The pungy schooner Lady Maryland, educational flagship of the Living Classrooms Foundation, has been sailing the waters of the Chesapeake Bay for the past 40+ years and has participated in nearly every Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. During the Race, students aboard Lady Maryland work side by side with the crew to stand watch, navigate, steer and handle sail. This year we look forward to sailing the race with students from Baltimore City College HS.

During the school year, Lady Maryland can be found on the Patapsco River running day-sail programs with students from a variety of backgrounds and economic means. During our Maritime Environmental STEM Voyages, students work together to trawl for marine life, perform scientific experiments and explore the commerce, history, natural resources, and ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay. During the summer, Lady Maryland takes students on extended voyages, sometimes venturing as far north as Massachusetts.

Welcome to the 2026 Virtual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race!

While normal sailboat racing happens on the water, this race is completely online. Each participating schooner has teamed up with a nonprofit partner, and is racing to raise as much money as possible for their charity. YOU can participate in the race by choosing a schooner, making a contribution, and sharing this webpage with your family and friends!  90% of gifts will go directly to the charity of your choice. The other 10% will help the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race achieve its mission to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay’s heritage; to encourage preservation of the Bay’s resources; to support Chesapeake Bay education and clean-up efforts; to bring historic schooners to the Bay; and to encourage schooner sailing and preservation. 

Please take a moment to learn more about our schooners and the organizations they support. At the start of the race, please come back here to make a donation and support your team!

Donation links will be available from 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 12 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 15. 

Thank you for supporting our schooner community!

Please note:  GCBSR will only share your contact information with the charity you donated to.