Blue Ridge to the Bay - Summer 2026
Open to any teacher in DC, MD, PA, VA.

This course, designed specifically for Virginia public school teachers in Region 5, will build a participant’s comfort and skill in utilizing nature as a context for learning in support of classroom curricula. Each day will provide opportunities for hands-on learning, interdisciplinary study, and collaboration across districts. The first two days will be spent comparing the Potomac and James River waterways at the northern and southernmost points of the region. Participants will then trace their waterways to the Bay to spend the final three days of the course on Smith Island in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay. This course will help educators understand the ecological, cultural, and historic ties between the Blue Ridge and the Bay and they will leave with practical classroom strategies and real-world examples that inspire learning and support career-connected learning in agriculture, environmental science, and sustainability.

• Length & Location: Five days of collaborative, outdoor learning. Monday-Tuesday in and around Rockingham and Campbell counties. Wednesday-Friday at CBF’s Smith Island Environmental Education Center for a residential experience. On Smith Island, we will prepare and clean up meals as a group; shared dorm-style housing, food, and cooking supplies are provided. Participants supply their own linens. The ferry will depart Wednesday and return Friday from a marina in Reedville, VA. Please note, teachers from outside the course location area are encouraged to register but are responsible for their own travel and accommodation Monday and Tuesday.
• Course Credit: Upon successful course completion, participants may be eligible for continuing education credit or contact hours. See details on the Professional Learning Credits page.
• Orientation Date: A virtual orientation took place Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. A link to the recording will be avialable in your confirmation email.
• Cost: $575.00
• Discounts: Public school teachers in VA Region 5 interested in this program, use promo code VAREGION5 to reduce the cost of this Chesapeake Classrooms course to $0.
• Scholarships: Teachers may apply for a full or partial scholarship using this form. If eligible, a promo code will be provided to reduce the cost of the course.
• Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made six weeks before the course's start date will receive a full refund minus a $75 processing fee. No refunds will be granted after June 8, 2026; however, we are happy to transfer registration to another course if space allows. All cancellation and transfer requests must be made in writing and sent to the Chesapeake Classrooms team.

Registration closes June 29, 2026.

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