We’re excited to announce that we WILL have the VSO trip to Chincoteague September 10-12, 2021. VSO is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all participants. By registering for this event, you agree to abide by the policy VSO has adopted for attendees: Participants at all VSO meetings, field trips, and properties, shall follow all CDC and federal, state and local guidelines regarding Covid-19. Additionally, participants shall respect the Covid-19 requirements of businesses where VSO activities take place.
We’ll provide instructions later about other precautions that may need to be in place, based on guidelines in place closer to the date.
Trip Registration
To help us plan for the weekend, please register in advance. Provide the names of participants in your party with your mobile number and email address so we can contact you if needed. Register with Meredith Bell, trip coordinator, at merandlee@gmail.com or 804-824-4958, and be sure to state if you want to register for the Saturday morning boat trip (details below).
Headquarters
The Refuge Inn on Beach Road in Chincoteague will be the host hotel (800-544-8469 or 757-336-5511). Currently, masks are required when you are in the hotel. Room rates for Friday and Saturday nights are $114.75 (plus tax) per night for a single or a double room, minimum two-night stay. For those arriving a day early or staying an extra day, the rate for Thursday and Sunday nights will be $102.00. The Refuge Inn is non-smoking and no pets are allowed. Check-in time is 4:00pm, and check-out time is 11:00am. To assure the VSO rate, make reservations by August 12 and state you are with the VSO when you call.
NOTE: There is a one-week cancellation notice if you decide to cancel your reservation.
Meals
The Refuge Inn offers a complimentary continental breakfast for guests. Right now the breakfast area is closed, and they provide a bagged breakfast for each guest. We’ll update you closer to the date if there’s a change in this arrangement. All meals are on your own. Many eating establishments in Chincoteague offer take-out or outdoor dining if restrictions around indoor dining are in place.
Weedkend Overview
Due to the small size of the Refuge Inn conference room, we will not have a Friday night orientation. Instead, we’ll hold a Zoom call early in the week of the trip, to overview the weekend and have a special presentation by Jerry Via. We’ll record the call and send the link afterwards for those who can’t attend the live call.
Boat Trip: Saturday, September 11th – ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
There will be a special birding by boat trip Saturday at 8:30am (2 hours) with a local boat captain and his crew. You have a chance to check out the marshes and tidal flats up-close during the outgoing tide for interesting water birds and raptors. The fee per person is $33. Details about how/where to pay will be provided later. Bring additional cash for tip (to crew) on the boat. Departure is from the Curtis Merritt Marina at the Sound end of Chincoteague Island, 2246 Curtis Merritt Lane. Be there at 8:15am, 15 minutes before departure. Since the boat holds 100, and we’ve never exceeded 60 attendees, we don’t anticipate the need to limit participants. At this time, masks are required for entry onto and departure from the boat.
Other Field Trips
At time of this announcement, the bus trips to Wash Flats are suspended. If the Refuge starts offering them again before September, Meredith will notify all trip registrants. Other field trips for the weekend will be finalized and announced as we receive information about openings on the Refuge. Currently both Visitor Centers and all restrooms are closed, and beach parking is limited. The Wildlife Loop and the Island Nature Trail in Chincoteague are open and will be part of our itinerary.
Saturday Evening
Weather permitting, we may have a tally of the day's species outdoors at 6:00pm, around the picnic tables on the pool-side of the Refuge Inn. You can bring a chair if you prefer to sit rather than stand.
Other Lodging in the Area
If you are unable to get a room at the Refuge Motor Inn, you may want to try these motels close by: Best Western (757-336-6557), Days Inn by Wyndham (757-336-1900) and Comfort Suites (757-336-3700).
For additional information about lodging, restaurant options and COVID-19 updates, check out the Chincoteague town website.