The Coastal Studies Institute and ECU Outer Banks Campus host a variety of monthly, seasonal, and annual events and programs.

Please check back regularly for the most up-to-date list of upcoming events. Last updated August 3, 2026.

Monthly Events

Guided Tours

Offered on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 10 AM. Pre-registration is required.

• August 12 & 26
• September 9 & 23

Science on the Sound Lecture Series

Typically occurs every third Thursday of the month, August- May. Pre-registration is not required, unless specifically noted, and the program is free to attend.

Science on the Sound will return in the Fall. Check back later for a list of upcoming topics!

Family Programs

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 all Family Programs is required. Upcoming offerings include:

Evening in the Estuary: August 18, 4-6 PM

Special Events & Seasonal Programs

2026 Summer Camps

Camps focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math concepts and utilize hands-on experiences and exploration of the great outdoor spaces of the Outer Banks. Each week of camp features a particular theme and runs Monday-Friday, 9 AM- 3:30 PM. The registration fee for all camps is $425 per individual. Dates for remaining themes are as follows:

• Coastal Explorers: August 10-14

Birding at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

August 22, 7 AM- 10 AM

Join the Coastal Studies Institute in search of migratory shorebirds at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, a birding hotspot along the Atlantic Flyway. In this field-based program, participants will have the opportunity to view the terns, plovers, herons, and other coastal birds that visit and nest on the Outer Banks each summer.

During the approximately 1.5-mile, out-and-back stroll along a portion of the North Pond Trail, instructors will share tips and tricks for bird identification and highlight the cultural and environmental significance of the refuge and its coastal habitat. Spending approximately two hours onsite, this fun and educational program will allow for ample time to use scopes and binoculars and take photos. What will be the most exciting thing you see? There’s only one way to find out!

Pre-registration for Birding at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is required and costs $20/person.

Oyster Science & Art Workshop

October 10, 10 AM- 4 PM

A New and Exciting CSI x Pocosin Arts Collaborative Program

Step into the intersection of science and art! Upon arriving at Pocosin Arts, participants will learn about oyster reefs from CSI staff in a short, interactive lesson highlighting their ecosystem benefits and the critters that call them home. The lesson will also include time to view live oysters under a microscope! Then, following a brief break for lunch, Pocosin Arts will take the lead, and participants will create their own oyster reef-inspired, metal cast sculptural objects or pendants as a tangible reminder of the day’s science lesson. The program will take place from 10 AM- 4 PM and is intended for adults, as well as youth 8- 17 years of age, accompanied by a registered, participating adult. Transportation to/ from Pocosin Arts will be provided, with CSI serving as the start and end location. The cost is $55 per person, and preregistration is required.