Beach Explorations

Discover all the various types of animals that call the intertidal zone their home. You will work with a pier educator to learn about the different animals that live under the sand, on top of the sand, and in the surf right around the pier. Learn where this zone is located, why it is important, and the different types in North Carolina. Get ready for an adventure digging for mole crabs and coquina shells, birding, throwing cast nets and pulling seine nets to find fish, and shell hunting.
Offered: Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until noon
Cost: $10 (minimum class size 5)
Ages: 6 and up

Join the pier staff to explore the power of the wind. Discover the importance of wind energy; how wind turbines work, what are the best locations to maximize energy output, and how to measure wind speed and direction. In this program you will learn how to collect wind data using anemometers and create your own “mini-turbine”. You will also research and investigate how scientists determine how shorelines change over time. You will get the chance to “map” the shoreline and explore dynamic ocean processes, such as, long shore currents, wave heights, wave periods, and learn how these factors can impact the North Carolina Outer Banks, a fragile barrier island.

Offered: Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: $10 (minimum class size 5)
Ages: 8 and up
Ages: 8 and up

Plankton Investigations

In this program you will work with pier educators to learn how to use scientific instruments and discover the microscopic organisms that are vital to the marine food chain. You will have the chance to collect plankton and identify different species under the microscope. You will also gather water samples by dropping collecting tubs over the side of the pier. Once the tubes are retrieved water salinity, pH, turbidity and temperature will be tested.

Offered: Monday and Wednesday from 1 until 3 p.m.
Cost: $10 (minimum class size 5)
Ages: 6 and up

Basic Training

In this program you will learn the basic skills necessary to land your first fish. Topics covered in the program will include; species that are commonly found around the pier, a lesson on fish identification, how to cast and tie your rigs, catch and release techniques, and fishing regulations.

Offered: Monday-Friday from 9 until 11 a.m.
Cost: $10 (minimum class size 4)
Ages: 8 and up

Offered: Tuesday and Thursday from 3 until 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person ($5 five and under; minimum class size 4)
All ages

Marine Crafts, Story Time and Puppet Tales

Bring the little ones to enjoy arts and crafts, children’s stories and to learn about animals in the marine ecosystem.
Offered: Tuesday and Thursday from 10 until 11 a.m.
Saturday from 11:10 a.m. until12:30 p.m.
Cost: $3 per child
All ages

Little Anglers

Bring the little anglers in your life to the pier to learn the basics of fishing. They will learn to cast safely without using hooks. They will learn to fish by using casting plugs and “fishing” for plastic replicas of fish that anglers catch on and around the pier.
Offered: Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. until noon and Saturday from 10 until 11 a.m.
Cost: $5 per person
All ages

Mom and Dad come and spend an evening on the pier learning about the night sky, while the kids are with a pier educator exploring nocturnal behaviors of aquatic and terrestrial animals.
Offered: June 29 8 until 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person
All ages