This year's summer activities schedule is sure to have something for everyone. A returning favorite is the ever popular bird walk, Feathered Whatsits, at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. For those with an interest in cultural history, Legacy of the Lighthouse will be conducted (it 9:30 a.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays. Marsh Marvels, another popular walk, will be offered at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Discover the behind-the-scenes story of refuge endangered specie management through Woodland Wonders at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays. While on this walk, visitors will also learn how the famous Chincoteague Ponies f it into the barrier island dynamics of Assateague Island. Refuge auditorium programs, which will be held on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, will be fun and fact-filled by covering a variety of topics. Lastly, Island Nightlife, on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m., will provide visitors with an introduction to the refuge wildlife that come out after the sun goes down.

A new interpretive program for this year is the Hike for Tikes. This thirty-minute program, filled with fun and learning for preschoolers, ages 3 to 5, will be offered on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. An adult must accompany the child. In addition, older youths my pick up the Junior Refuge Manager (ages 6 - 9) and Junior Birder booklets (ages 10 - 13) at the Chincoteague Refuge Visitor Center. Children are -required to complete one of these booklets to earn a patch. An awards ceremony is held daily at 2:00 p.m. to provide participants with special recognition as well as give parents a great photo opportunity. Ceremony participants need to present their. booklets by I p.m. if they want to participate in the awards ceremony. If children and parents are not interested in participating in the awards ceremony, they can obtain their patches anytime during the operating hours of the Chincoteague Refuge Visitor Center. Please check in at least one hour before closing.

Jill Van Scoyoc, Outdoor Recreation Planner - CNWR