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 the science, history, English and writing, art, math, civics, economics, and community engagement.
Application & Essential Information
- Request a Student Field Program
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Information for Parents & Guardians
- Resources
- Contact us at [email protected] or 1-800-445-5572
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 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.
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).
| Program | Max Participants (students, teachers, & chaperones) |
Minimum Grade |
School Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Program (Dorchester County, MD) |
22 | 6th | $3,000 |
| Port Isobel East Environmental Education Program (Accomack County, VA) |
30 | 6th | $4,000* |
| Port Isobel West Environmental Education Program (Accomack County, VA) |
22 | 6th | $3,000* |
| Smith Island Environmental Education Program (Somerset, MD) |
30 | 6th | $4,000* |
*Ferry Information & Fees: For Port Isobel and Smith Island: program rates include lodging and 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.
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 Applications
Application Opens: April
Deadline: May, Friday before Memorial Day.
Confirmation: July
Spring Applications
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 | $400 | |
| Virginia | ||||
| Hampton Roads Environmental Education Program (Virginia Beach, VA) |
30 | 4th | $400 | |
| James River Environmental Education Program (Hopewell, VA) |
28 | 4th | $400 | |
Canoe & Streamside Programs
CBF's canoe and streamside programs provide participants a unique and exciting perspective to gain a deeper understanding of their connection to local waterways and wetlands.
Fall Applications
Application Opens: April
Deadline: May, Friday before Memorial Day.
Confirmation: July
Spring Applications
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 | 6th | $400 | |
| Virginia Rivers & Streams West (rivers of Virginia west of I-95) |
26 | 6th | $400 | |
**Philip Merrill Environmental Education Program may be booked for a single group (max 30) or double group (max 60).
State Funding Support
For information on state funding for school groups, visit the following links:
- Maryland Schools: Chesapeake Bay Trust or call 410-974-2941.
- Virginia Schools: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
- Pennsylvania Schools: Pennsylvania Department of Education's Meaningful Watershed Mini-Grant Program: (Keyword: EE Grants) or call 717-772-1828.
For questions, see the FAQs or contact us at 800-445-5572 or [email protected].
