Predator vs. Prey Summer Camp: Box Turtle

Each day summer campers interact with an animal and learn about that particular animal's relationship with either it's predator or it's prey.

On day 2, the theme is "Herbivores". Campers learned about box turtles and the relationship box turtles have with their "prey" which is often fruit, vegetables, crickets and worms.

In their own words, campers describe their favorite predator-prey interaction:

"Box turtles and fruit, vegetables and crickets." -Angel
"Box turtle - crickets and leaves." -Alyssa
"A box turtle [because] they eat worms." -Skyla
"The box turtle because it was so cute to see its eyes." -Sophia
"The box turtle [was my favorite predator-prey interaction]." -Skeets

Predator Vs. Prey Summer Camp: Relationships

For the next two weeks, summer campers will learn how tough life in the animal world is. Campers are learning about animal relationships and interactions. In the animal world, you must eat or be eaten.

In their own words, campers name their favorite predator/prey relationship they've learned so far.

"My favorite predator relationship would be cows and grass." -Alexia
"Megalodons and giant squid." -Katy
"Yellow stingray and its prey [which] is fish." -Michael K.
"My favorite predator is a turtle. Turtles eat jelly fish." -Laura
"Blue heron and fish." -Sam
"My favorite predator and prey are killer whales and sea lions/seals." -Kelly
"My favorite predators are wolves. They eat deer and other wild animals." -Sydney
"Lions and zebras!" -A.J.T.
"Manta-ray and crill." -Dakota
"Deer who eat plants. I love deer and plants." -Campbell

Animal Keepers Summer Camp: Private Dive Show

As this week's summer camp sessions wrap up, campers were thrilled to get a chance to see their very own PRIVATE dive show. Behind the scenes, summer campers saw how the divers prepare the for the show and interact with animals in the Cape Fear Shoals tank. During the show, campers "talked"  with divers while they were in the water.

For many campers, this was one of their favorite activities of the week. In their own words, campers explain why they enjoyed the dive show.

"[My favorite activity was] watching the fish. I liked seeing people dive in the water with them." -Kailei
"Seeing our own private dive show [was my favorite activity] because it was interesting." -Madison
"I liked seeing the dive show because it was our very own!" -Anna
"I liked seeing the diver because all the fish were like really close to him." -Parker
"I liked seeing the scuba divers because we got to go to the very top [of the tank]." -Madison

Animal Keepers Summer Camp: Favorite Animals

Summer campers learn what it takes to be an Aquarium animal keeper during this week's session with activities like animal feeding, tank cleaning, water changing and food preparation.

Campers are granted a chance to get up-close and personal with many of the animals in the Aquarium's care.  In their own words, campers describe their favorite animal they cared for this week.

"The jelly fish because they had to be cared for in a way I didn't know." -Madison

"Today, we cared for jelly fish. I thought it was interesting how they move without a brain!" -Anna

"I cared for the invertebrates [and] cleaned their tanks." -Parker

"I liked the porcupine fish the best because he's really cute and playful. I got to feed him!" -India

"The porcupine fish [was my favorite] because they didn't eat as much and they were more patient." -Sara

"I liked caring for the puffer fish because I like them." -Kassi

One of the campers' favorites, a porcupine fish.

Animal Keepers Summer Camp: I Learned...

Animal Keepers summer campers continue to learn what it takes to care for many of the animals at the Aquarium.

From changing water to making carbon, these campers are experiencing all sorts of hands-on animal care that shows them just a little of how hard our aquarists work everyday.

In their own words campers describe something they learned this week.

"I changed water in a Q-15. [Which was] for a sea star." -Quinn
"I made carbon." -Blake
"My favorite animals were the salt marsh fish like mullets and lookdowns because I got to check the PH and saline [levels]."-Kelly
"We didn't care for a particular fish, but changed water for a whole tank." -Christopher
"We made carbon for the moon jellies. I liked it because we were helping." -Helena
"Today we tested salinity and PH [levels]." -Lilly

Extreme Animals Summer Camp: Wilson the Wood Duck

As Extreme Animals summer campers learn about animals that adapt and survive, they learned about wood ducks. Unlike other ducks, wood ducks nest in trees to survive.

Wilson, one of the Aquarium's wood duck pair, visited summer campers today. In their own words, campers  explain why meeting Wilson was their favorite activity.

"Encountering Wilson the wood duck because it was funny when he pooped on the floor. (He was stressed about getting his picture taken.)" -Kelsey
"My favorite activity today was meeting Wilson a wood duck because he is like a mallard." -Jessica
"My favorite activity was seeing Wilson the duck because he is intense." -Will
"My favorite thing today was Wilson the wood duck because I learned cool things like they molt their feathers." -Reagan

Extreme Animals Summer Camp: Beach Day

A summer camp session at the Aquarium just wouldn't be complete without a trip (or 2) to the beach! Lucky for our campers, the beach is only a few steps away. Learning about local animals is a lot more fun when you  add a little sun and surf!

In their own words, campers explain why going to the beach was their favorite activity.

"My favorite activity today was going to the beach because it was fun!" - Mary
"My favorite activity was the beach because I got to play in the water and I got to play with Abby!" -Avery
"My favorite activity today was going to the beach because we got to out to the sandbar." -Kelly
"Going to the beach [was my favorite activity] because we got to go to the sandbar." -Lauren
"The beach [was my favorite activity] because it felt good to be in the waves." -Abigail
"I enjoyed going to the beach today because there was a sandbar." -Devann
"My favorite activity today was going to the beach because it was cool to look a the turtle nest and play in the water." -Lara
"The beach [was my favorite activity] because I got to hang out in the water." -Austin
"My favorite activity was  going to the beach and making shirts. The beach was fun because there was a drop-off and we floated over the waves." -Abby

Extreme Animals Summer Camp: Favorite Animals

This week's summer camp session is all about extreme animals. Campers learn who can swim the fastest, jump the farthest and climb the highest in the animal kingdom.


The campers describe their favorite extreme animal encounter from today in their own words:


"I liked the unexpected encounter with the rat snake." - Devann
"A penguin because they are Antarctic animals and they are so pretty and careful with their families." - Lauren
"My favorite extreme animal from today was the eel because they look cool and seem cool." - Lara
"My favorite extreme animal we talked about today was the penguin because of the environment that they live in." - Kelly
"My favorite extreme animal was polar bears because they are cute and they have a lot to do in life." - Avery
"A sea turtle because I think it's cool that they live in water but they are reptiles and breathe air." - Abigail

A green sea turtle.

Wildlife Rescuers Summer Camp: Crabbing

As campers learned how to protect and preserve wildlife they ventured out in the wild to check out some of the coolest animals around...CRABS!

In their own words, campers describe why they enjoyed crabbing.

"Catching fiddler crabs [was my favorite activity] because it was fun!" -Alex
"Going to the Rocky Outcrop because I caught a lot of awesome sea creatures." -Jaclynn
"Going to the cove and catching crabs [was my favorite activity]." -Kaden
"Going to the Rocky Outcrop because I caught a crab." -Davis

Here are some photos from campers who went crabbing in the salt marsh during the week.

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher announces creative summer camp sessions

Are you wondering what your kids are going to do for the summer? The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher has a great idea: summer camp!

Aquarium summer camps provide fun and safe learning opportunities with knowledgeable and experienced leadership. Camps run simultaneously for ages 5-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Ages 5-6, known as Aquanauts, become immersed in weekly topics through animal interaction, play, storytelling, crafts, and hands on outdoor activities. Ages 7-9, Marine Detectives, use their investigative skills in animal programs, outdoor excursions, and interactive games to better understand new concepts. Ages 10-12, Ocean Explorers, participate with staff in experiences outdoors, and behind the scenes at the Aquarium, to discover each weekly topic. Ages 13-14, Coastal Crusaders, venture farther to explore different coastal environments, such as black water swamps. These campers also interact more directly with staff behind the scenes to assist with animal care.

Summer camp dates are: Circle of Life- June 21-25 and June 28-July 2. Junior Naturalist- July 5-9 and July 12-16. Sensational Senses- July 19-23 and July 26-30. Animal Keepers- August 2-6 and August 9-13. Coastal Crusaders- June 28- July 2, July 19-23 and August 2-6.

The summer camp fee for Aquanauts, Marine Detectives, and Ocean Explorers are $200 for individual campers and $180 for NCA Society members or multiple-siblings. The fee for Coastal Crusaders is $250 for individual campers and $225 for NCA Society members or multiple-siblings. Registration forms available online at www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher. For more information please contact the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher at 910-458-7468.

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located just south of Kure Beach, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, on U.S. 421. The site is less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s days). Admission: $8 Ages 13-61, $7 Ages 62 and up, $6 Ages 3-12, Free for children 2 and under, NC Aquarium Society members and pre-registered North Carolina school groups. General information: www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher.

Summer heats up at the Aquarium

June is National Zoo and Aquarium month. Come celebrate at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher! This month long recognition focuses on helping people learn how to preserve America’s wildlife. Summer is an excellent time to visit your local zoo or aquarium, as well as their websites and blogs.

What’s new at the Aquarium at Fort Fisher? Luna, a rare albino alligator has a new home at the Aquarium. She is growing daily, and loves her new found fame. Also new on display are Amazon milk frogs, which are a large species of arboreal frog that was originally discovered in Brazil, and is mainly found in South America. Check them out in the exotic Dart Frog exhibit.

The Aquarium is an economical attraction for the whole family. A family membership is only $50, which includes free admission to all three state Aquariums, NC Zoo and over one hundred other zoos and aquariums all over the county throughout the year. Other benefits include a free subscription to the award-winning Aquarium News magazine and 10% discounts on Aquarium gift shop items. The Aquarium offers countless fee-based educational programs members can attend at a discounted price. Most importantly, becoming a member helps support the commitment to high standards of exhibits, exciting educational experiences and valuable conservation programs. Regular ticket prices are adults: $8, seniors: $7, children: ages 6-17: $6, and 5 and under: FREE.

An extra effort the Aquarium has taken to help educate people on how to preserve the environment is by creating the Aquarium’s blog entitled Waterlogged. Waterlogged focuses on environmental issues and events, as well as animal news and events occurring at the Aquarium. The blog is updated weekly to keep information fresh and interesting. Visit the blog at http://www.ncaquarium.blogspot.com/.

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located just south of Kure Beach, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, on U.S. 421. The site is less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). Admission: $8 adults; $7 seniors; $6 ages 6-17. Free admission for: children under 6; registered groups of N.C. school children, and NC Aquarium Society members. General information: www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher.

Spend the Summer with Us

Do you love the ocean? Are you interested in teaching others about the amazing creatures that live along the North Carolina coast? If so, then volunteer at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Volunteers are vital to the operation of all of the Aquarium's programs. From helping to teach the public to assisting with plant or animal care to diving in to clean an exhibit, we simply could not do it without them.

We look for people who are reliable, enthusiastic, and eager to learn and teach others about marine habitats. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. A junior volunteer program is available for teens age 15-17; a great way to spend the summer!

Opportunities are available in Education, Horticulture, Certified Diving, and Aquariology. For more information, please click here.