ABOUT THE DUNES – Join a park ranger for a short discussion about Jockey’s Ridge, the dunes, the resident animals, and a little park history. Meets on the back deck.
Length of Program: Approx. 25 mins.

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

BACK DECK TALK – Why is it called Jockey’s Ridge? What kinds of animals live here? Why do the dunes always look different? Join a ranger on the back deck of the visitor center for an overview discussion about Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

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.

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.

DYNAMIC DUNES – There’s more to dunes than meets the eye. We will discuss all things dune in this program: how they form, what they’re made of, and what wind has to do with it. This short presentation meets in the auditorium for about 25 minutes.

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 mins. Ages: Any age.
Meets in the auditorium.

HISTORY OF JOCKEY’S RIDGE – Join a ranger in the auditorium for a slideshow on the history of Jockey’s Ridge. The talk will include information on the general, cultural, and geologic history of the park.
Length of Program: Approx. 30 min. Ages: Any age.
Meets in 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

MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA TRAIL HIKE – October is Mountains-to-Sea Trail Month! This long trail crosses the entire state from Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey’s Ridge State Park at the top of the dune. Join us for a hike to the top of the dune while discussing dunes, the sand, and the sights from the top. Be prepared for walking up a steep sand dune in soft sand. Hike is moderate to strenuous and lasts for about 45 minutes. Meet at the covered pavilion in the corner of the parking lot. Ages: Any age, as long as they don’t mind a long hike up.

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.

POWER OF WIND – Join us for a presentation on some history of wind turbines and how they work. Then walk outside to view our newest addition to the park: A 73 foot wind turbine!
Ages: Any age (may be too technical for small children.) Meets in the auditorium.

SEA SHELLS SPIEL
Join park staff to learn about sea shells of the 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. Program will be cancelled in the event of rain.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 mins.
Ages: Any age.

SHELL SHOW & TELL – Join park staff to learn about sea shells of the North Carolina. What kind of creature lives inside the shells? What do they eat? View a collection of shells and feel free to bring your own shells in to either identify or just to show off!
Length of program: Approximately 30 minutes.
All ages welcome.

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. Program will be cancelled in the event of rain.
Length of Program: Approx. 20 mins.
Ages: Any age.

TOP OF DUNE HIKE – This program contains the same information as the Dune Hike except that we will actually hike up to the top of the tall main dune. This one meets in the covered pavilion in the corner of the parking lot. The hike to the top may be strenuous for some. We will take our time getting to the peak but it will require some physical exertion.
Length of Program: Approx. 1 hour.
Ages: Any age.

TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD – Or at least to the top of Jockey’s Ridge! Meet a Ranger at the Pavilion to hike the tallest sand dune on the east coast. Learn how the dune formed, how the wind affects it and some other interesting facts.
Length of Program: Approximately 45 mins. Ages: Any age.

TRACKS IN THE SAND - 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.**

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.
* 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.

WHAT DO RANGERS DO? - Have you ever noticed that every time you see a ranger they are doing something completely different from the last time you saw them? What exactly DO they DO? Come talk to a ranger about their duties, responsibilities and life influences that put them in this career. Meets in the auditorium.
Length of Program: Approx. 45 minutes. Ages: Great for all ages (especially for those starting to think about a life career).