School & Group Programs
Groups are invited to schedule a visit during normal Museum hours. There is no admission fee, but there is a charge for some programs and field trips.
How to Schedule a Visit
1. Select the program(s) from the lists provided below, time and date (and alternative dates) your group is interested in visiting the Museum on.
2. Contact the education staff during normal business hours.
I. Museum Tours (20-45 mins.) Free!
Self-Guided or Teacher-led tours of the exhibit area may be scheduled during regular Museum hours. A guide to the Museum is available at the reception desk for group leaders to use for self-guided tours. One teacher or chaperone who is responsible for discipline while in the museum must be assigned to every 10 students. There are no exceptions. Unsupervised students and unruly groups will be asked to leave with their group leader. We recommend supplemental worksheets for self-guided tours. The museum provides the age appropriate supplemental worksheets and lends out clipboards, and pencils to visiting groups at no charge.
II. Group Programs (20-40 mins.) Maximum of 60 participants* Free!
The museum offers a variety of programs for families, schools, and community groups. Please call in advance to see what programs are available for your group.
III. Field Programs The museum features a variety of field programs for families, schools, and community groups to not only learn about but also experience their maritime heritage. One teacher or chaperon who is responsible for discipline while in the museum must be assigned to every 10 students. There are no exceptions.
- Tidal Flat and Salt Marsh preschool-adult, $30 fee; 1-1/2 hours; maximum of 30 participants Investigate a sand flat and adjacent salt marsh to study intertidal organisms and their adaptations, food chains, productivity, and the estuarine nursery area. A seine net is pulled in shallow water to view a sample of marine animals.
- Carolina Estuarine Reserve Rachel Carson Site Hike 5th grade-adult, 30 participants maximum, $60 fee plus cost of the ferry; 2-1/2 -3 hours This island component of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserves provides opportunities to study dune plants, feral horses, and organisms of intertidal mud flats and sounds. Participants cross Beaufort's harbor by boat, wade in shallow water, and walk 1/2 mile across a mud flat to the beach.
- Marine Life Collecting Cruise 6th grade-adult; inquire for current fees; 2-1/2 hours; maximum of 20 participants After an orientation in the museum participants board a research vessel equipped with sampling-sized commercial fishing gear to collect and observe estuarine and ocean organisms. Discussion focuses on species identification and natural history.
- Kayaking the Estuaries 7th grade - adult, $40 fee/ person; 3 1/2 hours; maximum of 10 participants, 4 person minimum Suitable for beginning to advanced kayakers. Groups kayak through and study estuaries and learn about currents and tides, and navigation. The program includes on hour of preparation/instruction; two hours of paddling; and 30 minutes of clean up.
