Sample Schedule |
Photos from Previous Years
Experience the coastal
environment from an all-new perspective as you begin to sea kayak while
viewing coastal flora and fauna. Learn to kayak through classroom and
field instruction and demonstrations, starting with the basics and
progressing through more advanced skills, all in a safe, picturesque
environment. Paddle with MSC ecologists/biologists through salt marsh
ecosystems, over eel grass beds and up the Pocomoke River and coastal
creeks of the Chesapeake and Chincoteague Bays. Using tandem kayaks,
each hosteler will enjoy exciting journeys through the diverse waters of
the Eastern Shore during both day and nighttime paddles while learning
new exciting facts from environmental experts. Join us for a water-based
journey of discovery.
This program is recommended for active hostelers in excellent health
with good swimming skills only.
Day 1
1:00 - 4:30 pm Check in with Elderhostel Coordinator
at the
Marine Science Consortium Cafeteria
5:15 -
6:30
pm Dinner
6:30
- 9:00 pm Welcome & group introductions
Information session and campus tour
Distribution of paddling gear and boat fittings
Day 2
7:30
- 8:30 am Breakfast
8:30 am Introduction video
9:00 am Walk to Kayak shed
Practice strokes
Prepare Box lunches
10:30 am Depart for Snow Hill, MD
/
Pocomoke
River State Park
Stretches & warm-up exercises
Practice strokes & basic skills
In-field lectures on cypress swamps & tidal influenced
freshwater wetlands
5:15 - 6:00 pm Dinner
6:30
- 9:00 pm Lecture on Barrier Islands: An
Ecological Overview
Tides: Forces and Frequencies
Day 3
7:30
- 8:30 am Breakfast
8:30 am Prepare for paddle at Kayak Shed
9:00am Depart for all day paddle in
Crisfield,
MD /
Janes
Island State Park
In-field lecture on salt marsh zonation, values &
protection
5:15 -
6:00 pm Dinner
***FREE EVENING ***
Day 4
7:30
- 8:30 am Breakfast
8:30 am Prepare for paddle at Kayak
Shed
9:00 am Depart for morning paddle through
Mosquito and
Cockle Creeks
12:00
- 1:00 pm Lunch
***FREE AFTERNOON***
5:15
- 6:00 pm Dinner
6:00 - 9:30 pm Sunset paddle in
Assateague Channel / Chincoteague, VA
Bioluminescence
Day 5
7:30
- 8:30 am Breakfast
8:30 am Prepare for paddle at Kayak Shed
9:00 am Depart Little Beach, Assateague Island
Paddle
5:15 - 6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm "A Taste of the Eastern
Shore"
(steamed blue crabs, shrimp and clams)
Graduation ceremony and social time
Day 6
7:30 -
8:30 am Breakfast
8:30 am Return equipment to Kayak Shed
Wallops Island Dune Fieldtrip
Field lecture on dune succession
12:00
- 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Check out
*
All trips and times are subject to change based on tides and weather.
**
FREE EVENING & AFTERNOON suggestions will be provided. Be advised that the
free times may change due to schedule changes.
