Virginia

Kayaking the Eastern Shore: The Chesapeake and the Atlantic

Program No. 2285RJ
Kayak the shores, inlets and wildlife-abundant rivers of coastal Virginia with experts, learning about regional ecosystems and local history as you improve your kayaking technique.

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At a Glance

Experience the coastal environment from a new perspective as you kayak while viewing coastal flora and fauna. Paddle with Chincoteague Bay Field Station ecologists/biologists through salt marsh ecosystems, over eel grass beds and up a picturesque river and extraordinary coastal creeks of the Chesapeake and Chincoteague Bays.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Kayaking between 4-5 hrs a day up to 6 miles. Tandem kayaks only. Climbing in and out of boats. Paddling in forested rivers and in open marsh channels where wind and tidal currents can be strong; recent kayaking experience recommended. Good swimming skills are required. Walking up to a half-mile.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Experience day and night paddles through the diverse waters of the Eastern Shore, including the scenic Pocomoke River, which snakes through one of the northernmost cypress swamps.
  • Refresh your skills through classroom and field instruction and demonstrations, starting with the basics and progressing through more advanced skills.
  • Learn about the coastal and bay ecosystems of the Eastern Shore, winding through a salt marsh for intimate encounters with egrets, herons and other animals.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available. ****For this program, participants paddle in tandem kayaks (2 people per kayak) provided by the Field station each day.
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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.
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6 days
5 nights
14 meals
5 B 4 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Wallops Island
D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Field station check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your room assignment, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please contact the Chincoteague Bay Field Station to find out where to meet the group.

Dinner: In the cafeteria, 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: 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. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, and evening entertainment. Please keep in mind that the workshop schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather, access, seasons, and other factors. When you arrive, you will receive an updated schedule specially tailored for that particular week. Periods in the daily 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.

DAY
2
Pocomoke River, Barrier Island Ecology & Tides
Wallops Island
B,L,D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Getting in/out of vans. Driving approximately 30 minutes each way. Paddling about 6 miles throughout the day.

Breakfast: In the Chincoteague Bay Field Station cafeteria, our staff will present an array of fruits, hot and cold cereals, meats, breads/biscuits, eggs, and pancakes for your choosing. Coffee, tea, water, and a selection of soft drinks are available.

Morning: We will depart by field station van for the first paddle on the scenic Pocomoke River. Before heading out onto the water, we will introduce you to the world of kayaking with a brief demonstration of different paddling techniques provided by your leaders. The scenic Pocomoke River snakes through one of the northernmost cypress swamps. We will launch from Snow Hill, MD, but not before we stretch and practice our stroke techniques! Our maiden paddle will focus on developing important skills and technique. In addition, as you paddle, your instructors will provide information about the magnificent flora and fauna you will encounter and share their knowledge of the values and ecology of this unique environment.

Lunch: We will prepare our lunches prior to departure and enjoy them along the bank of the river. Lunch options will include sandwiches, fruits, chips, and cookies. Please bring a refillable water bottle. Extra water will be supplied by our guides.

Afternoon: The afternoon will be a continuation of the Pocomoke River cypress swamp paddle to the take-out site at the Nassawango Creek headwaters.

Dinner: In the cafeteria, our dining staff will prepare and serve cafeteria-style meals, with options ranging from a hot meal to a diverse salad bar. Coffee, tea, water, and a selection of soft drinks are available.

Evening: We’ll listen to a talk on barrier islands and the natural history, importance, and future of these unique ecosystems. Learn about how one of the world's most biologically productive areas constantly changes as a result of a multitude of collaborative environmental factors.

DAY
3
Janes Island State Park, Salt Marsh Ecology
Wallops Island
B,L,D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Getting in/out of vans; driving 32 miles, approximately 45 minutes to Janes Island State Park. Kayaking about 5 miles throughout the day.

Breakfast: In the cafeteria.

Morning: Today's adventure will lead us through Janes Island State Park in the Chesapeake Bay. Winding through the small tidal inlets of the salt marsh in our quiet kayaks will provide intimate encounters with egrets, herons, and other animals. We’ll learn about the different microhabitats within a marsh, the organisms that spend their lives there, and the reasons we should protect this increasingly endangered environment.

Lunch: Along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, we’ll once again have boxed lunches we prepared before leaving this morning.

Afternoon: We’ll continue paddling through the winding creeks and guts of the salt marsh.

Dinner: In the cafeteria.

Evening: Tonight, we’ll hear a presentation from our Field Station Educator on the different organisms in the area! We will set out the organisms for a fun and interactive talk about the local creatures that are beneath us while we paddle throughout the Eastern Shore.

DAY
4
Pocomoke River State Park, Simoneaston Bay
Wallops Island
B,L,D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Getting in/out of vans; driving 30 minutes to Pocomoke River State Park. Kayaking about 1 mile in the morning and 4.5 miles in the evening.

Breakfast: In the cafeteria.

Morning: We’ll head out by field station van to Pocomoke River State Park for a half-day paddle. This will allow us to kayak through winding creeks as we cut through some of the northernmost bald cypress swamps in the United States. Keep an eye out for a variety of birds, snakes and other wildlife.

Lunch: In the cafeteria, we’ll enjoy a hot meal, sandwiches, and a salad bar. Coffee, tea, water, and a selection of soft drinks are available.

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.

Dinner: After our evening paddle, we’ll dine at a local restaurant then return to the Field Station. On Day One, we’ll receive the menu for this restaurant and make our selections in advance.

Evening: Before sitting down to dinner, the evening's paddle will lead us through several winding tidal creeks and into a shallow, open bay. Along the way, we will get up close to oyster reefs and discuss local culture, history and ecology. This area also provides exceptional views of wading birds.

DAY
5
Assateague & Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Wallops Island
B,L,D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Getting in/out of vans. Kayaking about 4.5 miles in the morning. Driving up to 1.5 hours on the refuge.

Breakfast: In the cafeteria.

Morning: Today's adventure will take us to Memorial Park, the site of the annual Pony Swim made famous by Marguerite Henry’s novel, ‘Misty of Chincoteague.’ We will start on the north end of Chincoteague Island and kayak down the Assateague Channel. We’ll have great views of the Assateague Lighthouse as we kayak and learn from our Field Station Educators about some of the local history that has shaped the area.

Lunch: Upon reaching Memorial Park, our leaders will grill a wonderful lunch spread to fuel us back up after another great paddle. Choices include hamburgers, hot dogs, salad, fruit, chips, cookies.

Afternoon: We’ll head over to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague National Seashore. Wildlife abounds, as we may see herons, egrets, turtles, and the endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel. We will also visit the award-winning Bateman Visitor Center.

Dinner: The Eastern Shore is home to some outstanding American fare and seafood restaurants. Your meal will not disappoint at one of these fine eateries.

Evening: A local group will entertain us with live music tonight. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Wallops Island
B

Activity note: Field station check-out 9:30 a.m.

Breakfast: In the 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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