean, as long as it is marked safe by the lifeguards. Children must be watched over by their grandparents. If you are not up for swimming, you are more than welcome to search for shells, build sand castles, or relax next to the calming waves.
Lunch:
Catered lunch in the museum's Legacy Pavilion.
Afternoon:
We will hop on our bus and head over for an afternoon at the Beebe Ranch, where we will learn local lore and meet a few ponies. Two are descendents of Misty of Chincoteague!
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Tom's Cove, Ancient Creatures
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Chincoteague Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Walking under 1 mile on wet sand and in marsh waters. Working in wet/muddy conditions.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will put on old shoes and clothes we don’t mind getting wet and take a field trip to Tom's Cove on Assateague, where National Park Service rangers will lead us on an exploration of the cove waters as we look for clams, oysters, crabs, shrimp, and other shoreline critters.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch in the Museum Pavilion.
Afternoon:
In the Museum's legacy pavilion, we'll enjoy a couple of activities with local experts. Enjoy hands on lessons about ancient local creatures still thriving today - and the surprising connection to health sciences. After this, enjoy a short break with time for a swim at the hotel, if desired!
Dinner:
Kids will have a dinner party at the Museum of Chincoteague, while adults will take the bus to a local seafood restaurant.
Evening:
While at the museum, kids will participate in group activities, with the help of two Road Scholar assistants. After dinner, grandparents will return to the museum by bus, where grandchildren will have the opportunity to show their grandparents what they learned at the museum.
Day
5
NASA Wallops Visitor Center, Chincoteague Picnic, Free Time
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Chincoteague Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving 13 miles roundtrip, under 1 hour riding time. Walking 2 miles total on flat surfaces. Extent of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will learn about local NASA activities and some space science, then board the bus and ride to the NASA Wallops Visitor Center on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Established in 1945, Wallops is now NASA's principal suborbital research facility. Current NASA policies permitting, we will have the opportunity to enjoy a self-led exploration of the visitor center’s featured exhibits about the history of the facility, aeronautics, rockets, scientific balloons, and current missions.
Lunch:
grab & go lunch from the museum pavilion
Afternoon:
Free time. This 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.
Dinner:
Regrouping at the museum, we will have a traditional island picnic in the pavilion featuring regional favorites with live music. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Pirates & Treasure Lecture, Program Concludes
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Walking over to the Museum Pavilion and back to the hotel (the pavilion is across the parking lot from the hotel). Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather in the Museum Pavilion, where we will hear from a local expert all about the pirates and treasures associated with the area and the island. We’ll then return to the hotel. This concludes our program. 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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MEALS
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 22, 2025
- Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
- Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 22, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 2 Reviews
Sort By:
This programs is awesome! I had heard of Chincoteague but I never knew what an amazing place it is. We saw amazing nature, ate great food, enjoyed a terrific beach, made new friends and learned a ton- it was a fantastic week for daughter, dad and grandma!
— Review left August 17, 2024
I encourage program planners to limit number of participants. Our group of 20 was perfect. I would have been extremely unhappy to be on a hot school bus with a much larger group. It was just under the comfort level if too hot without air conditioning. It must be insufferable in August.
— Review left June 21, 2019
