Whether a pirate, Civil War sailor, or archaeologist, the banks of the Cape Fear River are the place to be this summer! Programming is designed for vacationers as well as locals, with one-day, two-day, and one-week programs.
Discover life on the sea through history. The Lower Cape Fear is filled with adventure! Learn about creatures below and how they live. Take a boat ride and understand our environment. Walk along the banks and hold the past in your hands. There are programs for all ages and all interests.
June
Children’s Summer Series
June 17, Little Explorers: 2-3 p.m.
Get ready for a fun activity with your child. ‘Little Explorers’ is a low tide river exploration class designed specifically for children ages 4-6. Take a pail and walk down the Cape Fear discovering the history and natural environment of our region. Classroom time includes a story and identifying your treasures. Wear shoes and clothes that can get wet. $3.20/child. Ages 4–6 with adult. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
June 19, Nautical Girls I: Mermaids, Sirens, & Other Ladies of the Water: 10 a.m.-noon
Mermaids, Sirens, and Lorelei are all mythical women of the water. Learn about the ladies of the sea in mythology and literature. Create your own story of an independent water sprite and create a craft to take home. $5.34/child. Ages 6-10. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
June 24, Little Pirates!: 2-3 p.m.
Welcome Aboard ye little swashbucklers! Bring your captain to the museum and hear a pirate’s tale, create a pirate flag and walk the plank like a bad buccaneer! $5.34/child. Ages 4-6 with adult. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
June 25-26, Colonial Days: 10 a.m.-noon
Two-day class. Meet costumed Colonial characters of the Lower Cape Fear while candle dipping, creating flags, and learning about everyday activities for kids. Participants will be outside an hour both days and should wear sunscreen and clothing that can get stained or messy.
$16.01/child. Ages: 7-11. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
June 30 – July 3, The Patriotic Series: 2-3 p.m.
Series of four classes.
Join the Museum as we celebrate 4th of July festival week with a one – hour program each day focusing on Americana! Enjoy learning the past through hands – on activities. Each class will have a different and independent theme so kids can attend one or all four!
June 30, Candle Dipping & Stenciling
July 1, Colonial Games
July 2, Colonial Caps & Tricorn Hats
July 3, Fly your stars & stripes
$5.34/child/per class. Ages 6-10. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
July
(Prices include 6.75% sales tax)
June 30-July 3, The Patriotic Series: 2-3 p.m. (See June 30)
July 8, Squishy Fishes: 2-3 p.m.
This class is full of colorful, creative fun! Working along with your child, participants will learn about Gyotaku and make their own fish prints on textiles. This is a very messy activity. Please dress accordingly. $5.34/child. Ages 4–6 with adult. Must pre-register.
July 9-10, Pirate’s Life!: 10 a.m.-noon
Two day class. Arrrggh, you scurvy dogs! This two day pirate camp is filled to the crow’s nest with fun. Learn about the pirates who plied the coast of North Carolina. Discover your pirate name, design a pirate ship and create your own flag. $10.68/child. Ages 7 – 10. Must pre-register.
July 15, Little Explorers: 2-3 p.m. (See June 17)
July 14, Shrimp & Shrimping: 9 a.m.-noon SOLD OUT
Participants will take a trip on the working shrimp boat, Cape Point and trawl for sea life. Learn how to cook, peel, and eat shrimp. All children must wear skid resistant, closed toe shoes, clothes they can get wet, bring a bottle of water, and apply sunscreen before class. Participants must provide their own life jacket and meet at the dock at the Yacht Basin. $21.35/child. Ages 8-12. Must pre-register.
July 16, Nautical Girls II: Women Pirates Who Plied the Seas: 10 a.m.-noon
Who said women can’t be pirates? Meet Anne Boney, Mary Reid, and Ireland’s Queen of Pirates Grace O’Malley. $5.34/child. Ages 6-10. Must pre-register.
July 17, Fish Prints: 10 a.m.-noon
Gyotaku, a Japanese word meaning fish impression. Children will create fish prints using real and faux fish on natural fibers. Participants will decorate a T-shirt of their very own to take home. $10.68/child. Ages 7 – 11. Must pre-register.
July 22, Little Pirates!: 2-3 p.m.
(See June 24)
July 23, The Exciting Life of Sea Turtles!: 10 a.m.-noon
Join our guest instructor Donna Michaux and learn about our loveable ocean dwelling friend and what you can do to help protect baby sea turtles.
$5.34/child. Ages 6-12. Must pre-register.
July 24, Maritime Myth & Legend: 10 a.m.-noon
We will discuss constellations, what they mean in context to ancient Greece and Rome, explore giant sea monsters and how different cultures feared them, as well as read nautical inspired stories and poetry! $5.34/child. Ages 8–12. Must pre-register.
July 29, Let’s Grow: 2-3 p.m.
What did people grow by the water a long time ago? Bring an adult and learn about the museum’s Victory and Native American gardens. Each child will plant a seed in a creative container to take home. $3.20/child. Ages 4–6 with adult. Must pre-register.
July 30-31, Run the Blockade: 10 a.m.-noon
Two-day class: Welcome aboard! Participants will learn about blockaders and blockade runners, spies, and daring maritime Civil War events. Make Ironclad models, create a spy cipher and decode secret messages. $16.01/child. Ages 7-11. Must pre-register.
August
Children’s Summer Series
August 5, Squishy Fishes: 2-3 p.m.
Back by popular demand and redesigned for younger campers, this class is full of colorful, creative fun! Working along with your child, participants will learn about Gyotaku and make their own fish prints on textiles. This is a very messy activity. Please dress accordingly.
$5.34/child. Ages 4–6 with adult. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
August 6-7, Pirate’s Life!: 10 a.m.-noon
Two day class
Arrrggh, you scurvy dogs! This two day pirate camp is filled to the crow’s nest with fun. Learn about the pirates who plied the coast of North Carolina. Discover your pirate name, design a pirate ship and create your own flag.
$10.68/child. Ages 7 – 10. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
August 12, Sail Away!: 8-10 a.m. SOLD OUT
Come sail away aboard The Endless Summer. Participants will learn nautical terminology and parts of a sailing vessel. Onboard a 38 foot sloop, students will work to furl the sails, pull the ropes, and assist Captain Jim Carey as they sail in the Lower Cape Fear! Campers must bring their own life jacket and wear skid resistant shoes – NO black soles. No Flip-Flops. Bring water and a snack and apply sunscreen before class. Meet at Southport Marina.
$21.35/child. Ages 9-12. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
August 13, Native Americans: 10 a.m.-noon
What did Native Americans on the coast of North Carolina eat? Where did they live and how did they travel? Walk to the Indian Trail Tree, believed to be utilized by Eastern Woodland Native Americans, and learn about the Cape Fear Indians. Participants will write their own origin stories and create pottery. $16.01/child. Ages 7-11.
August 14, Fish Print: 10 a.m.-noon
Gyotaku, a Japanese word meaning fish impression, solves the age old problem of fish tales. This fish will not get larger as the story is retold! Children will learn how to create fish prints using real and faux fish on natural fibers such as paper and fabric. Participants will decorate a T-shirt of their very own to take home. Dress for mess as this program will be slimy and colorful!
$10.68/child. Ages 7-11. Space is limited. Must pre-register.
