Misty of Chincoteague: An Island Adventure With Your Family

Program Registration: 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Museum of Chincoteague Island, next door to the hotel. Hotel check-in for room assignment begins at 4:00 p.m. Meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. Please feel free to call ahead of time if you know you will be late. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

In the Museum Pavilion.

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. This is a Road Scholar Family program. Adult participants are responsible for their children at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Throughout the week, we will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus unless noted otherwise. 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.

At the hotel.

Our morning will begin with a bus tour of the Island. Your group leader will point out important landmarks and share some stories about her life on the Island. Next, you will venture onto the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge for your first chance to catch a glimpse at the wild ponies. You will also have a chance to see various bird species and other critters. Afterwards, you will head to the Museum of Chincoteague Island for an exclusive visit.

In the Museum's Legacy Pavilion

After lunch Christina Murray will join us for a lecture on whelks! This ancient creature has long been part of our local ecosystem. After the lecture, Christina will guide you through a craft that relates to this unique sea creature. We will hop on the bus and head over to the Island Theatre. Here we will enjoy a private viewing of ‘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. After the movie, we will head out to see where 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!

In the Museum’s Legacy Pavilion.

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 – organized by 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.)

At the hotel.

Tuesday morning, we will have a field trip to the Chincoteague Pony Centre. The Pony Centre is home to numerous Chinocteague Ponies as well as lambs, goats, mules, etc. Staff will give us a behind the scenes view of how to care take these special animals and their involvements in our Island community. Afterwards, we will head to the Museum Pavilion to hear from Cindy Faith, the Assistant Director of the Museum of Chincoteague Island. She will share an engaging lecture on pirates, shipwrecks, and buried treasure. She will explore local tales regarding pirates and the inspiration behind our newest exhibit.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch we will have a brief break to prepare for a trip to the beach! We will have some beach toys, and suggestions for activities. There will also be lifeguards on duty, if you would like to take a dip in the ocean. We will stay on the beach as a group for around two hours. Participants will have the opportunity to take their own vehicle to the beach if they would like to stay longer!

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.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will put on old shoes and clothes we don’t mind getting wet and take a field trip by bus to 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.

In the Museum's Legacy Pavilion

Current NASA policies permitting, we will board the bus and ride to the NASA Wallops Visitor Center, where 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. Established in 1945, Wallops is now NASA’s principal suborbital research facility, and one of the busiest spaceports in the country.

Kids will have a dinner party at the Beebe Ranch, while adults will take the bus to a local restaurant.

While at the Ranch, kids will enjoy a pony show by the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team, and a dine in the newly constructed replica of Misty's Barn.

At the hotel.

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 Museum's Legacy Pavilion

After lunch, we will head to the iconic Assateague Lighthouse. We will be met by two experts who will discuss the history of the lighthouse and how it is used today. You will also have the chance to climb to the top.

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.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel.

During breakfast in the hotel cafe, the Group Leader will conduct a roundtable discussion, highlighting the week’s activities and experiences. 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 like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!