Holiday Fun for the Kids at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
s quickly approaching. Whether you are living here or vacationing on the Crystal Coast this holiday season, you might be looking for something fun for the kids since they're out of school. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores makes for a great day trip any time of year, but this month offers up some extra special activities and education with the NC Aquarium's Holiday Day Camps. The camps are targeted for children in grades 2-5 and provide a wonderful opportunity for some winter fun (and learning, too).Camps are divided by grade levels and offer a variety of programs. Camp-goers enjoy outdoor activities, discovery labs, crafts, behind-the-scenes action and more. Holiday camps meet December 26 and 27. Campers can register for one or both days.
Aquatic Adventurers for Grades 2-3 runs from 8a.m. – 12:30p.m. each day. Coastal Explorers for Grades 4-5 runs from 1p.m. to 5:30p.m. each day. The fee is $35 per camper, per day; $31.50 for members. Space is limited and advance registration and payment are required.
School holidays in early 2014 also offer opportunities for young campers. Animal Enrichment Camp for Grades 3-6 meets 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. on Monday, January 20. Participants learn about the science of animal enrichment as they help aquarists prepare enrichment items and see how the animals react. Other behind-the-scenes action, crafts and animal encounters add to the excitement.
Sea Turtle Rescue Camp for Grades 3-6 on February 17 gives campers
hands-on opportunities to work with the aquarium’s sea turtle rescue
team. Campers learn how the aquarium cares for wea
k and injured baby sea
turtles that hatch along the coast every summer and fall, and also for
cold-stunned sea turtles that strand in winter. Camp meets 8:30a.m. –
12:30p.m.
Animal Enrichment and Sea Turtle Rescue Camps are $35 per camper, $31.50 for members. Space is limited. Advance registration and payment are required.
If you're interested, don't delay. Camps fill up fast, but they do offer a standby list. For regular admission, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is open 9a.m. to 5p.m. daily but is closed Christmas day.
We hope you have holiday plans here on the Crystal Coast. If so, let us know where you'll be and what you plan to do. We'd love to hear about your holiday adventures. Our comment section is open 24/7. Happy holidays!
Photo Credit: North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.