Booking

Summer Camps

2026 Summer Camps 

Registration Opens March 30, 2026

 




Online Camp Registration:

Please note that your summer camp spot is not secure until you click Accept and complete your transaction.  Adding a camp to your basket does not automatically reserve your spot in camp.

Camp Cancellation Policy:

Camp registration has a 50% non-refundable processing fee per camp. If you cancel your child's reservation at least two weeks before the day of camp, you will receive a 50% refund per camp. There are no refunds within the two weeks prior to the first day of camp. Camps are cancelled 1 week prior to the start time of camp, if we do not reach minimum number. Participants will receive a full refund for any program cancelled by the Aquarium.

Age Policy:

Campers must be at the age stated in each camp program description, at the start time of camp. Please check to make sure your child is signed up for the appropriate age-level camps. We cannot make exceptions. Falsified registrations will be cancelled and the registration fee will be refunded minus the 50% processing fee per camp.  

Plunge into our Summer Camps!

Please check back frequently on our website for potential additional summer camp sessions.

Click on the calendar to use the Day Planner to see programs and activities
available on any given day.
Day Planner
For more program information, contact 252-475-2332 and to register, use the links below. If you have any registration questions, please contact the Group Liaison at jennifer.thomas@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2314.  

2026 Summer Camp Scholarships:

With the support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, a limited number of scholarships will be available for week-long and single-day camps, June-August, based on grant criteria. *Application period opens at 9am on March 2, 2026 and close at 5pm on March 23, 2026. Click on the link to apply: https://forms.gle/9uqHqn34wXmHKKQX8

Half-Day, Week-Long Camps

Sea Squirts Camp

What relationship does a sea turtle and barnacle have? How do clownfish live in stingy anemones? What does a baby jellyfish look like? Why does a hermit crab change shells? Uncover unique ocean animal partnerships, learn about animal body parts and ocean animal life cycles, uncover amazing animal adaptations, and explore their lives in the big blue sea. Campers will investigate a diversity of “sea squirt” critters each day through fun-filled activities, interactive play, and crafts, all the while finding out ways to help protect the sea and ocean wildlife. 

Ages 6-8 

Campers must bring sunscreen, a hat, closed toe shoes, and a bag lunch for the week of camp. Booster seat for shuttle, if required. Additional snacks will be provided.

*$20 Shuttle Service option is provided to and from Whalebone Park, mornings and afternoons (except Monday AM & Friday PM), with returned completed paperwork*

July 6-10, 2026

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 1:00pm

$220 per Child
$198 for NC Aquarium Members

Duration 5 Days

Full-Day, Week-Long Camps

Junior Shell-ebrate Turtles Summer Camp

Scutes, carapace, and beaks, oh my! Come SHELL-ebrate turtles and all their amazing characteristics and adaptations! Is there such a thing as a chicken turtle? Discover the diversity of turtles by observing some of our turtle ambassador animals. Learn which turtles live on land, in water and both! Uncover the secret lives of sea turtles and how stranded sea turtles are cared for at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center. Visit the Operation Sea Turtle Rescue exhibit and take part in a simulation to rescue, care for, and release a “stranded” sea turtle. Get ready for a week full of turtle-tastic crafts, hands-on discovery games, and more to make turtle promises on ways to help protect them! 

Ages: 8-9 

Campers must wear closed toe shoes, and bring a bag lunch each day.  Booster seat for shuttle and field trip days, if required.  Additional snacks are provided.

*$20 Shuttle Service option is provided to and from Whalebone Park, mornings and afternoons (except Monday AM & Friday PM), with returned completed paperwork*

July 27-31, 2026

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 3:30pm

$275.00 per Camper
$247.50 for NC Aquarium Society Members

Duration 5 Days

Junior Aquarist Summer Camp

How do you train a turtle? What do you do to keep a river otter’s mind active? Ever wondered what it would be like to work along-side fish and sea turtles? Become an honorary junior aquarist and get a beginner’s look at what it means to be an aquarist at the Aquarium. This camp is perfect for animal lovers who want to learn more about aquarium animal care with diet prep, animal enrichment/training sessions, habitat maintenance, and more! This camp provides behind-the-scenes experiences, hands-on aquarist tasks, STEAM-based activities, visits with animal ambassadors, and interactive exploration of the Aquarium’s amazing animal habitats.

Ages: 10-11

Campers must bring sunscreen, a hat, closed toe shoes, and a bag lunch for the week of camp. Additional snacks will be provided.

*Optional $20 Shuttle Service is provided to and from Whalebone Park, mornings and afternoons (except Monday AM & Friday PM), with returned completed paperwork*

June 15-19, 2026  

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332    

Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 3:30pm 

$275.00 per Camper
$247.50 for NC Aquarium Society Members

Duration 5 Days

Junior Fisherman's Camp

How do you talk to fish? You drop a line! Join us at the aquarium and learn all about fish body parts and adaptations, identify fish species native to NC, learn about fishing gear, follow fishing regulations, and discover a waterman’s view on our Soundside Pier. Campers will enjoy outdoor fishing and crabbing, take part in a fish dissection, and engage in interactive fish-themed activities, crafts and games. Tag along with a local marine scientist to learn how she teams up with seafood harvesters to keep seafood on your plate – now and into the future – and enjoy a fishy snack prepared by a local chef. This camp is perfect for any young angler starting to learn basic knot-tying and fishing gear. Get ready for a reel good time! 

Ages: 10-11

Campers must bring sunscreen, a hat, necessary field attire, closed toe shoes, and a bag lunch for the week of camp. Additional snacks will be provided.

*$20 Shuttle Service option is provided to and from Whalebone Park mornings and afternoons (except Monday AM & Friday PM)* 

July 20-24, 2026 

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 3:30pm 


$300 per Camper
$270 for NC Aquarium Society Members

Duration 5 Days

Aquarist Camp

Are you thinking about a career in marine science and conservation? Meet some amazing aquarist professionals in this growing field and join them behind the scenes on the job to see what it takes to care for aquatic and terrestrial animals in an aquarium. Campers will learn about NC native animal species living in the aquarium, understand and prepare animal diets, investigate and test water quality, and learn about different life support systems. Experience animal enrichment and training first-hand that provides good animal well-being. Roll up your sleeves and prepare to dive into the role of an aquarist!   

Ages: 12-13

Campers must bring sunscreen, a hat, closed toe shoes, and a bag lunch for the week of camp. Additional snacks will be provided.

*$20 Shuttle Service option is provided to and from Whalebone Park, mornings and afternoons (except Monday AM & Friday PM), with returned completed paperwork

July 13-17, 2026  

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

Monday through Friday, 9:00am- 3:30pm

$275 per Camper
$247.50 for NC Aquarium Society Members

Duration 5 Days

Single-Day, Day Camps

Little Fish Frys Day Camp (Ages 6-8)

What has scales, slime, fins and gills?? FISH! Explore the many colors, shapes and sizes of fish at the aquarium. Campers will learn all about the body parts of a fish, what habitats they live in, their life cycle and more! Drop a line in the Croatan sound and fish for some croakers, pinfish and spot. Take part in some fishy activities, crafts, and a fish hunt through the aquarium. Reel in the fun and join us for this fish-tastic camp!

Ages 6-8  Campers must wear closed toe shoes and bring a bag lunch for the day.  Additional snacks are provided. 

Monday, June 8th   9am-4pm    If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

*Shuttle Service is not available

$65 per Child
$58.50 for NC Aquarium Members

Duration 7 Hours

Sea Turtle Hatchlings Day Camp (Ages 6-8)

Discover the world of sea turtles and their hatchlings by spending a day at the Aquarium. Learn about the 5 types of sea turtle species along our coast, label turtle body parts, "swim" through the life cycle of a sea turtle, and take part in more turtle-tastic activities! Campers will also make cool turtle crafts, play sea turtle games, discover turtles during Aquarium time, and visit the S.T.A.R. Center. Most importantly, campers will learn ways to help protect these species and their habitats.  

Ages 6-8

Campers must wear closed toe shoes and bring a bag lunch for the day.  Additional snacks are provided. 

Friday, June 12th   9am-4pm  

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

*Shuttle Service is not available* 

$65 per Child
$58.50 for NC Aquarium Members

Duration 7 Hours

SENSEational Sharks! Day Camp (Ages 6-8)

Do you think that sharks are scary or awesome? How many senses do sharks have? Come spend a day learning some cool shark facts and debunking shark myths. Discover some shark relatives, such as skates and stingrays. Search for some shark teeth in the fossil pit, chomp into some ocean snacks, play silly shark games, and make sharky crafts. Check out some local shark species in the Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit, observe the stingrays get fed in the touch pool, and learn ways to help protect sharks and their habitats. 
Ages 6-8   Campers must wear closed toe shoes and bring a bag lunch for the day.  Additional snacks are provided. 
Friday, July 3rd   9am-4pm  If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  
*Shuttle Service is not available* 
$65 per Child
$58.50 for NC Aquarium Members

Duration 7 Hours

Coastal Trotters Day Camp (Ages 9-12)

Explore Outer Banks coastal ecosystems that local animals and plants call home! Campers will journey from dynamic beaches to salt marshes as they explore different coastal habitats during local field trips. Activities may include seining for fish, digging for mole crabs, discovering items washed ashore on the beach, line fishing for blue crabs, and more! Campers will also enjoy some Aquarium time and encounter ambassador animals. Come spend a day discovering coastal environments and learn the many ways to help protect them!

Ages 9-12

Campers must bring sunscreen, a hat, closed toe shoes, and a bag lunch for the day.  Additional snacks will be provided.

If we encounter inclement weather, we will switch to our indoor "Animal Science" Day Camp 

*Shuttle Service is not available* 

Tuesday, June 9th     9am-4pm   

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

$65 per Child
$58.50 for NC Aquarium Members

Duration 7 Hours

Junior Aquarist Day Camp (Ages 9-12)

Calling all young aquarium keepers!  Learn what it takes to care for some of the animals and to work behind the scenes at the Aquarium. Activities include behind-the-scenes experiences, ambassador animal encounters, food prep for some animal habitats, a squid dissection, animal enrichment design, and more. Be prepared to spend time in our aquarium “kitchens” and get a little fishy! 

Ages 9-12

Campers must bring sunscreen, a hat, closed toe shoes, and a bag lunch for the day.  Additional snacks will be provided.

*Shuttle Service is not available* 

Wednesday, June 10th     9am-4pm  

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

$65 per Child
$58.50 for NC Aquarium Members

Duration 7 Hours

Rompin' Reptiles Day Camp (Ages 9-12)

Skinks, turtles, and lizards, oh my! Come investigate some of our radical reptiles here at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Campers will observe some reptiles in their habitats, learn what it means to be a scaly reptilian animal, explore predator vs. prey relationships, engineer crafts, and get to prepare food for some of these cold-blooded creatures.

Ages 9-12

Campers must bring sunscreen, a hat, closed toe shoes, and a bag lunch for the day.  Additional snacks will be provided.

*Shuttle Service is not available* 

Thursday, June 11th   9am-4pm    

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

$65 per Child
$58.50 for NC Aquarium Members

Duration 7 Hours

Fisherman's Day Camp (Ages 9-12)

Enjoy an exciting day on our Soundside Pier fishing for Atlantic croaker, pinfish, spot, blue crabs, and other brackish water fish. Gain core knowledge of basic fishing equipment, learn about species size limits, practice the art of Japanese fish printing “Gyotaku” to learn fish characteristics and anatomy, practice casting, and go fishing twice this day.

Ages 9-12

Campers must bring sunscreen, hat, closed toe shoes and a bag lunch for the day.  Additional snacks will be provided.

If we encounter inclement weather, we will offer indoor fish-themed activities

*Shuttle Service is not available* 

Thursday, July 2nd     9am-4pm 

If camp is FULL, to be put on online waitlist, click on camp and select waitlist button. Questions? Contact dana.thomason@ncaquariums.com or 252-475-2332  

$65 per Child
$58.50 for NC Aquarium Members

Duration 7 Hours