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Georgia

Discover Georgia’s Barrier Islands With Your Grandchild

Program No. 2534RJ
Adventure awaits with your grandchild as you sail on a shrimp boat, climb a storied lighthouse, meet injured sea turtles and search for nesting turtles on a night beach walk!

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Age 9 - 12
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
DATES
Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2025
Per Adult
2,999
Per Child
1,699
Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2025
2,999
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
2,999
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
4,299
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
Jun 15 - Jun 20, 2025
Per Adult
2,999
Per Child
1,699
Jun 15 - Jun 20, 2025
2,999
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
2,999
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
4,299
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
Jun 22 - Jun 27, 2025
Per Adult
2,999
Per Child
1,699
Jun 22 - Jun 27, 2025
2,999
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
2,999
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
4,299
/ Adult
1,699
/ Child
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!

At a Glance

Spend an exciting week with your grandchild on sunny South Georgia beaches, hopping around to Jekyll, Saint Simons and Sapelo — three different and unique islands. Set out on an adventure together under the stars as you search the beach for a possible Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest. Drag a seine net through the surf as we explore the creatures that thrive in the shallows of the Atlantic. Dig through the rocky ruins of an old military fort, and shout your way into the Gullah culture through their songs and heritage. On this island adventure with your grandchild, swimming, shrimping and learning all about sea turtles and the ecology around them will keep you busy during this memorable week together.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2 miles daily, including beach and marsh walks; ferry ride to Sapelo. School bus or park van for field trips on Sapelo. Turtle walk at night over uneven terrain and sandy beach soil.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Meet sea turtles up close with scientists at a turtle hospital and on a night beach walk to look for nesting turtles.
  • Hop aboard Lady Jane, a retired U.S. Coast Guard ship, to trawl (or fish with a net) for shrimp and other ocean critters.
  • Take a ferry to secluded Sapelo Island to see how the Gullah people preserve an African heritage from before the Civil War.

General Notes

For a comparable family adventure for all generations, check out "Discover Georgia’s Barrier Islands With Your Family" (#23552).
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Terrie Dal Pozzo
Terrie was raised in New Orleans and moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands at the age of 18. She became the youngest woman in the Virgin Islands to obtain a Coast Guard license to operate motor and sailing vessels. Terrie skippered sailing vessels, taking guests on journeys through the Leeward Islands, teaching them to sail and snorkel and educating them on island life. She later lived in Kitzbuhel, Austria and Perth, Australia before returning to the Virgin Islands. She currently lives in eastern Tennessee.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Terrie Dal Pozzo
Terrie Dal Pozzo View biography
Terrie was raised in New Orleans and moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands at the age of 18. She became the youngest woman in the Virgin Islands to obtain a Coast Guard license to operate motor and sailing vessels. Terrie skippered sailing vessels, taking guests on journeys through the Leeward Islands, teaching them to sail and snorkel and educating them on island life. She later lived in Kitzbuhel, Austria and Perth, Australia before returning to the Virgin Islands. She currently lives in eastern Tennessee.
Profile Image of Stephanie Chewning
Stephanie Chewning View biography
Stephanie works with One Hundred Miles as a coastal education coordinator. She is responsible for developing hands-on environmental education programs for all ages. Stephanie’s love for the ocean started at a very young age on the beaches of Stone Harbor, New Jersey. She earned her degree in marine science from the American University. After college, Stephanie spent time teaching grade school students environmental science in Florida, California and Georgia. Stephanie spends her free time running, reading and going on adventures with her husband Richard.
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.
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
12 meals ( 5B, 3L, 4D )
5 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
6 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
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation. 5:00 p.m. 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 Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren during the program. Children are never to be left unsupervised. Periods 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. The schedule is also subject to change depending on beach tides. An updated daily schedule will be provided upon arrival. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We’ll gather for games so everyone can get to know one another better. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. 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 a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking at field trip sites; variable terrain, sand and paved sidewalks. Digging at archaeological site is mostly shaded. St. Simons Lighthouse has 129 steps to the top.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll hop aboard a motorcoach and ride to St. Simons Island and Fort Frederica, 18 miles away. At Fort Frederica, a naturalist will tell us the history of the 18th-century fort and town of Frederica. We’ll also learn about methods used to examine the historical archaeology. We’ll then have some expert instruction and participate in an archeological dig at Fort Frederica, identifying and classifying findings in a lab on-site. As we explore the fortress’s barracks, walls, moat, and surrounding houses, we’ll learn about its history. We’ll also see a film to gain a deepened perspective on Georgia’s colonial and Civil War eras.
Lunch:
At a popular restaurant in the village.
Afternoon:
We'll visit the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, built in 1862-1872. The Lighthouse is 104 feet tall and 21 feet in diameter at the base, tapering to 10 feet at the base of the gallery. It has 129 steps to the top. The light continues to be active and is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. We'll return to the hotel and have time to cool off in the pool before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will be joined in our classroom by a local expert for a presentation called, "Sea Turtles 101.
Activity Note
Early morning getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 60 miles round-trip, approximately 2 hours. Getting on/off a ferry; ride to Sapelo Island approximately 30 minutes; restrooms on board. Getting on/off a school bus. Walking about 1 mile over several hours throughout the day; uneven terrain, sand, grass. Wear or take a bathing suit for beach and seining; restrooms at beach area.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach at 7:00 a.m. for the ride to Darien, Georgia, to be in time for the only ferry that goes to Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve. There we’ll hop aboard a school bus with a local expert who will tell colorful stories of island inhabitants as we ride around the island. First, we’ll visit the “new” lighthouse on the south end, then hike into the maritime forest to learn why the old one could no longer serve its original purpose. Next, we will head over to Nanny Goat Beach. We’ll compare this pristine specimen of Georgia barrier island to Jekyll Island. We’ll learn about barrier island dynamics, play sea turtle games, and frolic in the ocean. We will go on a seining adventure to find out “What’s In The Water/Turtle Food Resources”. We’ll be seining in knee-deep ocean water and identifying what we catch — and what we bring up in the net may be a surprise!
Lunch:
Lunch will be provided by one of the local families.
Afternoon:
As we head back to the ferry after lunch, we'll ride past the R.J. Reynolds Mansion. We can't go inside because the mansion host overnight guests. At the end of the field trip, we’ll return the way we came via ferry and motor coach.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will regroup after dinner for a presentation by a local group specializing in Gullah Geechee cultural performing arts such as singing, chanting, and acting, much of it with a historical focus on slavery. This group was invited to participate in the Washington D.C. inaugural parade for President Obama. Children may participate in the dance.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 12 miles each way, approximately 20 minutes. Getting on/off retired Coast Guard ship, now a shrimping boat; study cruise approximately 1.5 to 2 hours; dress according to weather.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start off the morning by traveling from Jekyll Island to Brunswick, GA, approximately 12 miles. We’ll transfer to the dock where we will board the Lady Jane, a 49 passenger steel ship that was retired from the United States Coast Guard and is now a shrimping boat. We’ll ride in comfort and look on as the crew demonstrates how to trawl the waters for a catch. If you like you can help our fishermen friends by helping to sort out the shrimp from the other types of fish that could be in the net. Species may include bluecrab, sand shark, puffer fish, horseshoe crab, blacktip, bonnethead, amberjack, whiting, spot, crocker, or others. While aboard, our captain and his mates will provide educational commentary. We’ll then return to the dock and transfer back to the hotel.
Lunch:
On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period 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. The beach is close by and the hotel has restrooms for guests The hotel van is available to take and pick up. Bike rentals are available from the hotel.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and will provide a list of choices. You might like to eat out independently at one of the restaurants on Jekyll or dine at the hotel.
Evening:
Have fun doing what you like on an island you'll never forget.
Activity Note
Sea Turtle Center is located right behind the hotel, less than one-tenth of a mile. Standing in Turtle Center up to an hour; benches outside. Walking on sandy, wet, uneven beach terrain at Boneyard Beach, which is sandy and wet with fallen trees that kids may climb.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll start the day off with an early morning beach walk and talk about barrier island dynamics focusing on Jekyll Island. Note: This activity is tide dependent and could take place in the afternoon. We’ll head out to the beach by trolley or van for activities on Great Dunes Beach. On the way back to the hotel, we’ll stop at Boneyard Beach and explore the shoreline to observe the longshore current and its movement of the sand along the coastline. As low waves fill the tidal pools, we’ll wade in to look for different organisms that might be there, before high tides arrive once again and carry them away. We’ll also climb trees, do sand-filled “research activities,” watery investigations, and have tons of photo-ops.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
Learn from park rangers about the island's natural resources. During this hands-on experience, you'll learn about the American Alligator's history, biology and conservation. Rangers will help demystify misconceptions about these powerful reptiles.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will leave by motor coach or trolley to meet the Georgia Sea Turtle Center educators on the beach for our night turtle walk. A staff member will explain the legal rules, regulations, and safety considerations for our “turtle walk” field trip. Flashlights, camera flashes, and other lights are not allowed. The staff will have a special flashlight that meets the requirements of the Jekyll Island Lighting Ordinance. We’ll then walk along the beach with a local expert and Center staff to search for nesting sea turtles. This walk will begin at 9:00 pm and last 2 hours unless we find a nesting turtle site then it could last up to three hours. It is a late night event but well worth it.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. 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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MEALS
12 Meals
5 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
4 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
  • Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
  • Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
  • Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025
  • Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
5 nights
Location: Jekyll Island
The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is Jekyll Island's only four star resort and National Historic Landmark. Enjoy casual and fine dining, nine miles of beach, bicycling, 63 holes of golf, tennis, heart of historic district, horseback riding, and much more.
5 nights
Location: Jekyll Island
The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is Jekyll Island's only four star resort and National Historic Landmark. Enjoy casual and fine dining, nine miles of beach, bicycling, 63 holes of golf, tennis, heart of historic district, horseback riding, and much more.
5 nights
Location: Jekyll Island
The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is Jekyll Island's only four star resort and National Historic Landmark. Enjoy casual and fine dining, nine miles of beach, bicycling, 63 holes of golf, tennis, heart of historic district, horseback riding, and much more.
Participant Reviews
5
Based on 15 Reviews
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This participant did not give a star rating.
Rita – Class of 2018 | Portland, OR
I have taken a number of trips with Road Scholar and this is my third grandparent:grandchild trip. I was very disappointed in this trip and, at this point, would not recommend it to another grandparent considering this for a 12 year old grandchild. The primary criticism from both our granddaughter and us is that the age range from 8 y.o. to 12 y.o. is not a good range. The 8 year olds and the 12 year olds are in compketely different developmental stages and their interests and attention spans are different. Our granddaughter is a very mature 12 y.o. At least half of the children on this trip were 8 y.o to 9 y.o. They had nothing in common with our granddaughter. They were rowdy, talked through the bus trips -- particularly during the movie on the bus -- and just generally were not a good fit. Perhaps I might feel differently if there were other 12 y.o. on the trip but there was only one other girl. As a pediatrician and a grandparent, I think a range of 11 y.o. - 14 y.o. or 12 y.o. to 15 y.o would have been a much better range for common interests and developmental stages. We all thought the trip on the shrimp boat was far and away the highlight of the trip If there is any way for future trips to include two experiences like that or a full day on the boat, it would be a great improvement We also thought that the movie about the life cycle of the turtle would have been a high point but showing it on a bus ride was ridiculous. My husband says there was a screen directly above us and the screen we could see was multiple rows ahead of us. The noise from the bus driving down the street, coupled with the noise from the 8 y.o and 9 y.o. in the back of the bus made the dialogue from the movie impossible to hear. This could have been shown in an afternoon or the evening or even as a part I and 2 which would have been a marked improvement. The group leader was Terry and she did a great job and the excursion leaders all were terrific..
— Review left July 24, 2024
Kathleen – Class of 2024 | Northfield, MN
A wonderful combination of learning about the Georgia Barrier islands from sea turtles, stingrays and alligators to historic English forts, lighthouses and Gullah culture. We made many memories that my granddaughter and I will cherish.
— Review left July 8, 2024
Patti – Class of 2021 | Bend, OR
Jekyll Island with grandchildren was a very fun learning experience for both the kids and the grandparents. We both learned a lot.
— Review left June 30, 2024
Phillip – Class of 2013 | Duluth, MN
Terrie was a fantastic leader. Each day was new experiences. The shrimp boat was a highlight of the trip for our granddaughter. There was the right amount of free time to jump in the pool and cool off. Lodging was the best we have ever had on an intergenerational trip. I highly recommend this for your grandchildren!
— Review left June 21, 2024
Kenton – Class of 2022 | Denver, CO
My grandson and I had an adventure which we will always remembe,in experiences and now in photos. I highly recommend it for anyone who would like to give the gift of lifetime to their grandchild
— Review left June 16, 2024
Diane – Class of 2024 | Pownal, ME
I could not be happier with this experience for my granddaughter or myself. So rewarding on many levels and I'm glad I have two more grandchildren who will reach the age of going on one of your trips.
— Review left June 15, 2024
Nancy – Class of 2014 | Ashburn, VA
Great program. Nice mix of activities.
— Review left July 22, 2023
Teresa – Class of 2022 | Henrico, NC
Just got back from turtle adventure, Jekyll Island, Georgia with my granddaughter. We had so much fun laughed a lot learned a lot and can’t wait to do i another one
— Review left July 21, 2023
Donna – Class of 2015 | Frederick, MD
I highly recommend this program as it really covers all the attributes of an excellent Learning Adventure. The guides and instructors were extremely knowledgeable and presented to us in ways which appealed to both generations. Kids have as much fun as the adults and vice versa!
— Review left July 1, 2023
This participant did not give a star rating.
Kathleen – Class of 2007 | Somis, CA
I highly recommend this program. It is filled with many interesting activities. The leadership was excellent - organized, knowledgeable, and friendly.
— Review left June 26, 2023
Tamara – Class of 2003 | Claremont, CA
This trip exceeded my expectations. The chance to bond with my granddaughter went beyond anything I could have foreseen. The group leaders, Tom and Janet, were down to earth and professional at the same time. Tom was encyclopedic in his knowledge and entertaining and witty. The accommodations were luxurious. My granddaughter and I gained respect and knowledge of sea turtles and the Georgia barrier islands. All in all a grand experience.
— Review left July 24, 2022
Lynne – Class of 2012 | Florence, KY
My husband and I took our almost 12-year-old grandson. He really enjoyed the trip and learned a lot. We enjoyed it also. Our main leader, Tom, was very interesting and made himself available to us at all times. There were a couple of minor things we would have changed, but I would recommend this program.
— Review left July 23, 2022
Ruth – Class of 2022 | Moreno Valley, CA
This program was tailored in such a way that both my grandson and myself had a great fun experience.
— Review left June 27, 2022
Cheryl – Class of 2018 | Rosemount, MN
This is a marvelous program if your grandchild loves sea life and is interested in ecology and science. The program tours three coastline islands is beautiful, historic, and unlike any place I have visited. The history and beauty of Jekyll Island Club Resort and the historic Inn with charm you.
— Review left June 19, 2022
Wendy – Class of 2021 | Groveland, FL
Just returned from this trip with our Granddaughter! Loved the Jekyll Island Resort, loved our instructors, loved our transportation! It was much more then just about Sea turtles. The kids were able to learn, see and tough alot of different types of sea life including, shrimp, various crabs, baby shark, small stingrays, baby octupus and jellyfish. Such a great learning time with them. Loved this trip!!!
— Review left July 24, 2021





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