Available Options:
Join us this summer for a new rendition of CBF’s Eco-Camp. Bay Eco-Camp: Girls in STEM is an exhilarating five-day environmental education summer program exploring the vibrant ecology of the Chesapeake Bay in one of its most pristine locations. Participants will journey by boat to Port Isobel, a remote island between the Tangier Sound and Chesapeake Bay, for a week of immersive, hands-on learning and scientific discovery. Your research vessel awaits!
Scientific Investigations: During Bay Eco-Camp: Girls in STEM, we will navigate the Bay’s diverse habitats, from brackish marshes to the open water, where we will conduct real-world scientific investigations. Participants will combine their findings to evaluate the complex dynamics of this critical estuary, gaining practical knowledge of ecosystem restoration and resilience.
- Data Collection: Participants will conduct rigorous field testing, measuring biotic (critters!) and abiotic (non-living variables like pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) indicators. Together, we will analyze the observed data to evaluate the overall health of the Bay, translating raw data into meaningful ecological conclusions.
- Hypothesis Testing: Participants will work in teams to synthesize data and compare their findings across different habitats to test hypotheses regarding Bay health. This comparative analysis will lead to the development of evidence-based recommendations for local conservation and restoration.
- Project Design: The five-day program culminates with project presentations where teams act as environmental consultants, presenting their findings and proposing restoration strategies. This structured application of the scientific method provides practical experience in environmental analysis, offering a glimpse at the skills and inspiration required for future green jobs and sustainable careers.
But the adventure doesn’t stop at science! We will also explore the unique intersection of nature, history, and culture with a visit to neighboring Tangier Island, a resilient 300-year-old fishing village. Participants will leave this experience with a deep understanding of the Chesapeake Bay’s current state, what contributes to its overall health, and the practical knowledge of how humans can protect and restore this national treasure.
Bay Eco-Camp: Girls in STEM is more than a camp. It is a launchpad for future environmental leaders! Open to girls ages 13-14 years old, this experience is the optimal precursor to CBF’s Student Leadership Program. Register today!
Location: Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Port Isobel Island Environmental Education Center, adjacent to the historic island community of Tangier, Virginia.
We will meet at the J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum located inside the marina parking area and depart as a group, via boat, to Port Isobel. We will not have any other means of transport to the education center, so we ask that participants strictly adhere to drop-off and pick-up times.
Dates: Monday, August 3, 2026–Friday, August 7, 2026
Drop-Off: Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, MD on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
Pick-Up: Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, MD on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 1, 2026
