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Virginia Field Trip Sites
for Marine and Aquatic Education

Virginia offers many excellent field experiences for learning about the Chesapeake Bay and the Commonwealth's water resources. The following brief listing contains only a few of many sites. Local and federal facilities, science centers, and environmental consultants all are possible sources for field trip programming. Check a directory for more information about field study opportunities both in and out of state. Costs and program options change frequently, so contact individual sites directly for information.

• Outdoor, onsite environmental education field trips to public and private school groups.  Topics from which teachers can choose include marine science, forestry, environmental issues, Antarctica’s climate secrets, and more!
  

  Jamestown 4-H Educational Center
  3751 4-H Club Road
  Williamsburg, VA 23185
  (757) 253-4931
  

• Canoe and workboat trips on Virginia's rivers and on the Bay (6th grade and higher).
  

  Chesapeake Bay Foundation
  1108 E. Main Street, Suite 1600
  Richmond, VA 23219
  (804) 780-1392
  

• Taskinas Creek within York River State Park offers sites for teacher-led trips, hosts Estuaries Day in the fall, and Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve field trips for teachers and older students.
  

  Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
  P. O. Box 1346
  Gloucester Point, VA 7526
  (804) 684-7144
  

• Exhibits featuring species indigenous to Virginia, plus planetarium ($3.50/child, $6.00/adult admission); 45 minute museum programs for K-5th graders ($5.50/student. Some area schools have contracts to waive student fee.); programs for children and families include nature study, science expeditions, activities and field trips (Fees vary; discounts, early notices of programs for members)
  

  Virginia Living Museum
  524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd.
  Newport News, VA 23601
  (757) 595-1900
  

• Fresh and salt water aquaria and hands-on exhibits (school group admission $6.95/child, $10.95/adult - museum only, $11.95/child, $15.95/adult - combination with IMAX)
  

  Virginia Marine Science Museum
  717 General Booth Blvd.
  Virginia Beach, VA 23451
  (757) 437-4949
  

• Children's educational programs available April through December ($1.00 per student). In the "Catch of the Day" program students will tong for oysters and explore the shellfish touchtank. For York River cruises leaving from the museum's dock, call Yorktown Cruises, Inc. (757) 229-6244.
  

  Watermen's Museum
  309 Water Street
  Yorktown, Va 23690
  (757) 887-2641
  

• Aquarium showing York River and Chesapeake Bay species and habitats; life size hanging models of aquatic animals; exhibits showing current research at VIMS (No charge). Field trip programs not available on site. Open-house takes place each Spring.
  

  Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
  P.O. Box 1346
  Gloucester Point,VA 23062
  (804) 684-7846
  

• Extensive, international collection of maritime artifacts, Chesapeake Bay Exhibition Wing, special Bay program includes an exploration of Hampton Roads Harbor (40 students min., 5th grade and up)
  

  Mariners Museum
  100 Museum Drive
  Newport News, VA 23606
  (757) 591-7744 for programs;
  (757) 591-7734 for tours
  

• Provides educational presentations/workshops to local schools, fieldtrips, marine summer camps, and special programs/projects.
  

  Department of Ocean Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  Old Dominion University
  Ocenography and Physics Building
  4600 Elkhorn Ave., Room 406
  Norfolk, VA 23529
  (757) 683-4280
  

• "Science Days" allow children to spend a day exploring science topics through hands-on activities.
  

  Science Museum of Virginia
  2500 West Broad Street
  Richmond, VA 23220-2054
  (804) 864-1400
  

• Aquaria and student programs including a Chesapeake Bay program.
  

  National Aquarium in Baltimore
  Education Department
  Pier 3, 501 Pratt Street
  Baltimore, MD 21202-3194
  (410) 576-3880 Call 11:00-4:00 weekdays (-7:00 Thurs.)
  

• Aquaria, exhibits, student and teacher programs, field trips, films, and more.
  

  North Carolina Aquarium Roanoke Island
  252-473-3493
  

• Natural history and environmental research exhibits (free admission); field trips conducted by staff .
  

  Virginia Museum of Natural History :
  1001 Douglas Ave.,
  Martinsville, VA 24112
  (276)-666-8600
  

  428 North Main St.
  Blacksburg, VA
  (540) 231-3001
  

  Clark Hall
  Charlottesville, VA
  (434) 982-4605
  

• See ships docked at the international pier; pet a shark; design a ship; have other interactive experiences; choice of class programs.
  

  Nauticus
  One Waterside Drive
  Norfolk, VA 23510
  (800) 664-1080 or (757) 664-1000
  

• Shenandoah National Park outdoor education programs - for teacher information and registration.
  

  Shenandoah National Park
  3655 US Hwy 211 East
  Luray, VA 22835
  (540) 999-3489
  

• Barrier island in Virginia and Maryland
  

  Assateague Island National Seashore
  (410) 641-1441
  

• Birding field trips in the Richmond area
  

  Richmond Audubon Society
  P.O. Box 804
  Richmond, VA 23207
  (540) 373-3448
  

• Wetlands, geology, native tribes, and wildlife.
  

  Friends of the Rappahannock
  P.O. Box 7254
  Fredericksburg, VA 22404
  (703) 373-3448
  

• Small group tours of state of the art waste water analysis laboratory for H.S.& up); waste water treatment, composting, etc. tours for 4th & up (No charge).
  

  Hampton Roads Sanitation District
  1440 Air Rail Avenue
  Virginia Beach, VA 23455
  (757) 460-2261