Sail Away, Sleep Away

We’ll be exploring both on the water and on the land, and be on the lookout for all the critters who call each area home. While on board, you’ll learn about sailing and engage in hands-on marine science with our friends at the Living Classroom Foundation. Activities will include water quality testing, plankton trawling with microscope exploration, trawl fishing for marine life, oyster dissection, bird morphology and identification, setting sail, and steering the ship. Once at camp, we’ll turn to the woods for our inspiration. We can wander the trails, listen for birds, and enjoy a campfire with yummy s’mores. Plus, there’s a whole nighttime of nocturnal pursuits to explore, from owls, moths, and spiders to zombie fungi.

All meals and snacks will be provided and prepared for us, and most dietary needs can be met. Meals include two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast. A sample menu would include bagels for breakfast, sandwiches and wraps for lunch, and tacos or burritos for dinner. Meat, gluten, and lactose-free alternatives will be available. Snack items could include fruit, granola bars, Goldfish, and pretzels. We’ll sleep in rooms with bunk beds in the Big House. You’ll need to bring your own bedding and towels. No one will need to sleep in an upper bunk unless you are embracing your inner child. Last year, some preferred to sleep on mattresses on the floor in the big main area rather than use the bunk beds—your choice.

Our transportation and accommodations: The Lady Maryland is a replica of a pungy schooner, originally built in Maryland and Virginia in the late 1800s. Pungies were uniquely adapted to carry perishable cargo on the Chesapeake Bay, with a hull shape similar to that of the famous Baltimore Clippers, which made them extremely fast. She is the only schooner of her kind in existence today. Camp Whippoorwill features 19 acres of woodland along the Magothy River and is operated by the Girl Scouts of America. The property includes a waterfront beach, recreational pier, and several buildings, including a main lodge and the Big House, where we will be sleeping. More information on the camp may be found here: https://www.gscm.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/camp-and-outdoors/camp-whippoorwill.html. There is one modern restroom for about every six people in the Big House.

Due to the nature of this trip, refunds will be available minus a 5% processing fee through Aug 19. After that date, refunds will not be available.

• Our meeting location will be included in your registration confirmation email once payment is complete.
• Watch for additional details in a welcome email about a week before the date.
• Closed-toe shoes are required on board the boat.
• Dress according to the weather. Layers of clothing work best. Include a hat for sun protection or warmth, depending on the season.
• Bring water, snacks, sunblock, bug spray, and a camera with accessories.
• Bring your moth setup if you’d like.
• If you would like to supplement our menu with your own specialty items, a refrigerator will be available at camp. You may bring a small ice chest on the boat.
• Bring binoculars and a hand lens or loupe for birding or looking at details, if you have them.
• Bring a first aid kit for your personal use.
• All events are held rain or shine. If any event is canceled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.