GENERAL INFORMATIONHow to Book a Trip1. Call us. Identify which dates are available for your trip and call (757) 824-5636, ext.109. It is helpful if you have two to three “ideal” dates in mind so that we can get you on the calendar.
2. Reservation Form. Once your dates have been booked, we will contact you with information regarding your online reservation form. Once you have completed your online reservation form, we will send you an invoice for your 10% reservation deposit. 3. Confirmation Packet. Upon receiving your reservation form and deposit, we will email you a confirmation packet confirming your program reservation with us. If there are ANY changes or additions to your program once you receive this confirmation, please notify us immediately. 4. Communication. Our goal is to provide an unforgettable education experience! We strive to provide a program designed specifically to suit your group’s needs. Regular communication with the Field Station regarding your program is advised so that we can best meet your needs and assist you through the planning process. 5. Finances. Raising money for your trip can be challenging, but it can also be a valuable learning experience for your students! We are happy to help you with fundraising ideas. 10% of the cost of your program is due thirty days after completing your booking. 50% of your program balance is due 30 days prior to your scheduled dates. Two weeks prior to your scheduled dates, you will need to send your final payment. Click here to learn more about funding opportunities. 6. Forms. Three weeks before your scheduled program, please send the final number of participants. You will be financially accountable for this number of participants. Having accurate participant numbers allows us to schedule groups efficiently, which means that more students can have an experience at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station. Please call the office at (757) 824-5636, ext.109 or email us with questions. We are here to help you! |
Quick Links**All costs are subject to change based on the approval of our Board of Directors**
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
School Programs & Summer Camp Department [email protected] (757) 824-5636 x 109 |
Typical Schedule
School programs can be scheduled to start on any day of the week. You can choose to stay for as short as a half-day or as long as four nights. The length of your stay will determine the number of classes and field experiences you are able to choose which make your trip to the Field Station an unforgettable experience!
*All schedules below are samples. Boat trips are subject to change based on the availability of the boat.*
*All schedules below are samples. Boat trips are subject to change based on the availability of the boat.*
Classes
CBFS offers a wide variety of coastal ecology, marine science, and outdoor activity classes for you to choose from to create a unique experience for your students. Click here to see a current list of classes.
Fees
Teaching groups can have a maximum of 20 students and 3 chaperones. We welcome multiple teaching groups from schools. At least one chaperone is required for every 12 students. There will be one Field Station educator for each group of 23 participants.
The student fee covers room and board, administration charges, all instruction, one research cruise, and use of all Field Station facilities during the program. All meals are served in our cafeteria. The only thing the fee does not include is transportation. If you need Field Station transportation while you are here, there will be an additional vehicle rental fee. See the transportation section below for more information.
Click here to download the 2025 School Program Fees.
The student fee covers room and board, administration charges, all instruction, one research cruise, and use of all Field Station facilities during the program. All meals are served in our cafeteria. The only thing the fee does not include is transportation. If you need Field Station transportation while you are here, there will be an additional vehicle rental fee. See the transportation section below for more information.
Click here to download the 2025 School Program Fees.
Staff
Each year, some of the brightest young minds join the staff team at Chincoteague Bay Field Station. They share their enthusiasm, knowledge and love for science with students from diverse backgrounds. Our program staff are trained and experienced in marine and environmental sciences. All educators possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences or a related field, and many have several years teaching experience. All staff are certified in First Aid and CPR through the American Red Cross.
Safety
We maintain a low staff to student ratio and all of our staff are certified in First Aid and CPR and trained to handle emergency situations. We are prepared to care for your students and provide a safe and secure environment.
Facilities
Our campus is comprised of multiple dormitories, classrooms/labs, a cafeteria, and plenty of open space! Visit our Campus page for a complete listing of our amenities.
School students typically stay in our dormitory that was completed in 2010. Rooms are arranged in a suite style set up. Each of the three student rooms accommodates four students, plus an additional two in the chaperone room for a total of (up to) 14 people per suite. There are 4 sinks, 4 showers, and 4 toilets in each suite. The dorm also has a large common room, coin operated laundry, and is centrally heated and air-conditioned.
All dorms are completely furnished, but do not come with linens. Please make sure everyone packs a pillow and either a sleeping bag or sheets and blankets for their bed. They will also need towels, wash clothes, hand towels, and all toiletries.
School students typically stay in our dormitory that was completed in 2010. Rooms are arranged in a suite style set up. Each of the three student rooms accommodates four students, plus an additional two in the chaperone room for a total of (up to) 14 people per suite. There are 4 sinks, 4 showers, and 4 toilets in each suite. The dorm also has a large common room, coin operated laundry, and is centrally heated and air-conditioned.
All dorms are completely furnished, but do not come with linens. Please make sure everyone packs a pillow and either a sleeping bag or sheets and blankets for their bed. They will also need towels, wash clothes, hand towels, and all toiletries.
Meals
We have a large cafeteria on that serves excellent buffet style meals. There is always a variety of hot food available, as well as a salad bar and cold items. If your students have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible. We will do our best to accommodate allergies and restrictions. There will always be vegetarian options available. Please note that our campus is NOT a peanut-free facility. We will accommodate a nut allergy as best we can, but can not guarantee a nut-free environment.
For more information, check out our FAQ page.
For more information, check out our FAQ page.
Transportation
While you are at CBFS, you will need transportation to and from field sites for you and your students as most of the classes we offer involve a field portion. You can either use your own vehicles for this or rent our vehicles. Many charter bus rental companies will drop-off and pick-up groups but will not stay during your trip. If that is the case, you must rent our vehicles to get to the field sites for classes. We have both 15-passenger vans and school buses; group size will determine which type of vehicle you will need to rent. Please let us know if you need to rent one of our vehicles so we can plan accordingly and include the price on your invoice.
If you choose to provide your own transportation, please ensure that there will be room in your vehicles for the CBFS staff leading your program as well as the equipment needed for classes. An additional fee will apply if CBFS staff have to drive separately to field sites. If needed, we do have the option to rent a room for your bus drivers. They will have a separate dorm to themselves in Red Knot Residence Hall, and this package will also include meals in our cafeteria. If your bus drivers are staying on campus, please make sure they know that they will need to bring their own toiletries and linens.
If you choose to provide your own transportation, please ensure that there will be room in your vehicles for the CBFS staff leading your program as well as the equipment needed for classes. An additional fee will apply if CBFS staff have to drive separately to field sites. If needed, we do have the option to rent a room for your bus drivers. They will have a separate dorm to themselves in Red Knot Residence Hall, and this package will also include meals in our cafeteria. If your bus drivers are staying on campus, please make sure they know that they will need to bring their own toiletries and linens.
TESTIMONIALS
"CBFS allows students to get out into unique, mostly untouched ecosystems. Much better than learning in the classrooms at school!"
-High School Teacher 2024
"I learned about a month’s worth of science classes in two days."
- Middle School Student
"Amazing! Provides authentic research experience for the students."
-Middle School Teacher 2024
"Thank you for taking us around Wallops Island and showing us the beauty under the mud!"
-Middle School Student
-High School Teacher 2024
"I learned about a month’s worth of science classes in two days."
- Middle School Student
"Amazing! Provides authentic research experience for the students."
-Middle School Teacher 2024
"Thank you for taking us around Wallops Island and showing us the beauty under the mud!"
-Middle School Student
