Virginia
Chincoteague Service Learning: Preserving Barrier Island Environments
Program No. 2637RJ
Help preserve and maintain the town of Chincoteague and the Assateague National Seashore — as you learn about the island’s unique music, culture and lore.
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Protecting the Environment
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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
3 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, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
D
Stay:
Refuge Inn
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 Museum of Chincoteague Island. Meet with 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 motel conference room.
Evening:
Orientation will be immediately following dinner. 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. This evening is the time to sign up for one of several interesting projects we’ll begin tomorrow. Each project has an assigned team leader who will direct us in our tasks and provide project oversight and expert supervision of project participants. Projects vary depending on the needs and time of year and may include activities such as beach clean-up and restoration, walkway and observation deck maintenance, sign painting, pony corral repairs, and work at the museum or historic sites. These projects are designed and chosen specifically to preserve barrier island habitats and enhance the experience of more than a million visitors who come every year. Each workday, we’ll have a different catered lunch on the project site. 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/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Day
2
Local History & Lore, Museum, Begin Projects
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Refuge Inn
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:
We will join our work crew and begin our service learning work project(s). We expect to wrap up around 4:00 p.m. and return to the motel by bus. Prior to dinner, you might like to enjoy the motel sauna, indoor pool, and hot tub after the day’s work. Remember to sign up for Tuesday’s work project.
Dinner:
At the Museum of Chincoteague Island, with a local expert who will discuss local history via cuisine.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Service Project Work
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Refuge Inn
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 have lunch on site.
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.
Day
4
Service Learning Project; Pirates, Shipwrecks & Treasures
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Refuge Inn
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 have lunch on site.
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:
In the restaurant or the hotel conference room after dinner, depending upon restaurant availability, we will enjoy pirate, shipwreck and buried treasure trivia. You are invited to join us as a pirate and bring your own grog!
Day
5
Service Learning Project Work, Musical Entertainment
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Refuge Inn
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:
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:
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 following a brief bus ride, 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
Assateague Lighthouse, Program Concludes
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B
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, we will take the bus to visit the Assateague Lighthouse. We will learn about the Assateague Village that was nearby until the early 1900s, the lighthouse keepers’ mansion, and some lighthouse history. We will also have the opportunity to climb to the observation deck, approximately 175 steps from the ground level. We’ll then take the bus back to the motel and say farewell. 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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