Cape Lookout National Seashore Announces Its July Interpretive Program Schedule

Date: June 20, 2007
Contact: Wouter Ketel, [phone] Ext. 3005

Harkers Island, North Carolina. Acting Superintendent Connie Backlund announces the following summer activities during the month of July at Cape Lookout National Seashore.  Additional programs may be offered. Programs will run on schedule unless there is inclement weather. For more information on these programs and other program offerings, call the Harkers Island Visitor Center at [phone] for a complete schedule.

Shackleford Banks

Horse Sense and Survival, July 10 (4 hours), By Reservation Only

The wild horses on Shackleford Banks are fascinating to observe but may be difficult to find. Join a Park Ranger for a day-long walking trip to find horses and watch their behavior. The park will arrange transportation by local ferries and there will be a charge for this ride. If you have your own boat, call the park for the reservations and meeting locations. There is no charge for the walking program. Come prepared for a day in the sun and walking through deep sand. Bring water, lunch, bug repellent, sunscreen, a sun hat, binoculars, and camera with telephoto lens. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes for walking in deep sand, water and mud. Call the Cape Lookout National Seashore at [phone] for reservations.

Cape LookoutLighthouse

Lighting the Way (Daily, 15 minutes)

Come learn the history of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the life of a lighthouse keeper. Programs begin at 10:15 AM, 1:15 PM, and 3:15 PM on the porch of the Assistant Keepers’ Quarters next to the Lighthouse.

Life of a Keeper (Daily, 30 minutes)

Lighthouse Keepers were dedicated men and women who kept the lighthouse burning through fair weather and hurricanes.  Come discover how they and their families, managed to keep the light burning.  Programs begin at 11:15 AM at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock.

Storms, Wars & Shipwrecks (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 30 minutes)

Nor'easters , hurricanes, pirates, and wars have all left behind stories and marks on the island that live long beyond those who lived through them.  Join a Ranger to hear the stories of these past storms and how over 3000 ships and people were claimed by the Graveyard of the Atlantic.  Programs begin at 2:15 PM at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock.

Discovery Cart (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 30 minutes)

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! Programs begin at 2:15 PM at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock.

Ranger Story Time ( July 14 and July 28^th, 30 minutes)

Need a break from the hot sun and wind?  Why not join the Ranger in the shade shelter for a short program of fun stories for children and their favorite adults. Programs begin at 1:30 PM at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock.

Shoreline Walk (July 14 and July 28^th, 45 minutes)

Come explore the underwater world of Cape Lookout Bight.  Discover live sand dollars, sea stars and hermit crabs using "glass bottom" buckets for a look beneath the waters.  Programs begin at 1:00 PM on the sound-side beach near the Lighthouse Keeper’s Summer Kitchen.

Fishing with a Ranger (July 7 and July 21^st, 1 hour)

Join a ranger and other fishing enthusiasts to learn the art of surf fishing.  We provide poles, water, and instruction.  Catching fish is up to you.  An adult must accompany participants 13 and younger during this program. Programs begin at 2:00 PM at the ocean beach overlook at the end of the boardwalk.

BarrierIslandEcology (Programs are Tuesday and Thursday, 1 hour)

Join the North Carolina Coastal Federation for an educational walk from the estuary to the ocean. Learn about animal and plant adaptations for life on the barrier island, the constant migration of these barrier islands, and environmental issues that Cape Lookout National Seashore faces today. All ages are welcome. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, clothing, and appropriate sun-gear. Programs begin at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock. 

Tidal Flat Exploration (July 11, July 13, July 25 and July 27^th, 1 hour)

Join the North Carolina Coastal Federation to explore tidal flats and search for wanderers, burrowers, and hunters that call these sandy areas home. Discover the survival techniques of whelks, worms, wentletraps, and other marine creatures. Wear shoes to protect your feet and be prepared to get wet. Programs begin on July 11, 10:00 AM; July 13, 12:00 noon; July 25, 9:30 AM; July 27, 11:00 AM at the Light Station Pavilion near the ferry dock.

PortsmouthVillage

PortsmouthVillageGuided Tour (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 1 hour)

Join a Park Ranger or Volunteer for this guided tour through historic PortsmouthVillage. Discover what life was like for those who once called Portsmouth and the Outer Banks home. Bring drinking water, bug repellent and sunscreen. There are no amenities in the village. Programs begin at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM on Thursday, 9:30 AM on Friday and Saturday at the Haulover Point dock in PortsmouthVillage.