Explore the habitats that sea turtles use on the North Carolina coast. This course will offer opportunities for participants to learn about sea turtles while being immersed in a coastal ecosystem. Join beach patrols to monitor turtle nests, learn about barrier island ecology, and help monitor coastal habitats. Explore sea turtle anatomy through a necropsy demonstration. Learn about Aquarium conservation projects with sea turtles and participate in hands-on activities. Return home with new experiences and field research skills to share with your classroom or organization. Earn continuing education credits while renewing your own love of learning! 

The daily schedule includes talks with local experts, field experiences, and activities inspiring connections to sea turtles and the coastal habitat they need to survive.  

Eligible participants: This course is open to formal and nonformal educators, including pre-service teachers and administrators. CEU and NCEE credits are available.

Activity Level: Moderate to rigorous. Activities include, but are not limited to hiking on uneven terrain and in the sand, walking through behind-the-scenes areas in the Aquarium, and helping excavate sea turtle nests. This course includes late nights and early mornings. 

Cost: $325 
Cost of course includes lodging, meals, entrance fees, activities and equipment, instruction and related materials, and transportation. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.

Location: Participants meet for start of course at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area at 2:00 p.m. on July 28. The course will take place in various locations in and around the Aquarium and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Lodging for participants will be single rooms with shared bathrooms in the National Guard lodgings at the Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area. Breakfasts and lunches will be provided by Shark Bites and dinners will be out at various locations on the island. The course includes long days and a lot of time spent outdoors.

If you have not already completed the registration form online please complete it now before you proceed with your payment: Registration Form

For additional workshop information contact Gail Lemiec at gail.lemiec@ncaquariums.com. For assistance with registration please contact the registrar at 910-772-0542.

Wildlife Rescuers

Campers are on a mission to save the animals, and the environment we share!  Whether it's protecting water, wildlife, or the environment in general, campers will learn steps to care for and conserve wildlife and wild places, and why it's so important. Lessons focus on threatened animals and local and global actions taken to protect them.  We will reduce, reuse, and recycle throughout this camp.

Dates: June 16-20 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), June 23-27 (FULL-ACCEPTING WAIT LIST)

Animal Keepers

How do we feed 2,000 animals? What does it take to keep a 235,000-gallon aquarium clean? How do we ensure good welfare and help our animal residents thrive? Campers learn about the daily care and maintenance of aquarium animals. By helping prepare food, clean exhibits, and create animal enrichment, campers get a glimpse of the work required to provide proper animal care. 

Dates: July 7-11 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), July 14-18 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST)

Extreme Ecosystems                                                                                                               

Ever wonder how a penguin can survive in -58°F or how a camel lives in 120°F heat? Discover how animals thrive in complete darkness 36,000 ft. below in the deep sea and 125 ft. above in the treetops of the rainforest. Campers will learn about these extraordinary ecosystems and how local animals compare to their extreme relatives.                                                      

Dates: July 21-25 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), July 28-August 1 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), August 4-8 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST)

Summer Camp Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm        

$295.00 Non-Members
$265.50 Members

Wildlife Rescuers

Campers are on a mission to save the animals, and the environment we share!  Whether it's protecting water, wildlife, or the environment in general, campers will learn steps to care for and conserve wildlife and wild places, and why it's so important. Lessons focus on threatened animals and local and global actions taken to protect them.  We will reduce, reuse, and recycle throughout this camp.

Dates: June 16-20 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST) , June 23-27 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST)

Animal Keepers

How do we feed 2,000 animals? What does it take to keep a 235,000-gallon aquarium clean? How do we ensure good welfare and help our animal residents thrive? Campers learn about the daily care and maintenance of aquarium animals. By helping prepare food, clean exhibits, and create animal enrichment, campers get a glimpse of the work required to provide proper animal care. 

Dates: July 7-11 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), July 14-18 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST)

Extreme Ecosystems                                                                                                               

Ever wonder how a penguin can survive in -58°F or how a camel lives in 120°F heat? Discover how animals thrive in complete darkness 36,000 ft. below in the deep sea and 125 ft. above in the treetops of the rainforest. Campers will learn about these extraordinary ecosystems and how local animals compare to their extreme relatives.                                                      

Dates: July 21-25 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), July 28-August 1 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), August 4-8 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST)

Summer Camp Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm    

$295.00 Non-Members

$265.50 Members

Dates: June 16-20 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), July 7-11 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST), July 28-August 1 (FULL - ACCEPTING WAIT LIST)

Summer Camp Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

$350.00 Non-Members
$315.00 Members