Family Friendly Trips
The following are trips from all of the other catagories, including Nature/Misc, that offer special pricing for kids/families.
Tuesday November 9, 2010 Trips
Alligator River Refuge Canoe Tour (New) (Family Friendly) (A)
Take a canoe tour through the cypress creeks of Alligator River National Wildlife
Refuge. This trip is filled with local history and an abundance of wildlife including Great Blue Herons, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Bald Eagles, as well as Black Bear, Red Wolves and assorted turtles. Buffalo City Road boat access. Cost $35; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 9 am-Noon. Abbey Reibel, refuge staff.
Wednesday November 10, 2010 Trips
Scuppernong River Canoe Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
What is a pocosin? Why is the water in the Scuppernong River black? Why should
these areas be protected? What benefits do pocosins have to people? Bring the family along to answer these questions and explore the fascinating ecology of unique pocosin wetlands and riverine systems with a paddle trip up the Scuppernong River. Learn about the migratory birds and other wildlife species that occur here. Identify pocosin plants and understand how man’s land use history has contributed to present-day conditions. Learn about the special adaptations the flora and fauna have evolved to survive in these habitats and potential threats that could lead to their demise. Possible wildlife sightings would include raptors, passerines, wood ducks, woodpeckers, river otters, beavers, and if temperatures are warm enough a variety of turtles and other reptile species. Walter B. Jones, Sr. Center for the Sounds. Cost $35; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 9 am-Noon. Wendy
Stanton, refuge biologist.
Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
Start with a compelling telling of the story of the Station - the scene of the most highly awarded maritime rescue in US history! Learn about its part in the United States Life-Saving Service (est. 1871) which would later help form the United States Coast Guard in 1915. In that 44-year history, these men responded to 178,741 shipwreck victims, saving 177,286! Then listen to Site Operations Manager Linda Molloy tell the exciting story of her role in the movie Nights in Rodanthe.The movie house is half a mile north of Chicamacomico! End the trip with a self-guided tour of site which includes lifesaving stations, outbuildings, and a two-story 1907 periodfurnished home, filled with artifacts, exhibits,
displays, videos, programs and demonstrations. Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station. Cost: adults $10, children 12 and under $5. Noon-2 pm. James Charlet, Linda Molloy.
Visit http://www.chicamacomico.net/ for more information on the Station.
Lost Colony History Kayak Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Join us on this unique kayak tour as we paddle the north end of Roanoke Island
following in the footsteps of the Lost Colony. Paddle along the shore and then land as the colonists did and explore on foot. We’ll be joined by interpreters who will share the lifestyle of the colony as they lived it. William B Umstead Memorial Bridge (Manns Harbor Bridge), Manteo side, north parking lot. Cost $35; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. Noon-3 pm.
Outdoors Inn, Pam Malec Landrum.
Red Wolf Howling Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Ride into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in the refuge’s open-air tram to “howl up” the wolves. Learn about endangered and elusive red wolves and hopefully experience the opportunity of a lifetime to hear their harmonious howls. Flashlights helpful but not necessary. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 5-7 pm. Refuge
staff.
Thursday November 11, 2010 Trips
Tracking Wildlife on Creef Cut Trail (Family Friendly) (A)
Can you figure out what wildlife use this trail? Clues are everywhere but what does the evidence tell us? Discover why tracking is important to scientists as well as others. This leisurely stroll and activity is designed for the young and young at heart! Learn how to track wildlife in your own backyard. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 10-11:30 am. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Alligator River Refuge Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Enjoy the beauty of the Refuge from the open-air tram! Sit back and enjoy the ride with your hands free to take fantastic photographs or gaze at wildlife up close through binoculars. Enjoy a lively narrative about the natural history of the refuge and hear fascinating stories of past and present uses of the land. Find out if there really were buffalo in Buffalo City. Discover techniques used to manage the mosaic of habitats for native wildlife. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 12:30-3:30 pm. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Bodie Island Marshes Kayak Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Kayak one of the lesser explored paddling areas. Explore the marshes looking for the wide variety of birds and marine life found here. Paddle by a traditional “gun” club and an abandoned oyster packing plant and the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Hear about the rich cultural history of these marshes and how the use of the Punt Gun changed our environment to this day. This trip is great for photography. Bodie Island visitor center south parking lot. Cost $35; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 1-3 pm. Outdoors Inn, Pam Malec Landrum.
Big Tree Hike (Family Friendly)
Come join the Park director for a hike through Pettigrew Sate Park’s virgin forest. Learn about the Park’s champion trees that include several with diameters between six and 10 feet. Observe remnants from 2003’s Hurricane Isabel. Some hiking will be off the trail. Pettigrew State Park office. Moderate. FREE. 2-4 pm. Doug LeQuire.
Refuge at Night Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly) (A)
After a brief overview of the refuge, climb aboard the refuge’s open-air tram and take in all the sights and sounds of the night! Experience the beauty of the area as the sun sets and darkness falls upon the land. This trip is a rare opportunity to visit Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge after it closes at night using spotlights to watch for deer, bear, birds and other wildlife. Join expert naturalists for an experience not to be forgotten. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 4-7 pm. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Friday November 12, 2010 Trips
Birding North Pond by Tram (New) (Family Friendly)
For those who always wanted to explore the far side of North Pond, but were not
able to go there, this new WOW trip is for you. Have a seat and save your feet! Climb aboard the refuge open-air tram and slowly transported trip around the North Pond at Pea Island. From the comfort of a seat, hear and see the wildlife and observe some spots not normally visited on this four-mile service road. Please be prepared for a variety of temperatures and the possibility of biting insects on this tour. Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 10 am-Noon. Neal Moore, Ron Marchand.
Pea Island Refuge Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Climb aboard the refuge open-air tram and join refuge manager Mike Bryant as you are taken around the North Pond Trail at Pea Island. Find out what it takes to keep the refuge running smoothly. Learn why Pea Island attracts not only thousands of human visitors each year but also thousands of birds and other wildlife. Please be prepared for a variety of temperatures and the possibility of biting insects on this tour. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Pea Island Visitor Center. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 1-3 pm. Refuge Manager Mike Bryant.
Frisco Native American Museum Tour and Program
Imagine ... a moment in far distant time, when the earliest humans first saw birds either on land or in the air. The awesome mystery of their graceful flight and unique magic made it quite easy for natives to consider birds as spiritual connections to daily life and death. Join the director of the Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center for a tour of the museum. Discover the beauty of native art in an interactive “Bird Hunt” to locate special uses of bird feathers in museum exhibits (prizes for the keenest observers!). Discover how birds represent the intimate relationship natives have developed with the natural world and attempt a mini flight of your own in a special “Human Flying Lesson!” Frisco Native American Museum. Cost: adults $10, children 12 and under $5. 2-4 pm. Carl and Joyce Bornfriend.
Visit http://www.nativeamericanmuseum.org/ for more information on the Museum.
Hummingbird Banding (Family Friendly) (A)
A licensed bander will demonstrate techniques for capturing and banding hummingbirds. The program also will provide useful tips on attracting hummingbirds. The group will visit a Manteo residence that hosts numerous hummingbirds throughout the year. If possible, bring a folding chair. NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island parking lot. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 2-4 pm. Susan Campbell.
Saturday November 13, 2010 Trips
Tracking Wildlife on Creef Cut Trail (Family Friendly) (B)
Can you figure out what wildlife use this trail? Clues are everywhere but what does the evidence tell us? Discover why tracking is important to scientists as well as others. This leisurely stroll and activity is designed for the young and young at heart! Learn how to track wildlife in your own backyard. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 10-11:30 am. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Maritime Forest Family Kayak Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Parents and children welcome to come paddle the calm, shallow waters of Maritime Forest. A perfect time of year to see birds, turtles, deer, and the beautiful fall foliage though one of five deciduous Maritime Forests of the world. This two-hour paddle includes a paddle lesson, guided tour with a naturalist, and double kayaks to fit up to two children and one adult. Kitty Hawk Kayaks. Cost $35; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 10 am-Noon. Kitty Hawk Kayaks.
Introduction to Digital Nature Photography for Children at Island Farm (New) (Family Friendly)
Led by a professional wildlife photographer, this program will teach children how to take successful photographs of animals and scenes on an historic farm. Established in 1783 by Jessie Etheridge, this living-history farm has historic buildings and grazing livestock that will provide unique photographic opportunities. All cameras welcome. Island Farm. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. Paying for this trip grants you free admission for The Island Farm on Roanoke Island trip from 2-4 pm.
Noon-2 pm. Lori Cash.
Wild Times at Cape Hatteras Secondary School (Family Friendly)
Join students and faculty for this FREE event especially for children. Learn about
the programs the students are doing in partnership with the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society and other local organizations. See what’s inside an owl pellet, build a bird nesting box, and participate in other fun activities! Cape Hatteras Secondary School. FREE. No registration required. Noon-5:30 pm. Linda Austin.
Hummingbird Banding (Family Friendly) (B)
A licensed bander will demonstrate techniques for capturing and banding hummingbirds. The program also will provide useful tips on attracting hummingbirds. The group will visit a Manteo residence that hosts numerous hummingbirds throughout the year. If possible, bring a folding chair. NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island parking lot. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 2-4 pm. Susan Campbell.
The Island Farm on Roanoke Island (Family Friendly)
The Island Farm was established in 1783 by Jesse Etheridge, and his grandson built the restored two-story house around 1850 using hewn and pit-sawn timbers and bricks believed to be from ship’s ballast. Come stroll the grounds - view grazing sheep and preserved outbuildings and stop at stations that recreate the vibrant life of the 1850’s from hearth cooking where you can try your hand at making a cornmeal Johnny cake, to children’s toys and games where you can give the games the Etheridge children played a try, like Hunt the Slipper, England and France, plus many others. Island Farm. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. Paying for this trip grants free admission to Introduction to Digital Nature Photography for Children trip from noon to 2 pm. 2-4 pm. Island Farm site managers.
Visit http://www.currituckbeachlight.com/islandfarm/ for more information about the Farm.
Introduction to Digital Nature Photography at Sunset (Family Friendly)
This program at North Pond Trail on Pea Island will give participants a chance to learn basic techniques of digital nature photography while exploring and
photographing the diverse scenery, birds, flora and the sunset. Led by a professional nature photographer, participants will be introduced to the digital camera including basic techniques and tips on how to see the nature around them through the camera’s eye. All cameras welcome. Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 3 pm to sunset (5:30 pm). Lori Cash.
After a brief overview of the refuge, climb aboard the refuge’s open-air tram and take in all the sights and sounds of the night! Experience the beauty of the area as the sun sets and darkness falls upon the land. This trip is a rare opportunity to visit Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge after it closes at night using spotlights to watch for deer, bear, birds and other wildlife. Join expert naturalists for an experience not to be forgotten. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 4-7 pm. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Sunday November 14, 2010 Trips
Possible traffic delays related to the running of the obx marathon.
Introduction to Digital Nature Photography on the Beach (Family Friendly)
This program at the beach on Pea Island will give participants a chance to learn basic techniques of digital nature photography while exploring and photographing the diverse scenery, birds and flora. Led by a professional nature photographer,
participants will be introduced to the digital camera including basic techniques
and tips on how to see the nature around them through the camera’s eye. All cameras welcome. Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 8-10 am. Lori Cash.
Alligator River Refuge Canoe Tour (New) (Family Friendly) (B)
Take a canoe tour through the cypress creeks of Alligator River National Wildlife
Refuge. This trip is filled with local history and an abundance of wildlife including Great Blue Herons, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Bald Eagles, as well as Black Bear, Red Wolves and assorted turtles. Buffalo City Road boat access. Cost $35; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 9 am-Noon. Abbey Reibel, refuge staff.
