1, 8, 15:
Succulent Seafood,
2-4pm.
Join the Aquarium at local
restaurants as chefs demonstrate how to prepare fresh local seafood
with a flourish. Sessions include a taste test!
Ages 12 and up. $15. NC Aquarium,
Pine
Knoll Shores.
Details: 252-247-4003.
Tues. 2: Beginners Surf Fishing
Clinic, 9am. Join a
ranger at the bathhouse to learn the basic surf fishing techniques.
Fishing license is required. Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach.
Details and reservations: 252-726-3775.
2, 9, 16, 23,
30: Behind the Scenes – Aquarium Close Encounters,
2-3:30pm.Visit
labs and holding areas, help with food preparation and feed the
animals in this thorough behind-the-scenes tour that includes a look
at the Living Shipwreck from above.
Ages 8 and up. $10. NC Aquarium,
Pine
Knoll Shores.
Details: 252-247-4003.
3, 10, 17:
Dinner with the Critters,
6 -7:30pm. Enjoy pizza,
learn about animal care and see what it’s like to feed the animals
in the invertebrate touch tank.
Ages 5 and up.
$15. NC
Aquarium, Pine
Knoll
Shores. Details:
252-247-4003.
Sat. 6:
Holiday
Food Drive
and Open House, 9am-5pm.
Santa drops by the Aquarium to see some fishes and hear some
wishes. Admission is free for visitors donating one non-perishable
food item per person.
NC Aquarium, Pine
Knoll
Shores. Details:
252-247-4003.
6, 13, 20, 27:
Aquarium ABCs,
10-11am.Preschoolers
spend an hour learning about aquatic species with live animals,
crafts to bring home and other fun activities.
Ages 3-5. $8. NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores. Details: 252-247-4003.
Breakfast with the Rays,
8-9:30am. Enjoy a continental breakfast and help
feed these amazing
animals before the Aquarium opens for the day. Ages 5 and up. $15.
NC
Aquarium, Pine
Knoll
Shores. Details:
252-247-4003.
Critter Class,
2-3pm. Creative art
projects, games, videos and live animals introduce
young children to aquatic life.
Ages 6-8. $8.
NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores.
Details: 252-247-
4003.
Sun. 7:
Civil War Musket
Demonstration,
11am. Meet at
the fort entrance to learn about the firing process of the Civil War
musket. Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach.
Details: 252-726-3775.
7, 14, 21, 28: Aquarist Apprentice,
1-4pm.
Join Aquarium staff on a behind-the-scenes tour, help prepare animal
meals and then participate in some daily care and maintenance tasks.
Educators teach you about the animals as you assist aquarists with
their caretaking responsibilities.
Ages 13 and up. $25. NC Aquarium,
Pine
Knoll Shores.
Details: 252-247-4003.
Behind the Scenes – Aquarium At a Glance,
4-4:45pm.Visit
food preparation areas, animal holding areas and labs, and get a
look at the Living Shipwreck exhibit from above.
Ages 5 and up. $5. NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores. Details:
252-247-4003.
Wed. 10:
Coastal Whales of North Carolina,
11am.
Slides and display of
these fascinating and threatened marine mammals that migrate along
NC shores. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details:
252-728-7317.
Tues. 16:
Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area Nature Hike, 2pm. Join a ranger to hike the Roosevelt Nature Trail and learn about
the maritime forest surrounding the NC Aquarium.
Meet at the western end of the Aquarium. Details and to
pre-register: 252-726-2523.
Thurs. 18:
Bird Hike,
9:30am. Meet at the
fort parking lot for a guided hike to observe coastal birds.
Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach. Details: 252-726-3775.
Thurs. 25:
Aquarium Closed.
The Aquarium is closed on Thursday, Dec. 25, but open the usual hours,
9am-5pm, throughout the rest of the holiday weekend. NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores. Details:
252-247-4003.
29-31: Aquatic
Adventurers Camp for Grades 2-3,
8am-2:45pm. This aquarium camp
combines fun and learning into wintertime adventure for children in
grades 2-3. Participants enjoy outdoor activities, discovery labs,
crafts, behind-the-scenes action and more. Camp is limited to 12.
Advance registration and deposit are required. $100. NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores. Details:
252-247-4003.
Wed. 31: Fort Tours,
11am. Meet at the fort parade ground. Fort Macon State Park,
Atlantic Beach. Details: 252-726-3775.
Read more articles in the December print edition of Island Review.
| 
