Wildlife Lists & Scavenger Hunts: Use the lists in our Wildlife section with guides you can find at most bookstores to keep track of everything you see. If you like competition, go out in teams of two or three, pick one creature or wildflower and see who spots it first or who spots the most on your list.

Service Tourism: You can help improve the places you visit. This may be as simple as taking an hour of your time on the beach or trail to pick up trash left by other more careless tourists. Or, call ahead to your favorite park or wildlife preserve and ask about opportunities to volunteer while you are visiting. During the Spring and Fall there are plantings you may be able to help with. For teens or adults, there may also be opportunities to help build or repair trails. And don't miss a chance to take part in bird bandings and wildlife surveys like the Great Worcester Herp Search. You will cherish the memories of the fun and the satisfaction of your contribution.

Photography: Ever hear that expression "Take a picture - It lasts longer!" Well it is true! Whether you have a small throw-away-instamatic or a digital video camera, photography is a great way to take back the memories of your trip. It is also an eco-friendly alternative to picking up seashells and flowers.

Scrapbooks: Every place you visit has a pamphlet, brochure and postcards. Recycle these by cutting out the best pictures and mixing them with your own photos in a scrapbook of your travels. Add little comments about where you went and what you saw. Here are some other scrapbook ideas:
   · Mail yourself postcards including descriptions of where you have been. When you get home tape the left side of the card into your scrapbook like a hinge so your card can be read.
   · Don't wait till you get home. Take scrapbook supplies with you to do in the car. What a great way to occupy the kids on the long trip home.

Creative Adventure Journal: This is a great family activity. At the end of each day of your trip write down make believe exploits of an imaginary family who just went to the places you did. Older kids or parents can act as "scribe." It can be as wild and silly as you want it to be. Be sure and mention all the beautiful scenery and wildlife you saw. Each person can add a piece of the story each day. At the end of your trip add it to your scrapbook or post it on your family website.

Sketch Journals: Art lovers often carry watercolors, pencils or pastels and sketch each place they visit. There is no need to worry about how good they are - just have fun making them. Just as with the scrapbook, art supplies make a long trip go faster for kids. And for adults looking for a relaxing activity, keeping a sketch journal can be just the thing. And vacation masterpieces make great gifts when put in inexpensive frames.

Star Gazing: Many places you might visit on the peninsula are far enough from city lights to be excellent places to view the night sky. This makes Delmarva a great place to star gaze. And this is a great family activity for the evening. You can use telescopes, binoculars and sometimes the naked eye to see many celestial events, like the Perseid meteor showers that can be seen in early August. Be sure and check with park visitor centers to find out about their nighttime nature walks and astronomy events. Visit DelmarvaStargazers.org to find out more about local activities and suggested viewing times.

Chesapeake Bay Game: This game sponsored by Maryland's Department of Natural Resources is just for kids traveling in the area to learn more about our natural resources. It runs from the end of May through the summer. Click here to check it out!

Assateague Mini & Junior Ranger Program: Created for kids from age 4-5 and 6-14 respectively, these packets can be purchased at National Park visitor centers, and can be done year round.

Coast Kids: The Assateague Coastal Trust has put together a great membership package including a book, a T-shirt, a waterproof pouch of explorer goodies, and more. Click here to check it out!

Black Water Refuge: Visit the Refuge's "kid page" for games, printable coloring pages and more.

Friends of Blackwater: Another site about the Refuge with cool quizzes and games.