Virginia
Chincoteague Service Learning: Preserving Barrier Island Environments
Program No. 2637RJ
Help preserve and maintain the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge — home to the wild Chincoteague ponies — as you learn about the island’s unique music, culture and lore.
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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
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6 days
5 nights
14 meals
5B 4L 5D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Chincoteague , Va.
2
Local History & Lore, Museum, Begin Projects
Chincoteague , Va.
3
Service Project Work; Pirates, Shipwrecks & Treasure
Chincoteague , Va.
4
Service Learning Project; Pirates, Shipwrecks & Treasures
Chincoteague , Va.
5
Service Learning Project Work, Musical Entertainment
Chincoteague , Va.
6
Program Concludes, When Assateague was Home video
Chincoteague , Va.
At a Glance
Spend a week on the beautiful barrier islands of Chincoteague and Assateague working at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and with the Museum of Chincoteague Island, Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, or Beebe Ranch to help conserve the islands’ wildlife habitats, medical facilities, history and culture. Under the supervision of experts, assist with a variety of projects ranging from repairing and clearing woodland trails and walkways, to cleaning up undeveloped beaches, preserving historic sites, or working among the Museum’s collection of artifacts and records. You will have opportunities to observe barrier island waterfowl and other wildlife up close, including the herds of wild Chincoteague ponies. Discover the unique culture of this treasured natural barrier island paradise with local experts.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to one half mile at a time over level ground. Some groups may walk up to a mile at a time through sand or marsh terrain. Projects may involve physical labor. Transportation will be via school bus, boat, golf cart, car or pickup truck.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Work outdoors on the Refuge among the wild ponies and waterfowl, at pony care properties, the Beebe Ranch, island historic sites, or at the Museum of Chincoteague Island, helping to manage its expanding collection of local artifacts.
- Walk along our pristine beaches helping to clean up cast-off fishing nets and debris deposited by ocean storms, learn or refresh your carpentry skills while building or repairing walkways and structures throughout the refuge, or participate in one of many other projects to help preserve the island and care for the wild ponies.
- Enjoy an evening of entertainment by local musicians featuring sea shanties and local lore.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Cindy Faith
Cindy Faith has been a Group Leader and lecturer at the Museum of Chincoteague Island’s Road Scholar programs for many years. Raised on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, her knowledge of the region’s natural and local history is encyclopedic. Her expertise runs the gamut from horseshoe crabs and wild ponies to pirates and the Civil War’s impact on the Chincoteague region. Combined with her warm sense of humor, Cindy’s vast knowledge assures Road Scholar participants of an informative and interesting experience.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Cindy Faith
View biography
Cindy Faith has been a Group Leader and lecturer at the Museum of Chincoteague Island’s Road Scholar programs for many years. Raised on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, her knowledge of the region’s natural and local history is encyclopedic. Her expertise runs the gamut from horseshoe crabs and wild ponies to pirates and the Civil War’s impact on the Chincoteague region. Combined with her warm sense of humor, Cindy’s vast knowledge assures Road Scholar participants of an informative and interesting experience.
Beth Scheeley
View biography
Beth Scheeley was born and raised on Chincoteague Island. She has many family ties to the island, which makes her a true "teaguer." Beth has an extensive knowledge for Chincoteague's history. Her childhood memories of Chincoteague's past looks, restaurants and people will call for endless conversations and stories during your time with her. Her go-getter personality and friendliness will surely make you feel right at home on Chincoteague Island.
Darcy Cole
View biography
Darcy has lived on the island for over 15 years. In her early encounters with the wild horses of Assateague, she became fascinated with the idea that each horse had a name and a personality. In those 15 years, she has become a regional expert on the horses, publishing books on the horses and conducting workshops and talks related to the horses. In addition to her many lectures at the Museum of Chincoteague, Darcy serves as a Team Leader on the two annual Service Projects.
Suggested Reading List
(6 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Chincoteague Service Learning: Preserving Barrier Island Environments
Program Number: 2637
Slave and Free on Virginia's Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore of Virginia has been home to English-Speaking people for almost four hundred years, and for more than half that time it was legal for some of its residents to own other residents who live on the peninsula with them, to buy and sell, use and abuse them for their own purposes and profit. What was it like to live in that day when human bondage was accepted, its mindset and practices firmly embedded in the everyday affairs of ordinary people? Solidly researched, Slave and Free is a good place to begin the study that no one wants to talk about. It will be found accessible and readable by both the scholar and the general reader; as well as by all who know and love Virginia's Eastern Shore. Available in the Museum gift shop in person or online at www.chincoteaguemuseum.com
Misty of Chincoteague
A Newberry Honor book, for children 8 - 12 years old. This is the story of Paul and Maureen Beebe and their quest to buy the elusive Phantom, a wild Chincoteague pony. On Pony Penning Day, they not only bring in the Phantom, but also her colt, Misty. It is a wonderful heart-warming tale of the efforts of two children to achieve their dream. Available at the Museum of Chincoteague Island and on our website. Chincoteaguemuseum.com
Stormy, Misty's Foal
This sequel to "Misty" describes the events on Chincoteague during the Ash Wednesday storm in 1962. Misty is about to give birth and the book details the actions the Beebe's take to ensure a safe birth. It also covers the role Misty and her foal play in raising donations to restore the island after the storm. Available at the Museum of Chincoteague Island and on our website. Chincoteaguemuseum.com
Chincoteague and Assateague Islands (MD and VA) (images of America)
This book provides a short pictorial and narrative description of these two barrier islands, their history and relationship. One is a small town community catering to thousands of tourists who come almost year-round to enjoy the beach and view the wildlife on the other. Available at the Museum of Chincoteague Island and on our website. Chincoteaguemuseum.com
Watermen and Wild Ponies, A Chincoteague Waterman Remembers Life on Chincoteague and Assateague
An informative and touching chronicle of the life-long friendship of two business partners who catch and sell fish, oysters and clams for over 30 years until the early 1960's. It reflects the flavor of living and making a livelihood on Chincoteague and the early settlement of Assateague. Available at the Museum of Chincoteague Island and on our website. Chincoteaguemuseum.com
Once Upon an Island: The History of Chincoteague
Settled for more than 300 years, surrounded by waters which have for centuries provided both livelihood and recreation, known for ponies and wildfowl, seafood and seashore, "old salts" and decoys. Chincoteague Island, Virginia is both colorful and storied. And never until now has its complete history been told.
This book chronicles the often surprising story of a place named for Native Americans who never really lived there, settled not by fishermen but by cattlemen, so individual that it refused to follow the rest of the state into the Confederacy during the Civil War. Here is a full account of how the famous pony penning came to be, of the boom and bust of the seafood industry, and of a hardy people who survived fire, flood and isolation to build a community that has now been visited by millions. It is the story not of one island but of several - Chincoteague, Assateague, Wallops, and of their interplay with both the nearby Eastern Shore and with more distant places familiar to islander who "went to sea" at an early age.
Once Upon an Island is both good, sound history and a "fun read" for anyone who is fascinated by colorful, celebrated Chincoteague Island. Available in the Museum gift shop in person or online at www.chincoteaguemuseum.com
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Chincoteague , Va.
Program Concludes
Chincoteague , Va.
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
14
| 5B |
4L |
5D |
Activity Level
Spend a week on the beautiful barrier islands of Chincoteague and Assateague working at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and with the Museum of Chincoteague Island, Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, or Beebe Ranch to help conserve the islands’ wildlife habitats, medical facilities, history and culture. Under the supervision of experts, assist with a variety of projects ranging from repairing and clearing woodland trails and walkways, to cleaning up undeveloped beaches, preserving historic sites, or working among the Museum’s collection of artifacts and records. You will have opportunities to observe barrier island waterfowl and other wildlife up close, including the herds of wild Chincoteague ponies. Discover the unique culture of this treasured natural barrier island paradise with local experts.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Work outdoors on the Refuge among the wild ponies and waterfowl, at pony care properties, the Beebe Ranch, island historic sites, or at the Museum of Chincoteague Island, helping to manage its expanding collection of local artifacts.
- Walk along our pristine beaches helping to clean up cast-off fishing nets and debris deposited by ocean storms, learn or refresh your carpentry skills while building or repairing walkways and structures throughout the refuge, or participate in one of many other projects to help preserve the island and care for the wild ponies.
- Enjoy an evening of entertainment by local musicians featuring sea shanties and local lore.
Featured Expert
Cindy Faith
Cindy Faith has been a Group Leader and lecturer at the Museum of Chincoteague Island’s Road Scholar programs for many years. Raised on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, her knowledge of the region’s natural and local history is encyclopedic. Her expertise runs the gamut from horseshoe crabs and wild ponies to pirates and the Civil War’s impact on the Chincoteague region. Combined with her warm sense of humor, Cindy’s vast knowledge assures Road Scholar participants of an informative and interesting experience.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to one half mile at a time over level ground. Some groups may walk up to a mile at a time through sand or marsh terrain. Projects may involve physical labor. Transportation will be via school bus, boat, golf cart, car or pickup truck.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(6 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
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
14 meals | 5B | 4L | 5D |
1 expert-led lecture
2 expert-led field trips
7 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
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
D
Stay:
Refuge Inn
Activity Note
Motel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-4:45 p.m. In the motel’s conference room, register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
Catered 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 on a bus tour 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.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will join our work crew and begin our service learning work project(s). Expect to wrap up around 3:00 p.m. and return to the motel by bus. The remainder of the afternoon is free. 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:
A catered 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; Pirates, Shipwrecks & Treasure
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 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). Expect to wrap up around 3:00 p.m., then return to the motel. The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
Catered in the hotel conference room.
Evening:
In the hotel conference room, we will enjoy a lecture on Pirates, Shipwrecks and Buried Treasures. You are invited to join us as a pirate and bring your own grog!
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 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). Expect to wrap up around 3:00 p.m., then return to the motel. The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. This meal is optional. If you would prefer a dinner of your choosing, this is a good night to do that.
Evening:
At leisure
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.
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:
We will continue our service learning work project(s). Expect to wrap up around 3:00 p.m., then return to the motel. The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
In a local restaurant
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, When Assateague was Home video
Location:
Chincoteague , Va.
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Motel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the motel.
Morning:
In the motel conference room, we will enjoy a viewing of When Assateague Was Home, a documentary video discussing the village that was on Assateague Island from the 1800s to the early 1900s.
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MEALS
14 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 26, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025
- Mar 23, 2025 - Mar 28, 2025
- Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 11, 2025
- Oct 26, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 8 Reviews
Sort By:
Fun and beautiful place. Really enjoyed the warmer weather and the beach.
— Review left May 11, 2024
I have to say, my first trip was SO wonderful, Yosemite, that I was afraid the next just couldn't be as amazing. I found that this one was just as great. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Staff and participants. I have my third trip reserved and I am certain that it will be just as perfect!!
— Review left November 20, 2023
The instructors and leaders of the Chincoteague Service Learning Program made this experience seamless because of how connected they are; their bond made it a really fun experience. Thank you for your generosity + sharing your passions + knowledge!
— Review left November 17, 2023
Ponies, pirates, and sweet potato biscuits! I cannot speak highly enough of the Road Scholar team who worked together to make this trip to Chincoteague so much fun, so educational, and so rewarding--from coordinators to trip leaders to guest lecturers and performers. This is a service learning program, so we participated in a variety of volunteer activities helping to preserve the community's heritage, culture, and environment--all things that made us feel like we were making a difference! Along the way, we also had loads of fun as we worked shoulder to shoulder with local volunteers. We were treated to delicious seafood from local eateries, such as crab cakes, oyster pot pie, and shrimp. We had a tapas and wine pairing event; a pirate party; a live concert with a local band; lectures on culture and natural history; and were privileged to get an inside look at wild pony lore--including in-depth introductions to the origin story of "Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry and the fascinating artifacts preserved at the Museum of Chincoteague Island! We explored the island's pristine beaches, historic Assateague LIght House, and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The hospitality and warmth of the people we met made this a wonderful learning adventure!
— Review left October 29, 2023
Visiting Chincoteague and Assateague Islands was a wonderful experience. We learned lots about the ponies and hopefully our group left things in a little better shape than when we arrived.
— Review left May 6, 2023
I enjoyed this trip tremendously. All leaders were excellent, the projects interesting and the participants very friendly. Chincoteague is an absolutely lovely place. The reserve had so many interesting creatures, many very small specially the turtles and toads. We observed ponies and a variety of birds.
Since I live in Virginia, I plan to go back more often.
— Review left April 24, 2019
What a wonderful trip to Chincoteague and Assoteague Islands!Having three projects to rotate through each day gave me a wonderful mix of projects to work on. Our leaders, locals or people who were drawn to move there, provided a rich source of information and history for our experience. I can't say enough about staying at the Refuge in, the make-up of the group and the wonderful experiences throughout the week.
— Review left April 9, 2019
This was my first Road Scholar experience and I would highly recommend it to others.
— Review left April 7, 2019
