Join us in the field this summer! These multi-day, in-person, overnight experiences are open to rising 9th-12th graders who are interested in joining fellow students in their mission to advance advocacy, take action, and raise awareness to help save the Bay.
2024 Student Leadership Summer Expeditions
Coming soon! Registration for Summer 2024 expeditions will begin in January. To get an idea of what to expect take a look at last year's programs below.
Important Information
Course Credit
Upon successful course completion, participants will earn at least 10 service-learning hours.
Orientation
Attendance at a virtual orientation is required. The 2024 orientation date will be announced with the expedition schedule & registration in January.
Course Cost
Generous support from CBF donors and grants allow us to offer our weeklong expeditions for $500. The actual cost to run these courses is more than $2000 per participant. Some financial aid is available, please complete the financial assistance request form to request partial or full financial aid.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made before June 1 will receive a full refund minus a $75 processing fee. No refunds will be granted after June 1; however, we are happy to transfer registration to another expedition, based on availability. All cancellation requests must be made in writing. Email the Chesapeake Classrooms team to request a cancellation or transfer.
2023 Expedition List
Expeditions primarily take place outdoors where participants explore different parts of the watershed and engage with CBF staff, field experts, and scientists. All transportation, lodging, and meals are provided during the expeditions. Participants are expected to participate in meal preparation. Overnight accommodations may include camping (tents provided), dorm-style housing, or a combination of the two.
Monday, June 26–Friday, June 30
Mighty Susquehanna: The Keystone to Saving the Bay
Open to all rising 9th-12th graders in DC, MD, VA, PA.
Join fellow high school students from across Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and find inspiration as we explore environmental issues impacting the Susquehanna River watershed! The Susquehanna River is the largest freshwater tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, and the health of this waterway has a tremendous impact on the health of the Bay. We will travel to unique places and have real-world experiences, all while exploring the rivers, streams, and woodlands of central Pennsylvania. This one-of-a-kind expedition will equip students to become the next generation of environmental leaders, developing skills to advance advocacy, raise awareness, and take action to address problems in their communities. Students will acquire new skills, a deeper knowledge, and an appreciation for saving the Bay and its tributaries.
Length & Location: This is a multi-day, overnight (tent camping), in-person event. Registered participants will meet CBF educators in Harrisburg, PA or in Greenbelt, MD and spend five consecutive days exploring and investigating the Susquehanna watershed in Pennsylvania.
Registration Deadline: June 9, 2023
Register Now
Monday, July 10–Friday, July 14
Chesapeake Bay Watershed 101
Open to rising 9th-10th graders in DC, MD, VA, PA.
To solve a problem, you must first identify it. If CBF is working to save the Bay, what are we trying to save the Bay from? Join us on this introductory course and discover the answer by exploring some of the wonders and complex systems of the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed. This course is designed for emerging student leaders and will provide hands-on experiences investigating unique ecosystems and exploring the major issues facing our watershed. Participants will paddle, wade, discuss, experiment, listen, share, and connect about all things Chesapeake Bay watershed with their peer group, CBF staff, and field experts. Throughout the course, participants will build their Bay-saving leadership skills to become stronger Bay advocates and environmental problem solvers.
Length & Location: This is a multi-day, overnight (tent camping and dorm-style housing), in-person event. Registered participants will meet CBF educators regionally (MD, VA, PA) and spend five consecutive days exploring and investigating the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Registration Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Participation will be determined on a first come, first served basis.)
Register Now
Monday, July 17–Friday, July 21
Delmarva Discovery
Open to rising 9th-12th graders in DC, MD, VA, PA.
Join fellow student leaders to connect, learn, and find inspiration as we explore environmental issues on the Bay's Eastern Shore. We'll travel to unique places and discover the magic of the Bay in its brackish waters, marshy grasses, and the historic communities along its shores. This one-of-a-kind expedition will equip students to become the next generation of environmental leaders, whether they are just beginning their leadership journey or building upon past experience. Student leaders will acquire new skills and develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation for saving the Bay and its tributaries.
Length & Location: This is a multi-day, overnight (tent camping and dorm-style housing), in-person event. Registered participants will meet CBF educators in a centralized location in Maryland and spend five consecutive days exploring and investigating the Bay's Eastern Shore.
Registration Deadline: May 31, 2023
Register Now
Monday, July 24–Friday, July 28
Tracing Tributaries – The Rappahannock
Open to rising 9th-12th graders in DC, MD, VA, PA.
Beginning at the Blue Ridge Mountains, the mighty Rappahannock River slices across the Commonwealth of Virginia as it makes its way to the Chesapeake Bay. How do the different areas that the river runs through affect the river's health? How does the health of a tributary impact the Bay? Join CBF Student Leadership to investigate these questions by tracing the Rappahannock River watershed. Through this expedition, students will gain a greater understanding of how the land and water are connected and ways they can advocate, raise awareness, and take action for clean water. Participants will paddle the river and local streams, visit unique cultural and historical landmarks like Fones Cliffs, hike near the headwaters in Chester Gap, and explore water quality improvement projects in Fredericksburg.
Length & Location: This is a multi-day, overnight (tent camping), in-person event. Registered participants will meet CBF educators in a centralized location in Virginia and spend five consecutive days exploring and investigating the Rappahannock River watershed.
Registration Deadline: May 24, 2023 (Participation will be determined on a first come, first served basis.)
Register Now
Monday, July 31–Friday, August 4
Crafting Your Voice: Advocacy & Leadership for the Watershed
Open to rising 11th & 12th graders or experienced CBF Student Leaders in DC, MD, VA, PA.
Join students from across the Chesapeake Bay watershed in our nation's capital and discover the impact federal legislation has on supporting state goals outlined in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. We'll learn how advocacy at the federal level impacts both urban and rural communities, as well as the vital role that collective student voice can have in making change. This one-of-a-kind expedition will equip students to become the next generation of environmental leaders and advocates, ready to address problems in their communities and support on-going work at the federal level. Students will acquire new skills, a deeper knowledge, and appreciation for saving the Bay and its tributaries.
Length & Location: This is a multi-day, overnight (tent camping and dormitory-style housing), in-person event. Registered participants will meet CBF educators regionally (MD, VA, PA) and spend five consecutive days exploring and investigating the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Registration Deadline: May 31, 2023
Register Now
Program Staffing and CBF Educators
There will be at least two CBF educators staffing each summer expedition. Other CBF staff and educators may join the group as captains, hosts at island education centers, or as resources for learning.
CBF educators receive the following certifications:
- Wilderness First Responder
- CPR
- American Canoe Association River Canoe Day Trip Leading
- Boater Safety
Our educators serve as facilitators. They establish a clear learning pathway for the student experience, guiding students' journey while allowing ample freedom and choice for them to explore and investigate environmental issues that reflect their interest. We believe that allowing students to follow their passion is the best way for them to discover their own leadership capacity. Our professional educators ensure a safe and positive learning environment while respecting students as individuals. Within each group, we seek to cultivate a culture of empowerment, encouraging curiosity and mutual respect.
