The School Leaders Environmental Leadership Program provides high-quality professional learning that meets the evolving needs of school leaders. Through hands-on experiences, content training, resource sharing, and collegial discussion leaders learn how to design a school program that both utilizes and benefits their local environment. Participants gain firsthand experience on the Chesapeake Bay while strengthening their leadership capacity in environmental education. Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to network with fellow leaders, learn from experts, and explore active inquiry-based instruction. Meet and collaborate with peers while forging a connection between your school community and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
2025 Summer Courses for School Leaders
Registration opens January 1, 2025. Please check back then or sign up to receive CBF Education emails. The following information applies to all courses. Courses follow in chronological order. For more information, please contact the Chesapeake Classrooms team, 410-268-8816.
Important Information
Course Credit
Upon successful course completion, participants may be eligible for continuing education credit or contact hours. See details on the Professional Learning Credits page.
Orientation
A virtual orientation will be hosted in the weeks prior to each coures's start. A link will be provided.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests must be made in writing. Space is limited. If you register and are unable to attend, please email the Chesapeake Classrooms team as soon as possible, so we are able to fill your spot.
Registration Deadline
Course registration will close three weeks prior to the course start date.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025–Friday, July 11, 2025
Virginia Environmental Leadership for School Leaders
Open to all school leaders in the VA public school system.
School leaders, administrators, and coordinators from Virginia are invited to join CBF for a three-day immersive exploration of Chesapeake Bay and the unique waterman community of Tangier Island. Through hands-on experiences, school leaders will explore the positive effects that environmental education has on mental health and well-being, student engagement, and the development of twenty-first century skills. Participants will design a successful environmental literacy plan that is systemic, equitable, and sustainable while utilizing and benefiting the local environment. Join us on the Chesapeake Bay to network and collaborate with other education leaders from the Virginia public school system to develop environmental literacy plans.
Length & Location: Three-day, two-night residential experience at CBF's Port Isobel Island Environmental Education Center for field-based, whole-group, outdoor investigations. The ferry departs Reedville, VA at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9 and returns no later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11.
Cost: There is no fee, thanks to support from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Registration opens January 1
Wednesday, July 23, 2025–Friday, July 25, 2025
Environmental Leadership for Independent School Leaders
Open to all school and sustainability leaders, coordinators, and administrators in DC, MD, VA, PA, WV.
Individuals in independent school sustainability leadership roles across the watershed are invited to join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a three-day immersive exploration of the Bay and the unique waterman community of Smith Island. CBF is partnering with AIMS, AISGW, VAIS, The Gunston School and The Country School to offer a course specifically tailored to independent school environmental sustainability leaders. Through hands-on experiences, course participants will consider how a school's "environmental mission statement" impacts school culture; explore how organizational structures can support and enhance a school's environmental mission; and discuss how a school can most effectively design and implement high-impact environmental curriculum and programming to benefit their local environment, promote environmental literacy, and boost academic achievement. In addition, participants will learn how a school's campus and facilities can serve as an integrating context for environmental teaching and learning while boosting student mental health and well-being. Join us on the Bay to network and collaborate with other independent school sustainability leaders from around the watershed.
Length & Location: Three-day, two-night residential experience at CBF's Port Isobel Island Environmental Education Center for field-based, whole-group, outdoor investigations. The ferry departs Crisfield, MD at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23 and returns no later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25.
Cost: There is no fee, thanks to support from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Registration opens January 1
Wednesday, July 30, 2025–Friday, August 1, 2025
Virginia Environmental Leadership for School Leaders
Open to all school leaders in the VA public school system.
School leaders, administrators, and coordinators from Virginia are invited to join CBF for a three-day immersive exploration of Chesapeake Bay and the unique waterman community of Tangier Island. Through hands-on experiences, school leaders will explore the positive effects that environmental education has on mental health and well-being, student engagement, and the development of twenty-first century skills. Participants will design a successful environmental literacy plan that is systemic, equitable, and sustainable while utilizing and benefiting the local environment. Join us on the Chesapeake Bay to network and collaborate with other education leaders from the Virginia public school system to develop environmental literacy plans.
Length & Location: Three-day, two-night residential experience at CBF's Port Isobel Island Environmental Education Center for field-based, whole-group, outdoor investigations. The ferry departs Reedville, VA at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 and returns no later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 1.
Cost: There is no fee, thanks to support from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Registration opens January 1
Wednesday, July 30, 2025–Friday, August 1, 2025
School Leaders Explore Sustainability
Open to all school leaders and administrators in DC, MD, VA, PA, WV.
School leaders across the watershed are invited to join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a three-day exploration of the Bay and the unique waterman's community of Smith Island. Through hands-on field experiences, school leaders will investigate the effects that environmental education has on mental health and wellbeing, student engagement, and the development of twenty-first century skills. Participants will begin planning a school program that utilizes and benefits their local environment, promotes environmental literacy, and boosts academic achievement. Join us on the Bay to network and collaborate with other education leaders from around the watershed.
Length & Location: Three-day, two-night residential experience at CBF's Smith Island Environmental Education Center for field-based, whole-group, outdoor investigations. The ferry departs Crisfield, MD at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 and returns no later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 1.
Cost: There is no fee, thanks to support from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Registration opens January 1
