Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

Open Monday through Friday 

9am - 4:30pm

Last Entry at 4pm

Free Admission

252-453-4567

Programs are free to attend, but spaces are limited.  Please call us at 252-453-4567 to sign up for classes!

Program Descriptions

All classes meet in the lobby of the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education unless otherwise noted.  

*Outdoor programs are weather dependent; please call us with any questions.  

We will call registered program participants to let you know about any weather cancellations.

Guided Beach Walk

Length:  1 hr           Age: All

Note: This class meets at the public beach access (E. Corolla Village Rd.) across from the lighthouse. Meet instructor by the green sign near the boardwalk. 

Join us for a guided beach walk!  Shells, shore birds, sand, or dolphins, we’ll talk about whatever we find along the way.  Registration closes 30 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Birds and Binoculars

Length: 45 min.        Age: 7-13

Come and learn about some of our local backyard birds!  We’ll learn about using binoculars and all about the different habitats that birds require.  

Crabbing

Length: 1 hr            Age: All Ages

Join our staff to learn all about different ways to catch blue crabs.  *Catch and release!*  Registration closes 1 hour prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Dragon Hunters!

Length: 45 minutes -1 hr                Age: All Ages

Catch some of Corolla’s most curious creatures: dragonflies! You’ll learn about where they live, their amazing aerial skills, and about their mysterious lifecycles.  Please wear closed toe shoes and bring a water bottle.  Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Drop By: Casting Practice

Age: Ages 5+ 

Try your hand at catching Velcro fish! We will have some fishing poles with velcro "hooks" set up so you can practice your cast.  (No real fish are caught during this activity.)

Drop By: Fish Printing

Age: All Ages

Japanese fisherman once kept records of their catches through a process known as Gyotaku or "fish printing."   Learn the history and importance of Gyotaku while creating your own fish print.  No reservations necessary. 

Drop By: Sea Turtles in Jeopardy!

Age: 5+

Join us for this game show-style cart program and learn about the sea turtles of coastal North Carolina.  No reservations necessary. 

Fish Sticks

Length: 1 hr            Age: 4-7 

Pass on our local heritage to the next generation.  Join your young ones while we teach them the basics of fishing.  We provide the bait and poles and you create the memories.  *Catch and release!*  Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Fishing the Sound

Length: 1.25 hrs      Age: 7+ 

Come fish with us! We have the bait, poles, and information on what fish you can catch in Currituck Sound. Learn how to cast, ID your catch, and safely release fish.  

*Catch and release!*  Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Learn About Ladybugs!

Length: 1/2 hour    Ages 4-10

Ladybugs are beneficial insects with a beautiful distinctive pattern.  Learn all about the life cycle of these familiar friends, and make a ladybug craft. Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Make It Take It: Carp, Koi, Or Goldfish?

Length: 1/2 hour      Age 7+

Learn all about these fish! Will include a craft! Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Marine Mammals

Length: 45min.       Age: All Ages

Come have a whale of a tail and learn about some whales and dolphins that live off our coast!  (This an auditorium presentation and does not require registration)

 Nature Journaling

Length: 1 hr            Age: 8-14

The outdoors is a busy place! Animals are moving, plants are growing, and weather is changing.  Learn how to track these changes through nature journaling and develop your skills in writing, drawing, and observation.  Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Nature Photography for Kids

Length: 1 hr            Age: 7-14

Learn about composition and other techniques to improve your nature photography.  Bring your camera or a smart phone and head outdoors to practice applying some of these techniques.  Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Owls

Length: 45 min.      Age: 5+

Join us as we learn about the neat adaptions that owls have to help them survive! (Note: no live animals will be at this program)  Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Sea Turtle Crawl

Length: 45min.      Age: 5+

Note: This class meets at the public beach access (E. Corolla Village Rd.) across from the lighthouse. Meet instructor by the green sign near the boardwalk.  

Learn all about sea turtles! We will learn all about what you can do to help sea turtles, fun facts and how they nest on our beaches! Be prepared to get a little sandy as we will be crawling in the sand!  Registration closes 30 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Sound Sampler

Length: 45 min. to 1 hr    Age: All Ages

Find out what lurks below the surface of the sound!  Learn all about the diversity of Currituck Sound from fish to insects. Registration closes 15 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations. 

Drop By: Wild Wonders Cart

All Ages

Join us for this informal cart program about various objects from the natural word.  No reservations necessary. 

Yuck!

Length: 45 min.  Age: Ages 5+

Vomiting vultures, spitting insects, burping frogs, and more stomach-churning fun will be uncovered during this auditorium program!  We'll be talking all about gross animal facts!