Turn your child’s winter breaks into unforgettable adventures with day camps at the Aquarium. The Aquarium offers two camps – Aquatic Adventurers Dec. 29-31 for children in grades 2 and 3, and Coastal Explorers Jan. 19-21 for children in grades 4 and 5. Camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. daily.
Campers meet members of the Aquarium dive team, help Aquarists with animal care and experience close encounters with baby sea turtles, alligators, snakes and other aquatic animals during exclusive behind-the-scenes action. Other hands-on activities include discovery labs and crafts. Outdoors, participants explore the surrounding maritime forest, marsh and Bogue Sound.
Advance registration is required, and space is limited. The camps cost $100 per child; 10 percent discount for Aquarium membership. To register, call 247-4003.
Aquarium Honors Volunteers
The Aquarium recently singled out six volunteers for outstanding contributions to the Aquarium’s education and conservation mission.
Ann Lenweaver of Atlantic Beach received the “Distinguished Volunteer Service Award” for 2008 at the annual volunteer appreciation dinner. The “2008 Order of the Octopus Award” was given to Kay Lewis of Beaufort and Kay Howe of Pine Knoll Shores for their dedicated service in a variety of volunteer positions. Peggy and Milton Langston of New Bern received the “2008 Order of the Spadefish Award” for excellence in customer service. The “2008 You Rock Junior Volunteer Award” was given to Megan Roberts of Climax.
The dinner and awards ceremony paid tribute to more than 150 volunteers who lend their time, services and enthusiasm to the Aquarium’s daily operations.
Focus on the North Carolina Aquariums Photo Competition
If you like to take photos, picture this: Your pastime could win you $500 in the 2008 North Carolina Aquariums’ Underwater Photo Contest.
You don’t even have to get wet. The Aquatic Life in the North Carolina Aquariums category features the diverse aquatic life represented at the three state Aquariums – at Fort Fisher, at Pine Knoll Shores and on Roanoke Island.
The newest creatures to appear at the Aquarium are like fish out of water.
In the “Fresh Catch Sculpture” art exhibit, 50 ceramic fish, sea horses, a stingray and a sea turtle “swim” along the Aquarium wall just off the Tidal Waters gallery. The Piedmont gallery also features a school of earthen aquatic life, crafted by Rosemary and Alan Bennett.
“I’m hoping that having 3-D fish in the space with the viewers will make them feel like they’re in the water with the fish,” said Rosemary Bennett.
Sea turtles from the Aquarium can now travel at 55 miles per hour without even moving a flipper. A new, custom-designed Outreach vehicle makes it possible for the Aquarium to hit the road in style, with more live animals and educational tools than ever.
Aquarium Outreach takes hands-on educational programs on the road to schools, groups and special events. Click here for more.
Track the sea turtles!
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores recently released two loggerhead sea turtles with satellite transmitters attached to their shells.
Order “Take-Out” from the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Now available -- aquatic adventures to go. The North Carolina Aquarium’s Outreach programs bring fun, hands-on, educational activities to community groups and classrooms.
The programs engage the audience with live animals, props and other interactive educational tools.
A wide selection of enriching and entertaining presentations appeal to all ages. Classroom programs meet North Carolina Standard Course of Study science requirements for various grade levels. Presentations can be tailored to specific needs.
