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 and catch crab and work with an expert local chef.
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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
)
8 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
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, History
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
D
Stay:
Channel Bass Inn
Activity Note
B&B check-in from 3:00 p.m. Road Scholar check-in 3-4:45 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: In the B&B dining room, our 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. Life and events on Chincoteague Island are governed by the tides: high tide, low tide, and slack tide — the times between high and low tides when there is no perceptible current at all. Therefore, our actual activity times, especially those on the water, may vary somewhat from day to day based on the tides and on the tidal flow. 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. To close the evening, we’ll have a brief Meet & Greet to begin getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Boat Cruise, Island Creamery Tour
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Channel Bass Inn
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 the bus and ride to the Merritt Harbor, where we will board a pontoon boat and take a cruise of the Assateague Channel.
Lunch:
In a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Departing from the restaurant, we will ride over to the Island Creamery, where we have a behind the scenes tour and sample the delicious ice cream.
Dinner:
In a local restaurant
Evening:
at leisure
Day
3
Clamming, History Tour, Free evening
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Channel Bass Inn
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:
Today we will enjoy two local activities, with times dependent upon the tides. We will hop on our bus and head to the dock. En route, we will stop at the Hill House, the oldest building on Chincoteague Island. Once aboard the pontoon boat, we will visit a clam bed, where we'll have the opportunity to exit the boat and do some clamming in the Assateague channel. We will learn about clamming, the clamming business and the marsh, which is the nursury of the ocean, and also provides edible plants.
Lunch:
At the Inn
Afternoon:
We will hop on our bus for a history tour around Chincoteague Island. We will see historic sites, including the Carnival Grounds, Beebe Ranch, and the Museum of Chincoteague Island. Weather permitting, we will stop and get off the bus at one or two sites. Dependent upon the tides, the activity times are subject to change for this day.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Aquaculture, Crabbing with local experts.
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Channel Bass Inn
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 Assateague National Seashore for a hands-on activity with a National Park Service Ranger, learning about local sea creatures. Next, we will head to the park for a lecture on crabbing, and a hands-on crabbing demonstration. Next we will visit the Farmer's Market, with an opportunity to browse stands with seafood, fruits & vegetables, arts, crafts and souveneirs.
Lunch:
At Memorial Park
Afternoon:
After lunch we’ll hop on the bus and head over to the Aquaculture Farm in to learn about growing and harvesting oysters, as well as the local aquaculture. After this, we will head back to the hotel for a little free time before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Beer & Wine tasting, Cooking with the Chef, Seafood Feast
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Channel Bass Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; short drives. Walking and standing during field trips; generally flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
This morning, we will have the opportunity to cook with the Chef, learning island recipes, and creating a wonderful meal for ourselves.
Lunch:
At the Inn, we will enjoy the foods we prepared this morning!
Afternoon:
We'll be joined by the staff from a local boutique specializing in wine and specialty beer. We will learn about flavors, nuances, and food pairings and during a tasting of beer and wines.
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.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B
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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