Join the Leesylvania State Park for the opportunity to spend a day aboard a historic Chesapeake Bay Buy Boat, Half Shell.
Throughout the day children and families will have the chance to participate in hands-on science activities, explore aquatic life, and learn the history of buy boats in the Chesapeake Bay.Thisisan amazing opportunity to discover Chesapeake Bay nature and Chesapeake Bay history!
While onboard children will have the opportunity to fish with a 16ft otter trawl net, try their hand at crabbing, and assist the Captain in steering the Half Shell. Other activities include:
- Catching plankton
- Learning about Benthic life (bottom dwellers)
- Discovering Navigation
- Boat building
- Clam dissection
- Fish identification
The Half Shell provides a unique hands-on, interdisciplinary environmental education program aboard a historic boat that challenges participants to explore and think about their local river. The program is designed to get children in nature and to “learn by doing” about the world around them. There are four educators for each session who work together to create a safe and secure learning environment while on the river.
This three hour program varies the time day to day depending on high tide. Please call the Visitor Center for times and availability for this Virginia outdoors adventure. The $30 enrollment covers the program fee.