2025 Summer Camp Line-up Announced!

CAMP CHESAPEAKE

Camp Chesapeake serves rising third through eighth grade students and runs

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Campers will explore each week’s theme through age-appropriate field trips and activities. All activities and entrance fees are included. 

Please note the following: a $100 non-refundable deposit per camp is required to confirm enrollment in camp, and a 3% service fee will be added to all payments made by credit card; this fee does not apply to debit cards.

Rooted in Nature: A Garden Adventure–June 22-27, $350 One Spot Left

Join us for a hands-on adventure in the garden! Explore the world of plants, from landscaping with native species to growing your own garden. Work together to create a native plant space on campus, while learning how to cook with fresh ingredients straight from the earth. This camp blends nature, creativity, and culinary fun for a truly unique outdoor experience!

Fun Day Sundae–June 30-July 3, $325

Nothing is more patriotic than a cool ice cream after a hot summer day of adventure! Campers will participate in daily trips and activities such as bowling and beach time. Each day will include a cool treat at local ice cream destinations. Campers will try their hand at making homemade ice cream, too! Of course, expect splashes of red, white, and blue celebrations all week long! Please note that Fun Day Sundae camp will only run Monday through Thursday due to the holiday.

Exploring the Northern Neck and Beyond–July 7-11, $400 One Spot Left

Find adventure in and around the water! This favorite camp is back with new activities and destinations. Campers will explore parks, swim, and go on adventures–a perfect way to discover all the Northern Neck and surrounding area has to offer! 

Mad Science–July 14-18, $375 Two Spots Left

Through experiments and activities both on and off campus, campers will explore the exciting world of science! Fun-filled, hands-on experiences make this a dynamite week! Embrace your inner scientist and join the fun! 

All-Star Sports Camp: Game On! $350 One Spot Left

Get ready for an action-packed week of sports! From basketball to ultimate frisbee, soccer to pickleball, campers get to try a variety of games while building skills, teamwork, and confidence. Perfect for a beginner or a seasoned player: this camp has something for everyone!

Mystery Tour, $400 Waitpool

Chesapeake Academy’s famous mystery tour is back! New destinations and surprises make for a thrilling week where no two days will be the same. There is something for everyone at this camp. Mystery Tour will keep campers guessing what fun is to come each day! All entrance fees are included.

CAMP IRVINGTON 

Camp Irvington serves children ages four through rising second grade and runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Campers explore each week’s theme through age-appropriate activities and field trips. All activities and entrance fees are included. Please note that campers are transported on a bus, and travel times may be up to 1.5 hours. All campers must be fully potty-trained and able to independently manage themselves in the restroom.

Please note the following: a $100 non-refundable deposit per camp is required to confirm enrollment in camp, and a 3% service fee will be added to all payments made by credit card; this fee does not apply to debit cards.

Bloom & Create: A Colorful Garden Adventure–June 23-27, $325 Waitpool

Come explore the magic of nature through vibrant colors and creative fun! Little gardeners will plant flowers, learn about the beauty of growing things, and bring their imagination to life with colorful painting, crafts, and hands-on activities. From nature walks to painting pots, this camp is all about exploring, creating, and blossoming in a world full of color!

Holiday Hullabaloo–June 30-July 3, $325 Waitpool

Join us for a whirlwind of holiday fun, where we’ll celebrate the best traditions from Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 4th of July! From crafting festive decorations to creating tasty treats, each week brings a new holiday adventure. Get ready for games, arts & crafts, and plenty of holiday cheer all year long! Please note that camp will only run Monday through Thursday due to the holiday.

Nature Bond Camp: Connect, Explore, Grow–July 7-11, $325 One Spot Left

Step into the great outdoors and discover the magic of nature! At Nature Bond Camp, you'll connect with the environment through hands-on activities like hiking, wildlife exploration, and team-building games. From planting trees to identifying local plants and animals, this camp is all about forging a deeper bond with the earth and building lasting memories with friends. Nature awaits—let’s explore and grow together!

Animal Adventures: Explore, Learn, Play–July 14-18, $350 Waitpool

Embark on an exciting journey into the animal kingdom! From discovering local wildlife to learning about exotic creatures, Animal Adventures is packed with hands-on fun. Explore habitats, create animal-themed crafts, and get up close with furry, scaly, and feathered friends. Whether you’re a budding biologist or just love animals, this camp is a wild ride of discovery and adventure!

Little Builders: A STEAM Adventure–July 21-25, $325 Waitpool

Let your creativity soar in this fun-filled camp where building meets play! Little builders will explore simple engineering, colorful crafts, and hands-on science activities. From constructing towers to exploring fun art projects, each day is an exciting adventure of learning, experimenting, and creating. Perfect for young minds ready to build, imagine, and discover the world around them!

Mystery Tour–July 28-August 1, $350 Three Spots Left

Chesapeake Academy’s famous mystery tour is back again! Surprises make for a thrilling week where no two days will be the same. There is something for everyone at this camp. Mystery Tour will keep campers guessing what fun is to come each day! All entrance fees are included.

Trip to Science Museum Features Dome Show

Chesapeake Academy lower school students trekked to the Richmond Science Museum to see the Dome show, "Imagine the Moon," as an enrichment to their classroom studies. While there, classes enjoyed the various exhibits with activities centering on motion and time, hands-on mind and body challenges, and tower building with Legos. 

ERB/OLSATS:

How Parents Can Best Support Students 

During Standardized Testing 

Chesapeake Academy students will be involved in standardized testing beginning April 23. Students in kindergarten through second grade will be taking the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), and students in third through eighth grade will be taking the ERB test. Classroom teachers will organize the testing modules to best suit the daily flow of school life, ensuring that no more than two tests are given on a single day. Schedules for individual grades will be shared with families closer to the test dates.

The OLSAT is a multiple-choice K-12 assessment that measures reasoning skills with several different types of verbal, non-verbal, figural, and quantitative reasoning questions. It is designed to assess a child's performance across a wide variety of reasoning skillsets. The multiple-choice ERB test is designed to provide information about a student's performance in several key areas (depending on grade level): listening comprehension, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, word analysis, writing mechanics, and mathematics. The ERB tests provide a snapshot of current student learning that can highlight trends in achievement. They can provide information that helps guide instruction based on an individual student's strengths and areas for future growth. As with any standardized test, general test-taking skills, nerves, and familiarity with testing routines can affect student scores.

Parents play a key role in helping students prepare for standardized tests. Your partnership is critical in helping your kiddo enter each test with a calm presence and confidence in their abilities. With this in mind, make sure that your learner gets a good night's sleep so that focus and energy levels are steady throughout the week. Take time to provide a healthy breakfast that has filling protein and fiber so that brain function is optimal. Be sure to talk about the tests in simple terms so that OLSATs and ERBs don't lead to unnecessary stress. After all, though these evaluations provide a data point for assessment and planning, they are only one aspect of a student’s academic profile. Finally, consider setting your alarm clock a few minutes earlier so that mornings are fluid and don't feel rushed. Organized morning calm is always the best medicine for a healthy, happy school day!

CA Enjoys Picnic with Parents



Spring is here and the CA community is stepping out. No more huddling indoors! The CA community gathered for a Spring family picnic, and Mother Nature gracefully withheld her customary April capriciousness. All smiles, families gathered on blankets and shared so much more than food.

Kindergarten Book Brackets: March Madness!

In celebration of March Madness, kindergarten students engaged in a book bracket. Starting with 16 fantastic books, the class explored the books and debated their merits before voting in 2 rounds to narrow it down to the final 4. Students then picked a remaining favorite and campaigned through posters, writing assignments, and speeches presented to the class. The stunning final match up ended in a tie, followed by a tie breaker that crowned The Day the Crayons Quit the champion, defeating After the Fall by one vote.

Writers and Researchers Abound in Second Grade

With a focus on nonfiction text this marking period, the second grade class used reading and writing to explore social studies lessons. Little historians reviewed the famous presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and were able to use graphic organizers to complete writing pieces about these two historical figures. They then used multimedia tools to research, collect facts, and present information about other famous United States presidents.

CA's Artstravaganza will be held on Thursday, May 15. It will begin with a student art gallery in the HUB from 4:00-5:30 p.m. that will be followed by an all school performance in the gym starting at 5:30 p.m.

Students will return to their classrooms by 5:00 to get ready for the performance. Pizza dinner will be provided for students by CAPPA. Information is coming soon on your child's costumes/outfits.

CA's Faye Society Welcomes Jen Baird

Estate planning is all about priorities...deciding what matters and planning for your legacy to align with your values. The Faye Society's newest member Jen Baird explains, "Being a seventh generation Vermonter taught me core values and Yankee ingenuity. My parents' stressed that you spent your money on education and vacation, not the latest fad coming down the pike. They also stressed the importance of giving back."

In my second act of life I found teaching and working with children was rewarding and something I really enjoyed. Chesapeake Academy found me three years ago, and I have happily been involved ever since. The opportunities that CA offers its students and faculty are limitless: You just have to have a dream and an idea and the CA Community will help you work to make it happen. The students, faculty, and staff are top of their game. Don't believe me? Look at the roster of alumni and where they are today or the faculty that have garnered various awards.

I am pleased to include Chesapeake Academy in my Trust. It is a way to say 'Thank You for letting me share in your future!'" 

Many assume affluence is a pre-requisite for Faye membership, but estate planning benefits all walks of life. Chesapeake Academy's Faye Society honors folks who know CA makes a vital difference in our community and who wish to support its mission in their estate planning.

PALS Presents Richmond Ballet's "Cinderella"



On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Chesapeake Academy's Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) presented the Richmond Ballet's "Cinderella" to prekindergarten through grade four students. If the spinning, leaping and twirling on the playground after the performance is any indication, the audience found this performance inspirational. The touring troupe interpreted this familiar tale with magical movement and quick explanations that helped students understand the art form. 

Local schools, pre-schools, and homeschooling families are routinely invited to attend PALS performances. PALS programming is funded by the Wiley Foundation with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts to make the arts more readily available to young children in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. 

Designing Doughnuts is Never Dull!

As part of a unit on persuasive writing, CA fourth grade teacher Harley Hayden thought it would be a cool idea to reach out to Chesapeake Doughnuts to see if they could lend some authentic inspiration and feedback to the process. Hayden's students designed and described a brand new style of doughnut in a pitch to the staff at Chesapeake Doughnuts in a competition for a chance to be the inventor of the doughnut that would earn a place on the store shelves. 

Each student crafted a persuasive piece describing their unique doughnut concept and explaining why their creation should be chosen as the winning design. Chesapeake Doughnuts generously agreed to read all of the proposals and select one winning doughnut to bring to life! The students designed a visual representation of their doughnut along with the persuasive writing piece describing their doughnut. 



After careful consideration, a winning idea was chosen, along with a runner-up idea; and Chesapeake Doughnuts baked the winning design into a reality. Berkley Grass was the first place winner, and Eden Ginsberg was awarded runner-up. Soon, the winning doughnuts will be available in the store for a limited time, allowing students to see the power of their writing in action!

PALS Presents Songs and Stories of Mexilachia

On Thursday, April 17, Chesapeake Academy's Seth Ware Ahlborn Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) presented the Lua Project's "Gathering Musical Goodness or the Global Village: The Songs and Stories of Mexilachia” to pre-K through sixth grade students at 9:30 a.m. in the Osprey Dome. This show featured a bi-lingual journey into Spanish language music for younger children, focusing on songs and stories and an introduction to Mexican and Appalachian music instruments and dance.

Local schools, pre-schools, and homeschooling families are routinely invited to attend PALS performances. PALS programming is funded by the Wiley Foundation with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts to make the arts more readily available to young children in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Chesapeake Academy was delighted to welcome 80 kindergarten students from Northumberland Elementary School for this performance.

Redfish Gallery Hosts Student Art Show

Lindsay Wozniak, owner of the Redfish Gallery in Irvington, hosted a student art contest for CA art students in grades K-8. The winners chosen will have their artwork displayed in the gallery through the month of March, which is Youth Art Month. The contest winners are pictured here by the Redfish car: From left to right are Cayden Miller, Oliver Webre, Cooper Lamb, Leo Roberts, Atlas Demirkan, Rio Elam, Savanna Shade, Merritt Kelley, Eden Ginsberg, Violet Edmonds, Emma Campbell, Avery Spore, Alyra Elam, and Madison Campbell. Not pictured, Henry Clair.

Arts and Innovation is Alive at CA!

Third grade students designed and built intricate marble mazes using LEGO bricks, incorporating a variety of engineering elements and problem-solving skills. They created obstacles for the marble to avoid, making sure the path was challenging. The mazes required the marble to navigate through a set number of turns, each one involving sharp angles or twists that added complexity. Students also included inclined planes, where the marble had to roll up a ramp at a specific angle before coming back down to continue the journey. Some mazes featured tunnels or other structures that the marble had to travel through, while others added doors or gates that the marble had to roll past or through. These designs combined creativity and problem-solving, turning the simple act of rolling a marble into an exciting engineering challenge. 

A Journey to Mount Olympus: Sixth Grade Explores Greek Mythology

Sixth grade Ancient World History students learned about ancient Greek gods and goddesses, then held their own Council of the Gods on Mount Olympus! Each student prepared a costume, drew an image of their throne, and studied the personalities, powers, likes and dislikes of their assigned ancient Greek deity to prepare for their role.  Zeus, Hera, and the rest of the council gods were all in attendance, where various godly and mortal issues were debated and decided! 

CA Design Team Builds on Success

In a field of ten middle school teams, Chesapeake Academy's Osprey Nest Nautical Repair Team distinguished themselves by earning a second place at the Virginia Ship Repair Association's Digital Innovation Competition with their idea for a MIST drone. MIST stands for Mini Inspector and Safety Technology. Designed to travel into confined spaces in marine vessels to determine air quality, the MIST drone can detect a lack of oxygen or the presence of toxic gasses in enclosed areas of naval ships.

Twelve middle school students at Chesapeake Academy identified an issue in the shipping industry with discovering areas of dangerous air quality on naval ships. As their design evolved, students interviewed naval officers, drone makers, and shipbuilders and met with their advisor, Jessica Galassie, Senior Program Manager at the Virginia Digital Maritime Center in the Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation at Old Dominion University. By the time the team presented their design to a panel of industry experts, they had designed and redesigned their prototype many times, implementing improvements and feedback. 

Team coach Robin Blake explains, "Last year's team identified several places they needed to improve in their preparation and their presentation, and this year's team set out to make that happen. After brainstorming several design initiatives, CA students implemented their research in a solid prototype, and they were prepared to answer all questions from the panel of judges. Students were ready for the spotlight in a large venue–and their design excited the judges!"  

Blake continues, "This sort of success fuels more and more engaging innovation! But it only becomes possible when students tackle innovation, design, problem solving and presentation skills from the early grades consistently, building the critical thinking and collaborative team skills required to bring a concept to reality." 

Middle School Activity Period Offerings Annnounced

United States Landmarks Lego Challenge: Students will work to create different U.S. landmarks out of Legos. 

Collaging: Students will use various print materials (newspapers, magazines, etc.) to create collages. 

Outdoor Games: Student favorites like kickball, volleyball, capture the flag, sardines, cornhole, etc. 

STEM Activities/Challenges: Students will work on different activities that incorporate STEM principles such as science, math, building, designing, and technology. 

Polymer Clay: Students will learn about and use polymer clay to create different pieces of art!

Oyster Shell Art: Students will use oyster shells to create pieces of art and jewelry. This will also include introductions to painting and decoupage. 

Faye Society Plays Unique Role in Chesapeake Academy's Future

Operating quietly under the radar, a group of committed supporters of Chesapeake Academy continue to impact the school's long-term sustainability through estate gifts to the school. These are the members of Chesapeake Academy's Faye Society.  From all ages and stages and all walks of life, these far-seeing individuals realize that the future springs from the present, and they believe in Chesapeake Academy's role in a growing and thriving Northern Neck community.

Head of School Catherine L. Emery explains, “Members of the Faye Society have made a personal commitment to help ensure the economic, educational, and social vitality of the Northern Neck community. Maintaining an independent educational option allows parents the opportunity to seek the best match in learning settings for their child and helps to ensure that the region remains an attractive professional destination. Chesapeake Academy’s vigorous and dynamic curriculum focuses on authentic, place-based learning that develops vital 21st century skills. With a priority on developing good citizens who answer the call to leadership, the Academy has been a strong contributor to the local community for fifty-nine years.”

The Faye Society, founded in 2001, recognizes contributions and charitable bequests for the long-term growth and sustainability of Chesapeake Academy. The society is named in honor of Captain and Mrs. James Faye who generously included Chesapeake Academy as a beneficiary of their estate in 1987. Their foresight, thoughtful consideration, and charitable planning made a tremendous impact on the Academy’s future and fiscal stability.

Faye member Marilyn Creager explains the choice she and her husband made to become part of the Faye Society, "After serving on the Board of Directors, and observing the exceptional education being provided by Chesapeake Academy, I concluded that without government support and being financed entirely by tuition, contributions, and fund raising efforts,  Chesapeake Academy will always need additional money for ever increasing projects.  Being part of the Faye Society will help to provide those funds." 

Membership in the Faye Society recognizes patrons who have made Chesapeake Academy a part of their planned charitable giving. Since its founding 24 years ago, 62 individuals have taken a leadership role by making a commitment of planned giving to Chesapeake Academy. Gifts are invested in the school’s endowment or allocated to school projects of the donor’s choosing. Funds received by the endowment are professionally managed by institutional asset managers. These gifts provide the Academy with a well-diversified portfolio for optimum performance and growth potential.

Chesapeake Academy’s Faye Society offers estate planners broad flexibility for donors that can solve a variety of estate planning needs. This sort of legacy gift is an option for all income brackets. The options are many and varied, and the outcome ensures the Academy continues to be a vibrant, academically challenging, and sustainable educational alternative in the Northern Neck community for the decades to come.

More information about Chesapeake Academy and the Faye Society is available by contacting Head of School Catherine L. Emery at 804.438.5575 or clemery@chesapeakeacademy.org.

Student Council Update!



Student Council officers are pleased to announce that their pajama tag day fundraiser to help a local family was a success.  CA students and families raised $500 for the Mironov family of Lancaster, who lost their home in a recent fire. Student Council would like to thank the entire CA community for their generosity!



Coach's Corner

As spring sports clinics come to a close, I reflect on why this time of year is always a fun one at CA, even though our competitive seasons are finished.

Each spring, our goal is to allow students to explore a wide variety of sports in a welcoming, low-pressure environment that prioritizes fun, movement, and community. These clinics are not just about learning the basics of a sport; they’re about discovering new interests, building confidence, and creating meaningful moments with peers outside the classroom.

In our first session, students dove into basketball shooting and conditioning with Coach T, made a splash in swimming sessions led by Ms. Blake, and picked up sticks for field hockey with me.

Ospreys participating in the second session of clinics continue to show this positive momentum as they try their hands at fly casting thanks to our dear friend, Sam Monroe, join a motivated running club with Mrs. Sterrett, or tennis clinics led by myself. We are also thrilled to offer two lacrosse clinics again this year, thanks to Coach Dehm and some talented Christchurch School players. 

Participating in these clinics gives our Ospreys a chance to sample sports they may continue beyond their time at CA, but even more importantly, it helps them develop a love for movement, teamwork, and trying something new. It’s been a joy to watch students grow in confidence, discover hidden talents, and simply have fun together in an active, supportive setting.

Thank you for encouraging your children to take part, show up with curiosity, and embrace the spirit of the season. We’re incredibly proud of them and grateful for our amazing coaches and community members who helped make it all possible.

Go Ospreys!

Coach Allen

CAPPA Update!

CAPPA's fundraiser in partnership with The Black Duck at Yankee Point was a huge success, raising $500 for use at the school. Thank you to all who came out to enjoy some delicious food for a great cause!

We will be holding a Mother's Day shopping event at Dear Neighbor in Irvington on Thursday, May 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Twenty percent of proceeds from sales that evening will go to CAPPA. So come on out, bring your mothers or your friends, and have a glass of wine and enjoy a casual evening of shopping in support of CAPPA projects for CA. 

Look out for info about Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9) coming soon from your room parents!

Cue Up Your Calendars!

4/17 PALS, Songs and Stores of Mexilachia, 9:30 a.m. Ospreydome, pre-k through grade 6

4/18 Good Friday

4/18 CAPPA Meeting, 8:30 a.m., Art Room

4/21 No School/Easter Monday

4/22 Earth Day

4/23 through 5/7 ERBs/OLSATs

4/23 Academic and Latin Awards Assembly, 10:05 a.m.

4/30 Tag Day

5/3 Run for the Roses Auction

5/5 Interims

5/7 Dress Uniform

5/5 through 5/9, Tybee Island Field Study, seventh and eighth grades

5/9 PALS, After Jack: Hot Folk, 9:30 a.m., Ospreydome, pre-k through grade 4

5/11 Mother's Day!

5/15 ARTStravaganza

5/22 K through fourth, Norfolk Zoo Field Trip

5/22 Tybee Island Symposium

5/23 Field Day

5/26 No School Memorial Day

5/27 through 30 Exams

5/30 Final Assembly/Last Day of School

6/3 Graduation

6/9 Report Cards

Attitude of Gratitude!

• The last days of winter and chilly days of early spring featured the mysterious appearance of the Sticky Bun Fairy. This anonymous soul lifted hearts and widened waistlines. Whoever you are....we love you!

• Some volunteers just show the rest of us how its done. Beth Somers is back in the saddle again coordinating another creative auction for CA. Check in with Beth and Catherine Emry to find out how to help!



• Auction volunteers are heroes. Thank you for all the many ways you make it all come together!