Virginia

Ocean Science Adventures on Chincoteague Bay With Your Grandchild

Program No. 2579RJ
Learn all about the ocean and the animals that live in it with your grandchild as you study prehistoric horseshoe crabs, explore a salt marsh, collect sea critters and more!

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At a Glance

Why is the ocean blue? Is a sponge actually alive? We know your grandkids have a lot of questions, and our expert instructors are here to answer them all during a week of fun and exploration with your grandchild on Virginia’s Atlantic islands. Get your hands wet as you examine creek water, pull in a net full of wriggling critters and examine all the life that survives inside a single drop of sea water!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to half-mile over varied terrain, through water; climb bus stairs.

What You'll Learn

  • Enjoy an exclusive visit to Wallops Island NASA base, usually closed to the public, to learn about the sandy dunes and collect shells to take home!
  • Take a ride on an Oceanography Research Cruise to learn all about water quality and meet some of the awesome organisms that live in the area.
  • Get truly hands on at our numerous field sites around the area, including a salt marsh plunge and exploration of the intertidal zone.

General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 5-8 or 9-13, depending on the date. ATTENTION FOREIGN NATIONALS: Part of this program takes place on Wallops Island, which is a restricted access NASA base. In order to participate in the Wallops Island activities, all foreign nationals must complete additional paperwork at least 6 weeks in advance to be allowed access onto the base. Access is then subject to approval by NASA Wallops Island base. If you are a foreign national enrolled in this program, please contact the program provider directly at julie@cbfieldstation.org to request the required forms.
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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 available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby 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: In the Field Station Dining Hall.

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. We will review COVID protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. All programs are led by Chincoteague Bay Field Station staff, who will be the group leaders throughout the program. During the program, kids will prepare for a talent show. Program-related travel will be via field station bus. Meals will be provided in the CBFS dining hall or in the field. 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/current 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 Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
National Wildlife Refuge, Island Visit, Campfire
Wallops Island
B,L,D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Getting on/off a field station bus; driving about 12 miles each way, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking less than 1/4 mile; wet, muddy, and/or sandy terrain. Possible high temperatures on beach, no shade.

Breakfast: In the Dining Hall.

Morning: We will gather with one of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge’s educational staff who will tell us about the refuge system and the unique qualities of the refuge at the impressive Bateman Visitor Center, which we’ll take the bus to for a visit. Afterwards, we’ll get back on the bus for a ride to the beach.

Lunch: On the beach, we’ll have a cookout.

Afternoon: From the refuge center, we’ll hop aboard the field station bus and ride up the refuge’s Service Road –, a restricted access road – to the home of the majority of the wild ponies living on the island. Amid spectacular views, we’ll spend the afternoon searching for ponies and the birds of the island, including the piping plover and the brown pelican.

Dinner: In the Dining Hall.

Evening: We’ll enjoy an evening of traditional campfire fare with a variety of fun skits from field station staff and camp songs we can all participate in. We’ll top off the night with delicious s’mores!

DAY
3
Salt Marsh Ecology, Boat Trip, Movie Night
Wallops Island
B,L,D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Getting on/off a field station bus; driving about 12 miles each way to/from PM class, 4 miles each way to/from AM class, approximately 30 minutes total riding time. Walking less than 1/4 mile; wet, muddy, and/or sandy terrain. Wear bathing suit under clothes for AM class with clothing and shoes that can get very muddy, shoes must be sneakers or other very secure shoes that tie, and long pants must be worn. Getting on/off pontoon boat for PM class. Wear closed toe shoes and bring layers.

Breakfast: In the Dining Hall.

Morning: We’ll be joined by a Chincoteague Bay Field Station ecologist for an in-lab discussion about how wetlands function and why they are so important to the environment. We’ll then ride out to the salt marsh to experience and learn about this environment first hand. To experience the productivity of the saltmarsh, we’ll take a dip in the mud, then return to the field station.

Lunch: In the Dining Hall.

Afternoon: After lunch, we'll meet in the lab to discuss boat safety and what organisms we may expect to see on our boat. Then, after a short drive, we'll climb aboard a pontoon boat with Daisey's Island Cruises to observe wildlife and deploy our trawl net to see what organisms we can find under the water. Participants will get truly hands on with our aquatic friends!

Dinner: In the Dining Hall.

Evening: We’ll enjoy a movie night at the field station.

DAY
4
Fish Biology, Free Time, Adult Social, Talent Show Practice
Wallops Island
B,L,D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Getting on/off a field station bus; driving about 12 miles each way, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking less than 1/4 mile; wet, muddy, and/or sandy terrain. AM class wear bathing suit under clothing and clothes and shoes that can get wet. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: In the Dining Hall.

Morning: We'll meet in our lab for a short lecture from a CBFS ecologist on what makes a fish, a fish, then we'll head out into the field to get hands on, feet wet. Participants will dip net around oyster castles and seine in Chincoteague Bay to put their fish identification and handling skills to the test!

Lunch: In the Dining Hall.

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.

Dinner: In the Dining Hall.

Evening: Grandparents will enjoy some adult time with an evening social. We’ll have cheese, crackers, cookies, coffee, and tea available; feel free to bring your own beer or wine. Kids will practice with staff for the talent show tomorrow night.

DAY
5
Dune Ecology Lecture & Field Trip, Organism Lab, Talent Show
Wallops Island
B,L,D
Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Activity note: Getting on/off a field station bus. Walking less than 1/4 mile; wet, muddy, and/or sandy terrain.

Breakfast: In the Dining Hall.

Morning: A Chincoteague Bay Field Station ecologist will lead an in-lab discussion about barrier island formation and the unique pattern of life found on these islands. We’ll then go on a field trip to the pristine environment of the sand dunes of Wallops Island NASA base. This island is closed to the public, so this opportunity — exclusive to the Chincoteague Bay Field Station Road Scholar program — is a chance to see a natural beach ecosystem. While in the field, we’ll learn about dune succession and collect shells. Afterwards, we’ll return to the field station for lunch.

Lunch: In the Dining Hall.

Afternoon: In the lab, we’ll get a closer look at the organisms we’ve collected to help identify them and learn more about their interesting characteristics.

Dinner: In the cafeteria, we’ll have a traditional Chesapeake seafood boil with some non-seafood alternatives as well. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: Talent show and skit night! Bring along a guitar or your favorite song to teach the group. Kids will perform the lively skits we’ve practiced with camp staff. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
6
Photo Slideshow, Crafts, Program Concludes
Wallops Island
B

Activity note: Field station check-out by 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast: In the Dining Hall.

Morning: After check-out, we’ll hear from our fellow Road Scholars and share what we’ve learned and our favorite activity. We’ll also watch a slideshow of pictures from the week and kids will create a craft project to remember our program at CBFS. 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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