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Virginia

A Hands-On, Sea-to-Table Extravaganza on Chincoteague Island

Program No. 23441RJ
Learn about the aquaculture industry of Chincoteague as you harvest clams, catch crab and work with an expert local chef.
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  • Chincoteague Island Sea to Table
  • A chef instructs participants during a sea-to-table cooking class on Chincoteague Island, Virginia.
  • A close-up spoonful of Chincoteague, Virginia clam chowder with chunks of potatoes, clams, and herbs.
  • Chincoteague Island Sea to Table
  • A smiling man holds a whole cooked crab to his mouth to take a bite during a sea-to-table event in Virginia.
  • Chincoteague Island Sea to Table
  • Chincoteague Island Sea to Table
  • Chincoteague Island Sea to Table
Food & WineSmall Group
Length
6 days
Rating (4.94)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,249
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
13 meals ( 5B, 4L, 4D )
1 expert-led lecture
6 expert-led field trips
5 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
B&B check-in from 3:00 p.m. Road Scholar check-in 3:30-4:45 pm. Dinner at 5:00 pm
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us in the living room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive after dinner & Orientation, your packet will be in your room.
Dinner:
At the Inn
Evening:
Orientation: After dinner, your group leader will lead a brief orientation. We will discuss an up-to-date itinerary, safety procedures, and answer any questions. Life on Chincoteague Island, especially when it comes to the seafood industry, is governed by the tides. Therefore, our actual activity times may vary based on the tides. Know that the schedule online provides an overview, but a more concrete schedule will be provided upon arrival.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a school bus; driving approximately 7 miles, approximately 20 minutes. Getting on/off a pontoon boat; riding approximately 2 hours. Walking during field trips; generally flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the Inn
Morning:
We'll hop aboard our bus for a detailed bus tour of the Island. Your group leader will point out key landmarks before heading to the Wildlife Refuge and the beach. You will have to get off the bus and get a closer look at some wildlife. Next, we will head to the Museum of Chincoteague Island for a self-guided tour.
Lunch:
In a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will head to Curtis Merritt Harbor, where a pontoon boat will be waiting for us. Our boat captain will guide us through the Assateague Channel pointing out landmarks and notable wildlife. This experience will show us a perspective of the Island only visible by water.
Dinner:
In a local restaurant
Evening:
at leisure
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; 1 hour history tour. Walking less than 2 miles throughout the day; mostly level paved path. Getting on/off a pontoon boat. Opportunity to get off the boat to clam in the marsh, which will be muddy, feet & knees will get wet; wear clothes that can get dirty.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
We will climb aboard a pontoon boat, with a local clamming expert who will navigate us to a clam bed. He will give a short introduction to clamming, before letting us off the boat to do some clamming in the marsh. The time of this activity is dependent on the tides.
Lunch:
In the Legacy Pavilion
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will visit Island Creamery for a tour of a behind the scenes tour of the ice cream making process. Afterwards, you will have the chance to try some of their delicious ice cream! Next, Cindy Faith will give a lecture on the history of the seafood industry on the Island.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is up to you to enjoy at your leisure. Your group leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; short trips. Walking and standing during field trips; generally flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
We will hop on our bus and head to the visitor center at the wildlife refuge. A local expert will provide information about our local wildlife and answer any questions. Next, we will head back to the Channel Bass Inn for a cooking class. Bill will welcome us into the kitchen where we will prepare a lovely meal that will serve as our lunch.
Lunch:
At the Channel Bass Inn
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will have a beer & wine class led my a local wine shop. They will give insight into unique pairings and provide information on the wine making process. Afterwards we will head to the historic Beebe Ranch for a guided tour.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; short drives. Walking and standing during field trips; generally flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
We will have a slower start to the morning, giving you some free time, before heading to memorial park for a crabbing demonstration. Andy, a local waterman, will talk about his own experiences and tell us the trick to catching crabs.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will head to Tom's Cove Aquafarm, where will learn about this emerging industry. It has become a critical part of keeping Chincoteague's shell fish industry alive and thriving.
Dinner:
We will hop on the bus and head to the Museum's Legacy Pavilion, where we will enjoy a traditional seafood boil. During dinner, we will learn how to pick a crab! Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by Salts, seasoned singers/players who present energetic and eclectic performances of Celtic, nautical, traditional, and contemporary music. They will entertain us with witty banter while also teaching about their songs and instruments. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Inn check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
During breakfast, our Group Leader will conduct a closing round-table talk to review program highlights. 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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