Conference Overview
The International Beachcombing Conference offers consummate and novice beachcombers alike the opportunity to come together to learn more about the beachcombing experience and the science which makes beachcombing possible.
Speakers include nationally-known beachcomb experts, naturalists, biologists, ocean activists, and geologists, many of whom are also award-winning authors.
Attendees will gain a broader view of the factors affecting our beaches worldwide and how they impact the beachcomb experience. Have you ever wondered where the artifacts you find came from and how old they are? How to identify and locate productive beachcombing sites and date what you find? You will learn all these things and more at the beachcomb conference through the guidance of these experts and other consummate beachcombers.
Learn about paleontology, anthropology, beachcomb ethics and ocean policies, as well as more information on sea glass, beach pottery, shells, and shipwreck treasures through lectures and panel discussions. You will have hands-on experience combing some of the best beachcomb sites in this region. Photography and beach arts workshops are offered as well as artifact identification sessions designed for all levels of experience. Throughout the weekend, attendees can relax and browse local artisans' beach crafts and jewelry. We have also added a Collectors Showcase to the Trader’s Alley evening where you can share your favorite or more interesting beach treasures.
The International Beachcomb Conference is an educational event, not a craft festival. Though vendors will be on site selling beautiful handmade sea glass and beach treasure items, participant time will largely be spent involved in learning and skills building activities. And because we want each and every one of you to be able to spend time with specialists, we are keeping the conference to a minimum of 90 people. So register soon as field trips and workshops fill up quickly!
Venue
Virden Retreat Center,
University of Delaware
700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958
Web site:
www.udel.edu/conferences
The site for this year's conference will be the University of Delaware's Virden Retreat Center in peaceful, bayside Lewes, Delaware. The Center is situated adjacent to Delaware Bay near Cape Henlopen and the Atlantic Ocean, offering participants the perfect venue to gain firsthand knowledge of the fascinating ecology and settlement history of this region of the beachcombing world.
You may discover a wide variety of beach treasures on these beaches. Delaware Bay and the mid-Atlantic Ocean are rich in paleontological and human history. Treasures range from Miocene era (17 million years ago) shark teeth to American Indian artifacts to sea glass, ceramic shards, buttons, bottles, and clay pipe stems from colonial settlements and/or Victorian summer resorts. The Delaware-Maryland shorelines are famous for shipwreck booty from downed 17th, 18th and 19th century pirate, merchant or military vessels. Sometimes marbles and interesting lures from 20th century summer resort colonies or fishing camps wash in with the tides or, if you are really lucky, a wave may expose a gold doubloon or piece of eight nestled in the sand.
Agenda
TENTATIVE AGENDA
Thursday 11/3
5:00-7:00 Register
7:00-9:30
Wine and Cheese party
Holiday Bazaar Opens
Welcome Address
Presentation
Friday 11/4
7:30-9:00 Registration. Breakfast
9:00-1:00 Beachcomb Field Trips (boxed lunch)
1:30-5:30 Presentations
6:00-7:30 Dinner
7:30-10:30
Collectors Showcase
Traders Alley
Artifact ID Sessions
Author Book signings
Saturday 11/5
7:30-9:00 Registration. Breakfast
9:00-1:00 Beachcomb Field Trips/Workshops (boxed lunch)
1:30-5:30 Presentations
5:30-7:30 Dinner on the town
7:30-10:30
Lantern Tour Field Trips
Beach Arts Workshops
(continuation option: Collectors Showcase, Traders Alley
Artifact ID Sessions, Author Book signings)
Sunday 11/6
7:30-9:00 Registration. Breakfast
9:00-10:00 Beachcomb Alliance Meeting
10:00 - 11:00 Final Presentations
11:00 - 12:00 Raffle Drawing