Canoe and Kayak Races June 28, 2009

Greetings CBFL Members and Friends,

CBFL will finish school trips this week as summer approaches. The shore side program continues to impress educators from around the state and the skipjack program continues to evolve into a tradition for many schools. Whether it is seining, dip netting in the creek, bird watching or tonging for oysters and observing the many critters of the Chesapeake it is truly captivating for old and young alike. Many thanks to all the staff and teachers and volunteers that makes this educational experience possible.

CBFL is a fee-based 501(c) 3 organization and like all non profits continually struggles to complete its Vision and Mission on track.

Our Vision: Chesapeake Bay Field Lab provides opportunities for future generations to learn about the Southern Maryland waterman and the Bay with hands-on experiences on a working skipjack and through environmental shore side programs. Our aim is to keep alive the history and culture of the watermen, with their ties to the farming community and inspire our visitors to be good stewards of the Bay

Our Mission: Our mission is to operate the workboats of the Chesapeake, like the skipjack, as floating classrooms, giving people the opportunity to experience the life of the waterman and learn about the Bay and its tributaries. We will offer our visitors learning experiences on St. George Island, by creating an oyster house classroom as a living museum and restoration lab and by preserving the surrounding rural atmosphere. CBFL will grow as an educational institution for people of all ages and backgrounds, with special consideration to ensure its services are fully accessible. We will grow our service capacity and keep this entity operational for future generations to enjoy, by bringing on staff, building membership and leveraging private and public resources.

CBFL will host an Inaugural Canoe and Kayak Event at the Bay Lab on St. George Island Sunday, June 28th from noon to 4pm. Bring your canoe or kayak to 16127 Piney Point Road, St. George Island, and explore our beautiful island. A trip around the island is about 6 miles. We have 50 nesting pair of Ospreys here and the young have just hatched. You can get a bird's eye view of races for the afternoon, paddle with the otters, diamondback turtles and the mute swans. All proceeds go to environmental education at the Bay Lab.

Please pass this information on to your email lists.

The River Creek Lodge is now open on St. George Island. They have 28 waterfront rooms for overnight accommodations. www.rivercreeklodge.com, 301-994-1234

Remember: "It's Our bay, Lets Pass It On" We are only passing through.

From Capn Jack and 1st Mate Fulchiron