From the mountain trails to the receding tides, agencies in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources offer summer camps that are informative and fun. Click the links below to jump to the camps for a particular area of the state.
Camps in Eastern N.C. | Camps in the Piedmont | Camps in Western N.C.
East
Roanoke Island Festival Park
All camps for ages 7-13 and meet on Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. Fee of $20. Registration not required, inadequate participants leads to cancellation.
One Festival Park, Manteo, NC 27954 252-475-1500
June 14. A Soldier’s Life. Learn about the soldiers who came to Roanoke Island by exploring the park’s Settlement Site. Participate in a military drill and make a buckler shield to take home.
June 21. A Sailor’s Life. Live the life of a 16th sailor and learn the history and parts of the Elizabeth II by participating in capstan and sail drills, learning how to tie knots and making your own Tudor family flag.
June 28. An American Indian’s Life. Discover the life of the North Carolina Algonquian Indians on Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks by exploring the park’s American Indian Town exhibit. Make your own corn husk dolls and baskets to take home.
July 5. Living by the Sea: Crabbing. Study the crabbing industry in the park’s Adventure Museum and try crabbing off a section of the Roanoke Island Festival Park Boardwalk.
July 12. The Underwater World of Oyster Reefs. Learn about the oyster industry by exploring the park’s Adventure Museum and examining the plants and animals living in oyster bags.
July 19. Pirates. Explore the truths and myths of pirates by participating in a treasure hunt with a real compass, making paper pirate hats and flags to take home and getting pirate tattoos with skin safe face paint.
July 26. Creating a Watercolor Painting. Try your talents with watercolors. Paint plants and animals at Roanoke Island Festival Park and also the longhouses and other structures in the American Indian Town exhibit.
August 2. Creating a 16th Century Print. Exercise your talents in making copper plate and printing block engravings (historically used to create publications for mass production) of plants and animals of your own design to take home.
August 9. American Indian Crafts. Study traditional and contemporary American Indian crafts and create pottery and gourd ornaments to take home.
August 16. Water and the Environment. Discover the importance of wetland environments and methods to decrease the amount of water pollution. Join in a game of Environmental Clue and learn how pollution can affect the environment.
August 23. The Outer Banks Sounds. Examine the animal and plant life in the sounds by creating your own wetland environment from things found at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Participate in a food chain game to see how animals are related to each other.
Historic Bath.
207 Carteret St. Bath, NC 27808 252-923-3971
July 12 & 13. Past Times Day Camp. Children ages 5-10 will play roles as both wealthy and working class children through simulated chores and activities. Limited to 20. Fee of $20 for food and supplies. Registration at 252-923-3971 or
bath@ncdcr.gov.
Tryon Palace
One week History Summer Day Camp classes on various subjects for grades 3-5, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
610 Pollock St. New Bern, NC 28562 252-639-3500
June 18- 22. Colonial Days. Campers will explore how colonists lived with hands-on activities including cooking demonstrations, dress-up games, natural history activities and more. Fee of $90/$60 for Council of Friends. Registration at 252-639-3524 by June 4.
July 23-27. Civil War Days. Campers will see how life changed for families as the Civil War approached and will participate in hands-on activities, crafts, re-enactments and more. Fee of $90/$60 for Council of Friends. Registration at 252-639-3524 by July 9.
August 6-10. North Carolina Days. Campers who did not attend other summer camps experience North Carolina from its days as a colony through the Civil War with hands-on activities, crafts, re-enactments and more. Fee of $90/$60 for Council of Friends. Registration at 252-639-3524 by July 23.
N.C. Maritime Museum-Beaufort
Offering various classes for various ages in the Summer Science School for Children.
315 Front St. Beaufort, NC 28516 252-728-7317
June 11, July 9, July 30. Preschool Story Time and Crafts. Includes a story, estuarine critter observation and a craft. 9-10 a.m. Registration required. Free. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
June 14 & 15, July 26 & 27. Seashore Life. Students entering grades 1 and 2 will investigate marine life with focus on adaptations and the food chain of the coastal flats, salt marshes, and sounds. Classes include ferry ride, barrier island hiking, and animal identification. 9 a.m.-noon. Fee of $50. Registration required. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
June 12 & 13. Pirates. Students entering grades 1 and 2 explore the life of pirates at work, play, and in battle through hands-on activities. 9 a.m.-noon. Fee of $50. Registration required. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
June 21 & 22. Fish & Fishing. Introduction to coastal fish and fishing methods for students entering grades 3 and 4 with cane poles, bait and tackle for dock fishing, and a research vessel trip with trawl and dredge to identify more marine life. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee of $65. Registration required. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
June 18-20. Boats & Models. Students entering grades 3 and 4 will build a model fishing boat at the museum’s Watercraft Center, and use exhibits to take field trips to learn about coastal waterways, local boats and skills needed to work around the water. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee of $85. Registration required. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
July 23-23. Art & Nature. Students entering grades 5 and 6 use field observation skills to integrate art and the environment, learn sketching techniques, and explore different media in studio and in the field. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee of $165. Registration required. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
July 30-August 1. Coastal Conservation Fellows. Students entering grades 7-10 train with local field biologists studying flora and fauna, and will learn data collection methods and how habitat conservation decisions are made. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fee of $75. Registration required. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
July 18-20. Searching for Blackbeard. Students entering grades 7-10 will investigate historic and geographic aspects of Blackbeard’s piracy legends in North Carolina, visit important sites and learn professional field techniques. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee of $100. Registration required. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
June 25-July 6, July 9-20. Coastal Adventures. This two week course for students entering grades 3-6 offers field exploration and coastal activities mornings and a supervised lunch. Students may enroll in the afternoon Junior Sailing Program for a full day (requires separate application). 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee of $220. Registration required. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
Two week sessions. Junior Sailing. June 11-22, June 25-July 6, July 9-20, July 23-August 3, August 6-12 (one week Regatta). Students at least 8 years old take a morning or afternoon class and must be able to swim and meet other requirements. Classes on the International Optimist Dinghy, Flying Junior, or Sunfish vessels. Fee of $235. Plan for 2013, this summer sessions are full. Call 252-728-7317 for information.
N.C. Maritime Museum-Southport
Children’s Summer Series offers various classes of different durations for different ages. Space is limited.
204 E. Moore St. Southport, NC 28461 910-457-0003.
June 19 - June 22. Pirate Boot Camp. Shiver your timbers! Learn about pirate food, flags and fashion from an experienced buccaneer during this four-day class. Don’t walk the plank before the Pirate Party at the end of class! 10 a.m. – noon. $35 members/$45 non-members. Ages 6 - 12. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003
June 27. Kids on Deck! River Boat Tour aboard the Solomon T. Climb aboard and experience the Cape Fear River firsthand! Learn the history of the river while you spot and count birds and conduct science experiments. Be prepared to get wet! 10 a.m. - noon. Fee of $10. Ages 8 - 12. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
June 28. Low Tide River Exploration. Get the “lowdown” from the water’s edge! Search for shells and sea glass while learning about Southport and shipwrecks. Make sure to wear clothes and shoes that can get messy! 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Free. Ages 4 - 6, with adult. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
June 28. Low Tide River Exploration. You’re “shore” to have fun here! See what’s happening at the river’s edge on this adventure. Soak up stories of ships, shells, pottery shards and Southport. Be prepared for mud and crud! Free. Ages 7 - 12. 11 a.m. - noon. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
June 29. Sea Biscuit. Spend the morning with the birds at the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter on Oak Island. Learn about what the shelter offers injured and orphaned birds, as well as what you can do to help! Hear about best birding practices and how to deal with an injured bird. 10 a.m. – noon. $3 per child. Ages: 6 - 11. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
July 5 - 6. Revolutionary Days. Turn off the TV, put away the iPad and step back in time to the Revolutionary Days! Young Revolutionaries learn about candle dipping, infantry drills colonial games, and a way of life before electricity and cars. 10 a.m. – noon. $10 per child. Ages: 7 - 11. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
July 10 - July 13. Sailor’s Camp. Sign on with the crew of a sailing ship and decide to join the blockade or try to sail through it with a blockade runner! Students build a fortification, paint a model ship, learn and use nautical knots, and discover maritime life of the 19th century sailor. Camp ends with a special Sailor Celebration! 10 a.m. – noon. $35 members/$45 non-members. Ages 7 - 11. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
July 18. Kids on Deck! River Boat Tour aboard the Solomon T. Climb aboard with Captain Bert Felton and experience the Cape Fear River firsthand! Learn the history of the river while you spot and count birds and conduct science experiments. Be prepared to get wet! 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 8 - 12. Space is limited to 5 children. Registration of $10 required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
Digging Into History.
July 19 – 20. Grab your tools and become a history detective! This two-day class introduces students to the archaeology in their own backyards! Get your hands dirty as you dig for artifacts and learn how archaeologists find the history behind forgotten objects. 10 a.m. – noon. $6 per child. Ages 7 - 11. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
July 25. Kids on Deck! River Boat Tour aboard the Solomon T. Climb aboard and experience the Cape Fear River firsthand! Learn the history of the river while you spot and count birds and conduct science experiments. Be prepared to get wet! 10 a.m. - noon $10. Ages 8 - 12. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
July 26. The Exciting Life of Sea Turtles! Spend a morning becoming a serious student of the strange and wonderful sea turtle! Learn about turtles in the wild and near home and how we can help protect them with a sea turtle expert. 10 a.m. - noon $3 per child. Ages 6 - 12. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
July 27. Low Tide River Exploration. Get the “lowdown” from the water’s edge! Search for shells and sea glass while learning about Southport and shipwrecks. Make sure to wear clothes and shoes that can get messy! 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Free. Ages 4 - 6, with adult. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
July 2. Low Tide River Exploration. You’re “shore” to have fun here! See what’s happening at the river’s edge on this adventure. Soak up stories of ships, shells, pottery shards and Southport with your instructor. Be prepared for mud and crud! 11 a.m. – noon. Free. Ages 7 - 11. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
August 1. Kids on Deck! River Boat Tour aboard the Solomon T. Climb aboard and experience the Cape Fear River firsthand! Learn the history of the river while you spot and count birds and conduct science experiments. Be prepared to get wet! 10 a.m. - noon. $10 per child. Ages 8 - 12. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
August 2. Shrimp & Shrimping. What’s so special about shrimp? Learn why generations of Southport fishermen have built their lives and livelihoods around this little creature. Build a model trawler; learn how to catch shrimp and what to do once you’ve got’em! $10 per child. Ages 8 - 12. 10 a.m. – noon. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
August 3. Fish Prints. Cut your “fish tales” down to size with this class on fish prints. Gyotaku is a Japanese word meaning fish impression, and it captures the true size and shape of your fishing catch, scales and all! Children use real fish to create fish prints on paper and tee-shirts. Dress for mess as this program can get slimy and colorful! 10 a.m. – noon. $10 per child. Ages 7 - 11. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
August 8. Native American Series. Discover the home life of Eastern Woodland Native Americans! Create your own miniature long-house while you explore where and how the original inhabitants of the Cape Fear lived. 10 a.m. – noon. $5 fee. Ages 7 - 12. Space is limited. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
August 9. Native American Series. Could you survive without fast food? Learn how Native Americans on the coast of North Carolina did just that by exploring what they are and how they used their leftovers. Create pots from oyster shells, learn about oysters, fish and the “Three Sisters’ Garden.” Participants make arrow heads to take home! 10 a.m. – noon. $5 fee. Ages 7 - 12. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
August 10. Low Tide River Exploration. Get the “lowdown” from the water’s edge! Search for shells and sea glass while learning about Southport and shipwrecks. Make sure to wear clothes and shoes that can get messy! 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Free. Ages 4 - 6, with parent or guardian. Must pre-register. Details: (910 457-0003.
August 10. Low Tide River Exploration. You’re “shore” to have fun here! See what’s happening at the river’s edge on this adventure. Soak up stories of ships, shells, pottery shards, and Southport with your instructor. Be prepared for mud and crud! 11:00 a.m. – noon. Free. Ages 7 - 11. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
August 15. Kids on Deck! River Boat Tour aboard the Solomon T. Climb aboard with Captain Bert Felton and experience the Cape Fear River firsthand! Learn the history of the river while you spot and count birds and conduct science experiments. Be prepared to get wet! 10 a.m. – noon. $10 fee. Ages 8 - 12. Space is limited to 5 children. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
August 16 – 17. Revolutionary Days. Turn off the TV, put away the iPad and step back in time to the Revolutionary Days! Young Revolutionaries learn about candle dipping, infantry drills, colonial games, and a way of life before electricity, cell phones and cars. Don’t worry, we won’t make you walk all the way home! 10 a.m. – noon. $10 fee. Ages: 6 - 11. Registration required. Details: (910) 457-0003.
Piedmont
Museum of the Cape Fear
June 18-22. History Ranger Academy: The War of 1812. Campers ages 9-12 will participate in activities that lift history from the page, including rope making, knot tying, laying out an actual size Star Spangled Banner using craft paper, and more. 9 a.m.-noon. Fee of $25. Registration required. Call 910-486-1330.
801 Arsenal Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28305. 910-486-1330
N.C. Museum of History
One week summer camps, 8:30-noon or 1-4:30 p.m. Fee of $90/$80 History Associates members. Information and registration at
http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/summercamp2012/index.html
5 East Edenton St. Raleigh, NC 27601
July 9-13. Mountain Life. Learn about the people and traditions of North Carolina’s mountain communities and how to play a Cherokee game, make apple tart, or do a Scottish Dance. Completed grades K-2. 1-4:30 p.m.
July 30-August 3. Through the Seasons. Life and activities in North Carolina often have evolved around the seasons, and students will make a spring hat, churn butter, create a snow glob, and more. Completed grades K-2. 8:30 a.m.-noon.
June 25-29. Colonial North Carolina. Get a taste of what life was like on the eve of the American Revolution. Listen to stories, play a game, learn a trade and more. Completed grades 3-5. 8:30 a.m.-noon.
June 25-29. They Got Game. Find out about the start of March Madness, what rounders have to do with baseball, and early versions of your favorite team sport. Completed grades 3-5. 1-4:30 p.m.
July 16-20. Farm to Factory. Learn why many workers switched from farm to factory work. Visit a farm, play mill games, and learn about technology in both settings today. Completed grades 3-5. 1-4:30 p.m.
August 6-10. The Fabulous 1950s. Find out what capitalism, communism and the cold war have in common, or the copy machine, Corvettes, plastic Coke bottles, and more things that made the 50s fabulous. Completed grades 6-8. 8:30 a.m.-noon.
August 6-10. History Training Shop. Go behind the scenes at the museum and learn how to present a gallery cart and make your own exhibit. 1-4:30 p.m.
West
President James K. Polk State Historic Site
One day long camps for students ages 8-12. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $35. Registration required.
12031 Lancaster Highway Pineville, NC 28134 704-889-7145
July 23. Be the President For a Day Camp. Children will learn about the electoral process and the Polk Campaign of 1844! Participants will nominate their choice for President and hold a mock election filled with speeches, campaign posters, and slogans! Lunch is provided.
July 30. Mecklenburg County Settlers Camp. Experience life as an early Mecklenburg County pioneer. Participants will learn about the early days of settlement in North Carolina. They will try their hand at land surveying, panning for gold, building a portion of a log cabin, and help prepare lunch over a campfire.
August 6. Young Artisans Camp. Let your creative side take charge and learn about various artistic mediums common during the 19th century. The President James K. Polk site will partner with the Cultural & Civic Arts Center of Pineville to allow campers to create their own pottery, learn about period music, try their hand at quill writing, design their own tin punch decoration, learn about the art of blacksmithing, and much more.