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A wooden boardwalk winds through the salt marshes of Assateague National Seashore in Virginia during a dramatic sunset.
Virginia

Chincoteague Service Learning: Preserving Barrier Island Environments

Program No. 2637RJ
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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
5 expert-led field trips
6 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Chincoteague , Va.
Chincoteague Service Learning: Preserving Barrier Island Environments
Oct 25 - Oct 30, 2026
Program Number 2637
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Activity Note
Motel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Refuge Inn conference room. Meet with your Group Leader, 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 motel conference room.
Evening:
Orientation will follow immediately after dinner. Our Group Leader will greet everyone, leading introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. At orientation, you will also receive a list of service projects you will have the opportunity to participate in throughout the week. Sign-ups for specific projects will take place every evening. Work will officially begin on Tuesday, so you will sign up for your first project Monday evening. Each project has an assigned group leader who will provide oversight and expert supervision. Projects vary depending on the time of year and specific needs of our community. They may include beach clean-up, sign-painting, pony corral repairs, and museum collections / historic preservation. All projects are designed to help maintain the heritage and history of the Island, ensuring that our visitors and local community can continue to enjoy this unique place.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Working at project site.
Breakfast:
At the motel.
Morning:
We will learn local history from the Group Leader on a bus exploration of Chincoteague Island. Next, we will visit the Museum of Chincoteague Island, where we will see the rare First Order Fresnel Lens that was the original lens on the Assateague lighthouse. We will meet the Executive Director, who will give an introduction before we enjoy a self-directed exploration at our own pace.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will visit Island Creamery, a family owned and operated ice cream shop on the Island. It is a summer staple for tourists and locals alike. After a sweet treat, we will visit the Beebe Ranch, the ancestral home of Misty of Chincoteague. This property aims to preserve the iconic legacy of Misty and the Beebe family. This story is incredibly important to the identity of the Island and it is a must see land mark for all visitors.
Dinner:
Right before dinner, we will gather in the Museum to sign-up for projects for the next day. Dinner will be served in the Museum's Legacy Pavilion
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Working at project site.
Breakfast:
At the motel.
Morning:
We will travel by bus to the project location and carry on with this morning’s work schedule.
Lunch:
We will reconnect for lunch in the Legacy Pavilion.
Afternoon:
We will continue our service learning work project(s). We expect to wrap up around 3:00 p.m., then return to the motel and adjourn for the day.
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.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Working at project site.
Breakfast:
At the motel.
Morning:
We will travel by bus to the project location and carry on with the work schedule.
Lunch:
We will reconnect for lunch in the Legacy Pavilion.
Afternoon:
We will continue our service learning work project(s), with expected wrap-up and return to the motel around 3:00 p.m.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Dinner will be at a local restaurant. After dinner we will have a lecture about pirates, shipwrecks, and buried treasure with our historian, Cindy Faith.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Working at project site. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the motel.
Morning:
We will travel to the project location and carry on with the work schedule.
Lunch:
We will have lunch on site.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon, we will come together as a group for a beach clean-up.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
In the Museum’s Legacy Pavilion we’ll be joined by the 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
Motel check-out by 11:00 a.m. Getting on/off a bus. Minimal walking on the lighthouse grounds. Those who wish may climb 175 stairs to the lighthouse’s observation deck.
Breakfast:
At the motel.
Morning:
After breakfast you will say farewell to your group leader. This is a good time to reflect on your trip and share highlights with eachother.
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Map details are not available for this location.