Family Programs
CSI Family Programs are educational opportunities for elementary school-aged children and their accompanying adult(s). Each program incorporates fun, hands-on activities for experiential learning. Pre-registration for Family Programs is required, and links for each are forthcoming.
Please scroll toward the bottom of the page for more information regarding the registration process and cancellation policy. Contact Lauren Kerlin at kerlinl22@ecu.edu or 252-475-5451 with questions about Family Programs.
Winter & Spring Programs
Maritime Mysteries
Wednesday, February 25, 4-5 PM
Dive into the world of maritime archeology and shipwrecks to learn about North Carolina’s rich maritime history and the methods used to study it. Participants will examine evidence and use investigative thinking to discover the identity of a sunken vessel.
This program is suitable for ages 7 & up and costs $10 per person.
Feathered Friends
Thursday, March 19, 4-5 PM
Get ready to soar into birding season with CSI and Feathered Friends. This program covers all things birds on the OBX – spotting, identification, and crafting! Participants will learn easy bird ID tips, do some bird watching, and craft a DIY bird feeder.
This program is suitable for ages 5 & up and costs $10 per person.
Marsh wren photo courtesy of Jeff Lewis.
Shells & Invertebrates
Tuesday, April 21, 4-5 PM
Meet the fascinating marine creatures without backbones. This program offers hands-on experiences to explore invertebrates and their armor – shells! Participants will learn the vital role invertebrates play in marine and estuarine food webs and maybe even see some up close and personal.
This program is suitable for ages 5 & up and costs $10 per person. Registration forthcoming.
Dock Discovery
Wednesday, May 20, 4-5 PM
Have you ever wondered what’s swimming beneath the surface? You’re invited to come discover the exciting underwater world of the Croatan Sound right on CSI’s campus. Using a variety of sampling methods, participants will witness the numerous species that make our estuaries so diverse.
This program is suitable for ages 5 & up and costs $10 per person. Registration forthcoming.
Summer Programs
Evening in the Estuary
Check back soon for future offerings.
Celebrate summer with an evening on the water! The Coastal Studies Institute will once again offer Evening in the Estuary, an on-the-water educational experience for families. Evening in the Estuary programs include a boat ride through the Croatan Sound to a marsh island to wade the shallow waters, survey the sandy shores, and explore the grassy uplands. Participants will learn about estuarine ecology, investigate plant and animal adaptations, seine for critters, and more.
Fall Programs
Exploring Oyster Ecology
Check back soon for future offerings.
Exploring Oyster Ecology is an educational opportunity for families with children ages 5 and older. Instructors will lead the public in a fun, interactive lesson about oysters and their vital role in our estuaries. Participants will get an up–close look at live oysters, investigate the organisms they interact with, and play games, too!
Registration Information
ECU’s Continuing and Professional Education facilitates the registration process for Family Programs and other CSI offerings such as Summer Camps, Soundside Science Scouts, and Tours. Their online registration system requires users to create an account for easy checkout. To expedite the registration process, we recommend that users set up their account before registering for a program or camp. Use the buttons below to explore CPE’s webpage for CSI programs and view a user’s guide to create a new account.
For questions or concerns about the registration process, please contact Continuing and Professional Education at 252-328-9198 or cpe@ecu.edu.
Cancellation Policy
CSI Family Programs follow the policies and guidelines set by Continuing and Professional Education, including the information provided below. For a full explanation of policies, please visit cpe.ecu.edu/registration/policies-procedures/.
If CPE cancels a course, you will receive full reimbursement of the course fee or you may request a tuition transfer to another course within a 12-month period. When selecting a different course, participants will be responsible for any difference in tuition cost at the time of the request or in some cases a participant may receive a credit on file.
Course registration is complete once payment is received. Course fees are payable in advance. Registration is not complete and will not be confirmed until we receive full payment. All registration fees must be paid prior to attending the course. If payment has not been received by the deadline, registrations will be canceled.
To request a refund, participants must submit a course withdrawal request electronically to cpe@ecu.edu at least 10 business days prior to the program start date. Participants may choose to transfer into another course in lieu of a refund, provided space is available in the other course. If the request to transfer is received 2 weeks before the course begins, there will be no charge to complete the transfer. If the request is received less than 2 weeks before the start of a course, there will be a late transfer fee of $50.
If a participant is unable to attend a face-to-face or residential course, they may request a refund or transfer to another course. They may also request a substitution. Unless otherwise noted on the program registration page, the deadline for canceling a registration is 10 business days prior to the course start date. If the Office of Continuing and Professional Education receives notification by email at cpe@ecu.edu or by mail before the deadline, it will:
- Reschedule the student in a future course, or
- Refund the course fees (minus $25.00 administrative fee).
Requests received beyond the deadline will receive no refund.
Please include the participant’s full name and address, registration details for the course to be canceled (i.e., course code, title, and dates), whether the request is to reschedule or receive a refund, and a daytime phone number where the Office of Continuing and Professional Education can contact the participant or company contact for billing questions.
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
