We hope you will have a nice visit to Jefferson Island (also called St. Catherine's Island), our special island retreat in St. Mary’s County, Maryland in the lower Potomac River. The facilities on the Island are rustic, not cushy, and it is like being at a cabin in the woods – just the basic necessities and creature comforts. Here are some tips:

The Clubhouse has a dining room, living room, bar, kitchen, card/TV room, and screened in porch overlooking the river. There are nine sleeping rooms, all with a double and single bed, shower, toilet, and sink; the Presidential Suite also has a tub and parlor with pullout couch. The kitchen has plates, glasses, utensils, pots, pans, etc., but there are no stores on the Island, so bring everything else you need (i.e., ice, butter, drinks, coffee, charcoal).

Sheets and bath towels are provided, and the rooms have ceiling fans, but no air conditioning; the breeze off the Potomac usually keeps things cool at night. The water is pure and soft, from the Club’s own well. There is hot water for showers, but it may take a while to get to the rooms, and only a limited amount, so be considerate of your neighbors.

Electricity for lights is provided by a generator on the Island, but there is no “juice from the mainland.” There are no telephones, so we recommend bringing a cellular phone and keeping it charged at the Island for emergency. A boat is left at the Island, too. There are plenty of trails and beaches for nature walks. The pool is filled with filtered River water, and provides great refreshment on hot days. Please bring your own beach towels. You will need sun block, maybe bug spray, and a flashlight wouldn’t hurt, too.

The arts of friendliness and the outdoors are the daily fare; you may want to bring a football, softball and mitts, practice with a nine iron, paddle a canoe, or bring your shotguns and skeet for some practice shooting, or some fishing poles. The blackberries are ripe in mid July, as well. We have set up a bonfire pit at the south end of the Clubhouse by the seawall, for sitting and singing after the sun goes down (you have to find your own driftwood, and bring marshmallows).

There are a variety of flora and fauna; bayberry, blackberry, pine, and anise, with deer, fox, and many birds, such as ducks, geese, gulls, heron, osprey. You will be alone with them and nature; please be safe and enjoy yourself.