Join us for Student Field Programs out on islands, in canoes, alongside streams, and aboard boats. Participants conduct research and utilize their critical thinking skills to evaluate the health of ecological systems. They gain a unique perspective of watershed health by combining a variety of academic disciplines including science, history, English and writing, art, math, civics, economics, and community engagement. Review rates, maximum number of participants, and minimum grade levels for each of our programs below.
Application & Essential Information
- Field Program Trip Locator Map
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Information for Parents & Guardians
- Combined Health Form for One-Day and Multi-Day Programs: English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Contact us at fieldtrips@cbf.org or 1-800-445-5572
Apply for a Student Field Program
Multi-Day Programs
Located in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay, participants spend three days and two nights on-location at one of our residential environmental education centers—allowing for dynamic opportunities to study ecosystems, culture, fisheries, and economics in the largest estuary in the United States.
Application Opens: April for the following school year: fall & spring.
Deadline: May, Friday before Memorial Day.
Confirmation: July
Requests will be accepted on a rolling basis after the deadline.
| Program | Max Participants (students, teachers, & chaperones) |
Minimum Grade |
School Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Program (Dorchester County, MD) |
26 | 6th | $3,500 |
| Port Isobel East Environmental Education Program (Accomack County, VA) |
30 | 6th | $4,000* |
| Port Isobel West Environmental Education Program (Accomack County, VA) |
24 | 6th | $3,500* |
| Smith Island Environmental Education Program (Somerset, MD) |
30 | 6th | $4,000* |
*Ferry Information & Fees: For Port Isobel and Smith Island: program rates include the round-trip ferry from Crisfield, MD (Eastern Shore). The Smith Point ferry (Reedville, VA) is available between April 15 and October 15. The Onancock, VA ferry is available year round. The round-trip cost for both the Smith Point and Onancock ferries is an additional $400.
Please note: Multi-day program rates do not include food. You are responsible for bringing food for your group plus three CBF educators (sample menus available upon request).
One-Day Boat Programs
CBF's floating classrooms allow students to use scientific data collection and traditional watermen's techniques to discover the health of their local river.
Fall Season
Application Opens: April
Deadline: May, Friday before Memorial Day.
Confirmation: July
Spring Season
Application Opens: October
Deadline: November, Friday before Thanksgiving.
Confirmation: January
Requests will be accepted on a rolling basis after the deadline.
| Program | Max Participants (students, teachers, & chaperones) |
Minimum Grade |
School Rate |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | ||||
| Arthur Sherwood Environmental Education Program (Annapolis, MD) |
30 | 4th | $400 | |
| Baltimore Harbor Environmental Education Program (Baltimore, MD) |
28 | 4th | $400 | |
| Washington D. C. | ||||
| Potomac River Environmental Education Program (Washington, DC) |
30 | 4th | $500 | |
| Virginia | ||||
| Hampton Roads Environmental Education Program (Virginia Beach, VA) |
30 | 4th | $400 | |
| James River Environmental Education Program (Hopewell, VA) |
28 | 4th | $400 | |
One-Day Canoe & Streamside Programs
CBF's canoe and streamside programs provide participants a unique and exciting perspective to understand their connection to local waterways and wetlands.
Fall Season
Application Opens: April
Deadline: May, Friday before Memorial Day.
Confirmation: July
Spring Season
Application Opens: October
Deadline: November, Friday before Thanksgiving.
Confirmation: January
Requests will be accepted on a rolling basis after the deadline.
| Program | Max Participants (students, teachers, & chaperones) |
Minimum Grade |
School Rate |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | ||||
| Maryland Rivers & Streams (rivers of Maryland) |
26 canoes/ 30 stream-based |
6th (canoe)/ 4th (stream) |
$400 | |
| Philip Merrill Environmental Education Program (Annapolis, MD) |
30/60 | 4th | $400/$800** | |
| Pennsylvania | ||||
| Pennsylvania Rivers & Streams (rivers of Pennsylvania) |
26 canoes/ 30 stream-based |
6th (canoe)/ 4th (stream) |
$400 | |
| Virginia | ||||
| Virginia Rivers & Streams East (rivers of Virginia east of I-95) |
26 canoes/ 30 stream-based |
6th (canoe)/ 4th (stream) |
$400 | |
| Virginia Rivers & Streams West (rivers of Virginia west of I-95) |
26 canoes/ 30 stream-based |
6th (canoe)/ 4th (stream) |
$400 | |
**Philip Merrill Environmental Education Program may be booked for a single group (max 30) or double group (max 60).
State Funding Support
Contact the following organizations for information on state funding for school groups:
- Maryland: Chesapeake Bay Trust, 410-974-2941
- Virginia: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 717-772-1828.
For questions, see the FAQs or contact us at 800-445-5572 or fieldtrips@cbf.org.
