Summer 2011

The programs listed below will be offered from May 25th through September 24th. Additional programs may be offered. Check at the Visitor Center for a complete schedule. Programs will run on schedule unless there is inclement weather. For more information on these and other program offerings call (252) 728-2250.

DAILY PROGRAMS

Cape Lookout Lighthouse Area

Lighting the Way (15 minutes)

Program times are: 11:00 am, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM Program is offered beginning March 31st through November 20th.

Meet on the porch of the Assistant Keepers' Quarters next to the lighthouse.

Come learn the history of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the life of a lighthouse keeper from a park volunteer Keeper.

Discovery Cart (30 minutes)

Program starts at: 12:30 pm. Offered Wednesday though Sunday, May 25th – September 24th. Offered daily June 27th – August 8th.

Meet at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock. 

Come and discover what lies beneath the waters of Cape Lookout National Seashore at our Discovery Cart. Learn about horseshoe crabs, loggerhead sea turtles, sea urchins, sharks, whales, shells, and the creatures that live within them, and much more!

Seashore Treasure ID (15 minutes)

Program starts at: 2:00 pm. Offered daily May 25th – September 30th.

Meet at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock. 

What is it? Is it still alive? How did it get here? Bring your beach treasures and discover the answers to these questions and more! Our knowledgeable staff will be available during this time with field guides, magnifying glasses, and other materials to help you.

Life of a Keeper (30 minutes)

Program starts at: 3:00 pm. Offered Wednesday though Sunday, May 25th – September 24th. Offered daily June 27th – August 9th.  

Meet at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock. 

Lighthouse Keepers were dedicated men and women who kept the light burning through fair weather and hurricanes. Come discover how they, and their families, managed to keep the light burning. 

Harkers Island Visitor Center

Ribbon of Sand (Film) (26 minutes)

Program offered daily upon request.

This award-winning film offers spectacular imagery, including aerial and underwater photography, to describe the Cape Lookout ecosystem from the soundside marshes and estuaries to the thin protective line of barrier islands of the Outer Banks and the ocean depths beyond. this film is shown in a large screen format in the Harkers Island Visitor Center theater.

A shorter (16 minute) version of this film is shown daily, on-demand in the mini-theater in the Keepers' Quarters Museum near the lighthouse.

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Cape Lookout Lighthouse Area

Island Explorations (30 minutes)

Program starts at: 10:30 am. Offered Sunday, Thursday, and Saturday May 25th  – September 24th; offered Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday June 28th – August 9th.

Meet at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock. 

Come join a Park Ranger for new adventures at Cape Lookout National Seashore. From the ocean to the sound and from the sea to the sky, these programs will take you on a different encounter with nature each day. 

Coastal Heroes (30 minutes)

Program starts at: 10:30 am. Offered Wednesday and Friday May 25th – September 24th; offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday June 27th – August 8th.

Meet at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock. 

Heroes come from all walks of life. Lighthouse Keepers, U.S. Life –Saving Service surfmen, U.S. Coast Guard, and local residents have shown strength and courage throughout history. Come and hear the adventurous stories of their heroic actions.

Harkers Island Visitor Center

Programs start at: 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. Offered Saturdays from July 2nd - September 24th.

Come learn how the native plants and animals survive with the constant threat of the force of nature and enjoy a pleasant hike with great views and a chance to see shore birds, crabs and other island life. 

Portsmouth Village

Portsmouth Village Guided Tour (1 hour)

Tours begin at 10:30 AM on Friday and Saturday from June 3rd – September 3rd.

Meet at the Haulover Channel Dock in Meet at the Haulover Dock in Portsmouth Village.

Come and discover what life was like for those who once called Portsmouth and the Outer Banks home. Be sure to bring drinking water, bug repellent and sunscreen. There are no amenities in the village.

SELECT DATES

The following programs are presented on selected days.

Shackleford Banks

Horse Sense & Survival (4 hours) By Reservation Only

Program dates: July 6, September 10, October 22, and November 5

Call (252) 728-2250 for reservations, for more information on the program, ferry costs and other questions check the program fact sheet.

The wild horses on Shackleford Banks are fascinating to observe but may be difficult to find. Join a Ranger for a day-long walking trip to find horses and watch their behavior. The park will arrange transportation by local ferries, there will be a charge for this ride. If you have your own boat, call the park for reservations and meeting locations. There is no charge for the walking program. Come prepared for a day in the sun and for walking through dunes in deep sand. Comfortable walking shoes that can get wet & muddy are a must. Bring water, lunch/snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, a sun hat, binoculars, and camera with telephoto lens.

Harkers Island Visitor Center

Junior Ranger Day

Event takes place on: Sunday, April 17th from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM 

Experience the seashore through Ranger led programs and earn limited edition Junior Ranger Day items such as patches, badges, and certificates as you learn about the plants, animals, and people who have weathered the storms of Cape Lookout. 

Take Your Parent Outside Day

Event takes place on: Saturday, June 18th from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM 

Are you looking for something your family can do together? Come and learn some fun outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. The entire family is welcome, but there are age restrictions on the kayaking portion. 

Your National Park Day

Event takes place on: Saturday, August 20th from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM 

National parks belong to all the people of the United States. They are here for the enjoyment of the present and the future generations. This responsibility is given to all the different types of park employees, as well as, you the park visitor. Come find out what park rangers do and what you can do to help protect the national park through fun and games.

Critters of the Night

Event takes place on: Saturday, October 29 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM  

When the sun sets and many creatures are going to sleep, others are just waking up. Discover some of the mysterious animals which make the park come alive in the dark of the night