2026 302 Tour Blog
6/11/2026
Saturday, June 13
The final day of the tour started bright and early as the Fightin’ Blue Hens departed the hotel at 6:50 a.m. to head over to The Starboard for the fifth-annual Chicken Chase 5k and One Mile Fun Run. The student-athletes and staff cheered on runners, handed out waters, and gave out medals to the finishers of the 5k before chowing down on The Starboard’s famous wings!
Next up was some time at the beach where the crew picked up some trash and then played games and enjoyed the water and sun at Lewes Beach.
After lunch at the hotel and a quick chance to recharge, the Hens made their way to the Lewes Ferry Terminal to jump on a boat with Cape Water Tours to check out the light houses and do some dolphin watching. There were a bunch of dolphins in the area, including a mom and her calf. The two-hour adventure ended back at the dock and the team made its way to Grain on the Rocks for the 302 Tour Reception.
Fans, alums, and Hen lovers alike came together for an outdoor party with live music, great food, and games to conclude the tour.
From there, the cohort stopped at the beach for a special bonfire for the student-athletes and staff. Everyone made s’mores, listened to music, and played cornhole to wrap up a successful fourth-annual 302 Tour!
Saturday's experience was filled with unforgettable and valuable experiences including networking and connecting with alumni, beach clean up community service, and bonding with fellow student-athletes ending with a beach bonfire. I will be forever grateful to have had the experience to see Delaware through a lens I would have never seen before and highly recommend if any student-athlete has the opportunity to join in their career to take it!Calista Collins, women's soccer
Friday, June 12
The crew kicked off the day with trip a down to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus to learn about all of the behind the scenes aspects of a hospital. The first part of the visit was a tour around campus to see all of the inter workings that make the hospital run - HVAC, electrical, power generators, and so on! To meet guidelines, the hospital needs to be self sufficient for 96 hours so the power and electrical infrastructure is always tested. The Hens even got to go on the helipad where patients are transported. The second part of the visit included making tray cards to help motivate patients and kids activities bags for when children are at the hospital with their loved ones. Three therapy dogs, Rosie, Finn, and Honey, joined the group to teach the cohort about the therapy dog program. The hospital sees about 100,000 patients a year through a variety of treatment programs.
After some fun at the hospital, the tour grabbed lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings in Dover to refuel before the rest of the day!
Recharged, the Fightin’ Blue Hens made way to Killens Pond for a quartet of activities - nature walks, kayaking, amphibian education, and pool time! The trip was made possible by sponsor Visit Delaware. The crew learned about snakes, frogs, and turtles and cooled off in the hot summer sun.
A quick break at the hotel came next before the Hens made the ride up to Funland on the boardwalk for some rides and games. A ton of stuffed ducks later, the team left victorious!
While visiting Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus this morning I was able to learn about the behind-the-scenes work it takes to keep a hospital up and running which is very valuable to me as I am wanting to go into healthcare. This visit gave me a greater appreciation for all the people and departments that contribute to patient care. I’m excited to network and gain more experience with Bayhealth. We had an amazing lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and refueled for Killen's Pond! Exploring one of Delaware’s beautiful state parks was a highlight of the day. From kayaking and reptile shows to bonding with fellow student-athletes, it was an unforgettable experience. We ended the night by winning stuffed animals, going on rides, and, of course, a sweet treat. So very grateful to be a part of the 302 Tour this year and help out in my own community! Thank you to the sponsors because none of this could have happened without you! Roll Hens ????Taylor Holly, volleyball
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Day one of the fourth-annual tour started off with community service at the Community Education Building in Wilmington, presented by Saul Ewing. The Fightin’ Blue Hens helped around the building and in the community by cleaning the library, restocking the pantry, and picking up trash around the building.
After two hours of lending a hand, the Hens hit up the waterfront for some mini golf and lunch provided by Surf Bagel.
A few holes in one later, the crew got on the bus and got ready to see Pea Patch Island and Fort Delaware. A quick ferry ride to the island and the cohort was taking in the sites of the former Civil War prison. The team learned that the compound was never fired upon and served as the second-largest city in the State of Delaware. It was also the largest hospital in the region outside of Philadelphia. The staff at the fort fired off a stationary gun to give the tour a chance to see how heavy artillery worked during the Civil War.
After a quick break to rest and recharge, it was time for field day presented by Bank of America. A pool party, field games, and bounce houses were packed with community members at the free event. Dinner was served from Grotto’s Pizza with slices and chicken fingers to go around.
Day 1 is always so special on the 302 Tour! Not only was I able to meet other student-athletes that I don’t typically cross paths with during our seasons, but I was also able to experience new stops and learn more about the state. The activity that I was a part of at the Community Education Building really stood out to myself and my teammate, Sara. We worked on restocking the shelves within their food market and saw some of the lunch packs that we create each year as a team at the Food Bank. It was truly full circle and so inspiring to see how our work is impactful towards the community. All the stops were so interesting, and of course, ending the day with our annual field day is always a blast! Jumping in the bounce-houses with kids from around the community was so memorable and reminded me what this journey and tour is all about- connectivity and having fun!Mackenzie Owens, track & field
