Jockey's Ridge State Park Calendar

Program Calendars

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June 2009

Park Hours: Main Gate: 8 AM - 9 PM (Dune area closes at 15 minutes before the main gate); Back Gate: 8 AM to 7 PM; Visitor Center Hours: 9 AM - 7:45 PM.
* Events marked with an asterisk (*) require pre-registration.
Space is limited. You may pre-register up to 6 participants on each call.

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9:00 am	Kayaking Roanoke Sound*	Track Casting*	Seine the Sound	Kayaking Roanoke Sound*	Kayaking Roanoke Sound*
10:00 am	Cultural History Of The Outer Banks	Blackbeards Treasure Hunt*	Crabby Clinic	Seine the Sound	Track Casting*
11:00 am	Video: Fish	Hanging in the Wind	Interesting Insects	Hanging in the Wind	Video: Shark
2:00 pm	Video: Bird	Discovery Table	Spreading Seeds	Discovery Table	Video: Plant
4:00 pm	Video: Insect	Sea Shell Spiel	Awesome Amphibians		Video: Butterfly & Moth
8:00 pm		Sunset on the Ridge	Sunset on the Ridge	Sunset on the Ridge	Sunset on the Ridge
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am Discovery Table

July 2009

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9:00 am	Kayaking Roanoke Sound*	Kayaking Roanoke Sound*	Seine the Sound	Blackbeards Treasure Hunt*	Kayaking Roanoke Sound*
10:00 am		Track Casting*	Crabby Clinic	Seine the Sound	Track Casting*
11:00 am	Video: Fish	Hanging in the Wind	Interesting Insects	Hanging in the Wind	Video: Shark
2:00 pm	Cultural History Of The Outer Banks	Discovery Table	Spreading Seeds	Discovery Table	Video: Plant
4:00 pm	Video: Insect	Sea Shell Spiel	Awesome Amphibians		Video: Butterfly & Moth
8:00 pm		Sunset on the Ridge	Sunset on the Ridge	Sunset on the Ridge	Sunset on the Ridge
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am Discovery Table

Events are subject to modification or cancellation due to weather or emergency conditions. Programs are free and open to the public. We will make every effort to accommodate persons with disabilities.
* Events marked with an asterisk (*) require pre-registration.
Space is limited. You may pre-register up to 6 participants on each call.
*Pre-registration* Registrations can be made at 252.441.2588. Registration line opens at 9 am 2 weeks prior to the date of program.
Call the park office for more information: 252.441.2588

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Signing Up for Programs

Outdoor programs are weather dependent and do not have rain dates. Depending on available staffing, an alternate program may take place indoors if an outdoors program is cancelled.

Pre-registration is required for some events (as noted). Pre-registration is 2 WEEKS prior to program date starting at 9 a.m. Please call (252) 441-2588 for reservations.

Be prepared. Most programs take place away from the Visitor’s Center. Make sure to bring and wear sunscreen, a hat, and proper footwear for the activity. Bring a water bottle and stay well hydrated.

Program Descriptions

ARBOR DAY TREE I.D. HIKE
In recognition of Arbor Day, we will explore a small section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail located in the park to identify some of the local trees we have here. Meet in the Visitor Center lobby.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 mins
Ages: All ages welcome

AWESOME AMPHIBIANS
In recognition of National Frog Jumping Day, we’ll be talking everything amphibian at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Join park staff in discovering all the unique amphibians that call the park home. The program will meet in the auditorium.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 mins
Ages: All ages welcome

BEGINNER BIRDING ON THE SOUND – The Roanoke Sound is a great place to explore and discover the birds of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Join a ranger for a morning walk along the sound to see the park’s feathered friends in their natural habitat. Note: While not strenuous, this hike may tire very young children or the elderly. Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Pre-registration required.
Length of Program: Approx. 1 Hr.
Ages: Adults and Older children

BLACKBEARD’S TREASURE HUNT - Legend has it that the feared pirate Blackbeard hid some of his ill-gotten treasure under the shifting sands of Jockey’s Ridge and was never able to recover it. We probably won’t have any luck recovering the real treasure, but participants will learn the basics of using a map and compass in this fun and interesting program. Note: Very young children may have trouble understanding some of the concepts presented in this program.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 mins. Ages: Adults and Older children. Program will be cancelled in the event of rain. Pre-registration required.**

CRABBY CLINIC –Learn more about the life of this amazing invertebrate and how to catch them. A ranger will give an informative talk on the life of North Carolina’s popular Blue Crab. All Crabs caught will be released.
See sample traps and hopefully a few live specimens. Meets at the first sound side beach access boardwalk. Program will be cancelled in the event of rain.
Length of Program: Approx. 40 mins. Ages: Adults and children.

CULTURAL HISTORY OF THE OUTER BANKS - Join a staff member to discuss the history of North Carolina’s barrier islands, how we came to live on them, and the various characters that made this place what it is today. Meets in the auditorium at 10 am on Mondays.

DISCOVERY TABLE – A ranger will have a “hands on” table set up with uncommon and common artifacts found in and around Jockey’s Ridge, including petrified lightning. Meets on Back Deck/Auditorium (weather depending).
Length of Program: Approx. 30 mins. Ages: Great for all ages

DUNE HIKE
What makes a sand dune? What keeps it from blowing away? How and why do animals make their home there? Answer these and many other questions during this low-intensity walk through the dunes. Let’s go exploring! Meets in the Visitor Center lobby.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 mins.
Ages: Great for all ages.

EARTH DAY ADVENTURE
It’s Earth Day!! We will have a quick talk about the history and reason for Earth Day before we head outside and enjoy the great outdoors in a protected natural area by going for a short hike. Meet in the auditorium. Length of Program: Approx. 1 hour
Ages: All ages welcome

INTERESTING INSECTS
If you have ever stopped to admire a butterfly, tried to sneak up on a grasshopper, or if you just want to know more about creepy, crawly bugs then this is the program for you. First, learn all the details on insects and then get an up close look at these creatures when you take nets and containers out into the park for an insect round up along the Mountains to Sea Trail section located in Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Length of program: Approx. 45 mins. Meet in the auditorium
Ages: 4 yrs. and older.

HANGING IN THE WIND - A Kitty Hawk Kites hang gliding instructor will discuss the properties of wind and hang-gliding, a popular local activity.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 minutes. Ages: Any age. Meets in the auditorium.

INTERESTING INSECTS - If you have ever stopped to admire a butterfly, tried to sneak up on a grasshopper, or if you just want to know more about creepy, crawly bugs then this is the program for you. First, learn all the details on insects and then get an up close look at these creatures when you take nets and containers out into the park for an insect round up along the Mountains to Sea Trail section located in Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
Length of program: Approx. 45 mins. Meet in the auditorium. In the event of rain the outdoor portion of this program will not take place. Ages: 4 yrs. and older.

KAYAKING ROANOKE SOUND - Join our staff for a paddle on the Roanoke Sound. We’ll learn about the sound and estuary portions of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. No experience necessary, but children under 13 must paddle with an adult (18 or older).
Length of program: Approx. 2 hours. Ages: 6 years and older (no exceptions). Program will be cancelled in the event of rain or high wind. Pre-registration required.**

LOVE A TREE
In recognition of National Love a Tree Day, we are taking the time to get to know a very special native tree. They say you only love what you know, so join park staff in getting to know Bayberry. The program will start off in the auditorium and will end with a low impact hike along the picnic area trail to view the trees in the park.
Length of Program: 1 Hour
Ages: All ages welcome

OYSTER REEF RESTORATION PROJECT
Jockey's Ridge State Park needs your help bagging oyster shells for our upcoming restoration project on our northern soundside beach. Come join park staff to learn about the restoration project, the importance of oysters, and help bag some oyster shells for our project. Recommendations: Closed toe shoes and gloves. This program will take place weather permitting.
Length of Program: Approx. 1 Hr.
*Sign up is required but space is not limited. Call 252-441-7132 for sign-ups.

SEA SHELLS SPIEL
Join park staff to learn about Sea shells of North Carolina Coast. What kind of creature lives inside the shells? Where do they live? What do they eat? Learn the answers to these questions and view a collection of shells found along our shores.
Length of program: Approximately 30 minutes. All ages welcome.

SEINE THE SOUND – Using a seine net pulled through the water, we’ll discover the aquatic life found thriving in Roanoke Sound. Be sure to wear clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Meets at first sound side beach access boardwalk on Wednesdays at 9 am and Thursdays at 10 am. Program will be cancelled in the event of rain.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 mins. Ages: Any age.

SOUNDSIDE NATURE TRAIL HIKE
Join a ranger for a leisurely walk along our Soundside Nature Trail and discuss the interesting habitats of barrier islands.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 mins.
Ages: Any age.

SPREADING SEEDS
In recognition of Dandelion Day, we will be exploring the many unique ways plants have found to spread seeds. Fine out about relationships that have been developed between specific plants and animals, and learn how even humans can be tricked into carrying seeds. Meet in the auditorium. Length of Program: Approx. 30 mins.
Ages: All ages welcome

SUNSET ON THE RIDGE – Enjoy the splendor of the evening sky from atop the highest sand dune on the Atlantic Coast. Discover how the dunes may have formed and hear local legends and history. Meet at the top of the dunes (at the park utility vehicle) for this Jockey’s Ridge favorite at 8 pm, Tuesday through Friday. Program will be cancelled in the event of rain.
Length of Program: Approx. 20 mins. Ages: Any age.

TRACK CASTING - Kids can discover the animals of Jockey’s Ridge and learn to identify them by their tracks and other clues they leave behind. We’ll make a plaster cast of their favorite track for them to take home.
Length of program: Approx. 1 hour. In the event of rain the outdoor portion of this program will not take place. Ages: Any age. Pre-registration required.**

VIDEO: The Wonders of Jockey's Ridge - is a 30 minute video that includes a reenactment of how Jockey's Ridge came to be preserved in the state park system. The video also has some photos of wildlife that can be seen in the park. All ages welcome.
Length of Program: 30 mins.
Ages: Any age.

VIDEO PRESENTATION: Eyewitness DVD’s provides us with entertaining 35 minutes explorations into different aspects of our natural world. Fish, Bird, Shark, Plant, and Insect will be shown through the week in the auditorium at designated times.

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