September 22-25, 2013
Registration Deadline: July 3, 2013

UPDATE 5/2/13
If you have allergies or strict food diets, Fort Caswell's chef can prepare special meals, depending on the number of people and their needs. We would need to coordinate a menu for him to work with. We have families coming in from other states (and flying in), and he doesn't want them to have to bring food with them.  If you would prefer to bring food with you and cook it yourself, we can make sure you have access to a kitchen. If you have food issues, please remember to note it on your registration form so we can work on a menu or arrange access to a kitchen.

What we're doing
We're going to beautiful Fort Caswell in Oak Island, NC this September to participate in their hands-on marine science and history programs.

During our 4-day/3-night stay, we'll explore Fort Caswell's 248 acres of historical structures, salt marsh, beach, and maritime forest at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. We'll learn about blue crabs, coastal fish, marshes, manatees, meteorology, plankton ecology, marine ecosystems, conservation, sea turtles, and more!

We'll also go kayaking, eat S'mores around a bonfire while learning about pirates, hear the Civil War history of the fort while on a hayride, and find out more about the lives of early sailors and fishermen in the area.

All ages are welcome on this trip (including grandparents), as are homeschoolers from other states (and countries).

The registration deadline is July 3.

Program/Activity Information
Educational programs are intended for children in grades K-12 and will be roughly divided by age and grade levels (elementary, middle school, high school), but there will be flexibility within those groups. Younger children are welcome to tag along, but parents must be with them to take care of any disruptions.

Chaperones are not required, but parents are encouraged to attend to help with any behavioral issues, when needed. There will be parents with children in multiple age groups who can't attend with every child, so the help of other parents will be appreciated.

Programs and activities will be scheduled throughout the day, beginning at dinner (5:30 pm) on Sunday, September 22, through breakfast on Wednesday, September 25. An afternoon rest period for elementary-age children, if needed, is built into the schedule.

Here are the activities we have scheduled (this could change, but it's what we'll most likely do):

Elementary Programs
Seashore Discovery Walk
Sand & Surf Exploration
Turtle Talks
Fish Forms
Tidal Creek Kayak (K-3 students must be accompanied by a parent)
Marsh Exploration
Blue Crabs!
Gyotaku

Middle & High School Programs
Tidal Creek Kayak
Marsh Exploration
Blue Crabs!
Plankton Ecology
Coastal Fishing
Dissection
Seashore Discovery Walk
Sand & Surf Exploration
Turtle Hurdle
Mermaids and Manatees
Oceans and Air Movements
Bravo, Charlie!

Evening Family Activities
History Hayride
Putt-Putt Golf
Drift Inn Internet Café and Gym
Bonfire and S’mores with a Pirate

For a description of these programs, click here.

Cost and what's included
The cost will depend on the total in your party, the ages of your children, and how many rooms you need. An estimate for a family of four (two parents, two children) is $678; for a family of three (one parent, two children), $585; and for a parent/child team, $465. For a family of five, plan on around $800 if you don't mind someone sleeping on the floor (bring your own sleeping bag or inflatable mattress).

Families of six could probably squeeze two children on the floor of some rooms (first-registered, first-served for bigger rooms), to keep the estimated cost under $950. For larger families who need two rooms, add together the estimate for a family of four above, to that of a family of two, or three, or four (the total in your family) to get your estimate.

These estimates include your registration fee, lodging, educational programs, activities, and meals starting from dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Wednesday.

Lodging
Rooms are similar to hotel rooms, but don't have phones, televisions, internet, microwaves, or other extras. Most rooms have two double beds (accommodating four), and some have a double and a twin (accommodating three). If you have more in your family and want to bring a sleeping bag or inflatable mattress for the floor in order to reduce costs, that's fine. Just let me know and I'll assign you to a room with extra floor space. (First-registered, first-served for the rooms with more floor space.)

Refunds
Payments are refundable only if I have a family on my waiting list to replace you, and a $25 per person cancellation fee will be deducted from all refunds. No replacements, roster changes, or refunds will be made after July 3, 2013.

If we don't reach our group minimum or if I have to cancel for any reason, you'll receive a full refund.

Ready to go?
Full payment is due within 7 days of the date I confirm your registration. (I'll send you a confirmation email with payment instructions.) If I don't receive your payment by the due date, you will be moved to my waiting list to fill any open spots that remain after my deadline. No payment reminder emails will be sent.

After you complete the registration form, you'll receive an automated notification that it posted correctly. This email does not confirm your spots at the camp - it just confirms that your registration went through correctly. Please email me if you have any questions or don't receive your automated email within 30 minutes of registering.

To register for this camp, please click here.

(I use the same registration form for all of my overnight camps. Please make sure you choose the correct camp on the form and complete all required fields.)