Who is Chesapeake Experience?

Chesapeake Experience is a local, non-profit (501-c3) organization dedicated to providing environmental education on the Chesapeake Bay for students, teachers, special groups and the general public. Programs are experiential in nature and focus primarily on getting people on the Bay in kayaks. Chesapeake Experience is based in York County, VA, but serves the entire Hampton Roads region.

Jill Bieri, Director of Chesapeake Experience, has nearly 20 years of experience on the Bay, holds a master's degree in marine science and has worked as both a scientific researcher and an environmental educator. She has developed numerous hands-on programs for children and adults locally, regionally and nationally. Jill believes that providing opportunities for people to personally connect with the bay is one of the most important ways to make a reversal in the bay's decline.

Cherise La Guardia, Summer Program Coordinator, received a bachelor of science in biology fall 2007 and will receive her masters in secondary science education spring 2009, both from Virginia Tech. GO HOKIES!  She believes the best way to teach children is to include as many hands on activities as possible, and the dirtier you get, the better!  2008 is Cherise’s second season with Chesapeake Experience. 2009 is her third year with Chesapeake Experience.  

Diane Hunt, Program Coordinator and Staff Photographer, has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology.   She had been an avid community volunteer for over 13 years focusing her time in the local elementary school system during her children’s primary years.  She has now turned her attention to her passion of preserving and enhancing the environment for people and wildlife of future generations.  Diane lives in York County with her husband, Dave and their two sons.

Lee Schuster, Teacher Program Coordinator, has an undergraduate degree in recreation and outdoor education and a masters in middle childhood education. She has taught in museums and public schools for 20 years. She currently supervises student teachers in secondary science for the College of William and Mary. Lee believes that the only way people can understand their natural environment is to experience it first hand. She enjoys sharing nature with others, watching birds, biking and exploring the last frontier-Alaska.

Hayley Hamadyk, Hayley is in her second year at the University of Virginia and is majoring in sociology and also planning on studying elementary education. 2009 will be her second year with Chesapeake Experience. She loves anything having to do with being outdoors!

Abbey Lamb, Summer Program Assistant, just finished her second year at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. She is majoring in Marine Biology and Studio Art. This is her second season with us at Chesapeake Experience. Outside of work Abbey enjoys reading and staying active playing soccer and going to the beach.

Matt Thompson, Summer Intern, just finished his sophomore year at William and Mary and is majoring in biology. He really enjoys working with children and being outside and out on the water. Matt is the Editor of our camp newspaper "Boats, Buckets and Nets".

If you are interested in learning more about Chesapeake Experience, please contact us.