Field Trips to Hammocks Beach State Park
North Carolina state parks staff proudly offer numerous memorable field trip experiences for students and teachers. Explore science, history, social studies, and math through sampling stream life or climbing a mountain.
Schedule a field trip to Hammocks Beach State Park to explore Bear Island, learn about bottlenose dolphins or sea turtles, or search the beach for seashells.
Field Trip Programs
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North Carolina has the most extensive barrier island chain on the continent. Join a park ranger on beautiful Bear Island to learn about how these unique ecosystems form, the importance of a functional barrier island systems to those who use the resources, and the special adaptations of the animals and plants that can be found there! We'll mention some of the threats to North Carolina's barrier island and what we can all do to help keep them pristine for future generations of North Carolinians.
Additional Information
| Grades | 4 to 8 |
|---|---|
| Length | 45 to 60 minutes If the group is using the scheduled ferry to Bear Island (reservations needed), the visit will be 2 to 3 hours. |
| Class Size | Up to 35 |
| Times Available | With reserved ferry: April to May and September to October, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays |
| Required Dress | Weather-appropriate clothing All students are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes for walking. |
| Scheduling | At least 3 weeks in advance to check availability and fees. |
Correlations
| 4.E.2 | Science – Earth History | Understand the use of fossils and changes in the surface of the earth as evidence of the history of Earth and its changing life forms. |
|---|---|---|
| 4.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats. |
| 4.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand the role geography has played in the development of North Carolina. |
| 5.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand how structures and systems of organisms (to include the human body) perform functions necessary for life. |
| 5.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem. |
| 5.L.3 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 5.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand the ways in which geographic factors and features have influenced development of the United States |
| 6.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the structures, processes and behaviors of plants that enable them to survive and reproduce. |
| 6.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the flow of energy through ecosystems and the responses of populations to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment. |
| 6.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand the geographical factors that influence human migration and settlement. |
| 7.E.1 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Understand how the cycling of matter (water and gases) in and out of the atmosphere relates to Earth's atmosphere, weather and climate and the effects of the atmosphere on humans. |
| 7.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life. |
| 8.E.1 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans. |
| 8.L.3 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment. |
| 8.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand geographic factors that influence the development of North Carolina and the nation. |
Bottlenose dolphins are found in all of North Carolina's saltwater habitats. In this program, students will learn about the natural history of these sea mammals that frequent the waters surrounding the park. We will also discuss some of the threats that have endangered these animals in the past and today, as well as discover some simple things we can do in our home to help dolphins in theirs. And if we are very lucky, we may even see some real wild dolphins!
Additional Information
| Grades | K to 6 |
|---|---|
| Length | 30 to 45 minutes If the group is using the scheduled ferry to Bear Island (reservations needed), the visit will be 2 to 3 hours. |
| Class Size | Up to 70 |
| Times Available | With reserved ferry: April to May and September to October, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays For mainland program only: weekdays, year-round |
| Required Dress | Weather-appropriate clothing All students are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes for walking. |
| Scheduling | At least 3 weeks in advance to check availability and fees. |
Correlations
| K.P.1 | Science – Forces and Motion | Understand the positions and motions of objects and organisms observed in the environment. |
|---|---|---|
| K.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Compare characteristics of animals that make them alike and different from other animals and nonliving things. |
| K.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment. |
| 1.L.2 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth. |
| 1.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment in different places and regions around the world. |
| 2.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand animal life cycles. |
| 2.L.2 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Remember that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 4.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats. |
| 5.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand how structures and systems of organisms (to include the human body) perform functions necessary for life. |
| 5.L.3 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 6.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the flow of energy through ecosystems and the responses of population to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment. |
Every trip to the beach involves searching for seashells. Students will learn to identify the most common species found on North Carolina beaches and discover their fascinating and surprising biology. They will also be introduced to other artifacts that sometimes wash ashore on beaches, including bones and cargo, from shipwrecks and who knows what else!
Additional Information
| Grades | K to 12 |
|---|---|
| Length | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Class Size | Up to 70 |
| Times Available | Mainland program only: weekdays, year-round |
| Required Dress | Weather-appropriate clothing |
| Scheduling | At least 3 weeks in advance to check availability and fees. |
Correlations
| K.P.1 | Science – Forces and Motion | Understand the positions and motions of objects and organisms observed in the environment. |
|---|---|---|
| K.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Compare characteristics of animals that make them alike and different from other animals and nonliving things. |
| K.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment. |
| 1.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand characteristics of various environments and behaviors of humans that enable plants and animals to survive. |
| 1.L.2 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth. |
| 1.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment in different places and regions around the world. |
| 2.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand animal life cycles. |
| 2.L.2 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Remember that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 2.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand how interaction between humans and the physical environment is impacted by movement and settlement. |
| 4.E.2 | Science – Earth History | Understand the use of fossils and changes in the surface of the earth as evidence of the history of Earth and its changing life forms. |
| 4.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats. |
| 5.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand how structures and systems of organisms (to include the human body) perform functions necessary for life. |
| 5.L.3 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 6.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the flow of energy through ecosystems and the responses of population to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment. |
| 7.E.1 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Understand how the cycling of matter (water and gases) in and out of the atmosphere relates to Earth's atmosphere, weather and climate and the effects of the atmosphere on humans. |
| 7.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life. |
| 8.E.1 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans. |
| 8.E.2 | Science – Earth History | Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms. |
| 8.L.3 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment. |
| Bio.2.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Analyze the interdependent relationships of living organisms within their environments. |
| Bio.2.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the impact of human activities on the environment (one generation affects the next). |
| EEn.2.3 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Explain how water is an agent of energy transfer. |
Learn all about North Carolina's sea turtles — from their perilous rush to the sea as hatchlings to their amazing return to nest on the same beaches on which they were born. In small groups, students will evaluate possible turtle nesting sites on Bear Island, focusing on the sea turtle life cycle and management by State Parks staff. Students will learn how data is collected for research papers and what they can do to keep sea turtle populations healthy.
Additional Information
| Grades | K to 12 |
|---|---|
| Length | 45 to 60 minutes If the group is using the scheduled ferry to Bear Island (reservations needed), the visit will be 2 to 3 hours. |
| Class Size | Up to 70 |
| Times Available | With reserved ferry: April to May and September to October, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays |
| Required Dress | Weather-appropriate clothing All students are encouraged to bring an extra pair of closed-toe shoes for walking in the surf. |
| Scheduling | At least 3 weeks in advance to check availability and fees. |
Correlations
| K.P.1 | Science – Forces and Motion | Understand the positions and motions of objects and organisms observed in the environment. |
|---|---|---|
| K.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Compare characteristics of animals that make them alike and different from other animals and nonliving things. |
| K.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment. |
| 1.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand characteristics of various environments and behaviors of humans that enable plants and animals to survive. |
| 1.L.2 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth. |
| 1.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment in different places and regions around the world. |
| 2.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand animal life cycles. |
| 2.L.2 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Remember that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 2.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand how interaction between humans and the physical environment is impacted by movement and settlement. |
| RI.3.7 | English / Language Arts – Reading Standards for Informational Text | Integration of Ideas and Analysis Use information gained from illustrations and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text. |
| 4.E.2 | Science – Earth History | Understand the use of fossils and changes in the surface of the earth as evidence of the history of Earth and its changing life forms. |
| 4.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats. |
| 5.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand how structures and systems of organisms (to include the human body) perform functions necessary for life. |
| 5.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem. |
| 5.L.3 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 7.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life. |
| 8.E.1 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans. |
| 8.L.3 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment. |
| 8.L.4 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Understand the evolution of organisms and landforms based on evidence, theories and processes that impact the Earth over time. |
| Bio.2.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Analyze the interdependent relationships of living organisms within their environments. |
| Bio.2.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the impact of human activities on the environment (one generation affects the next). |
| EEn.2.3 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Explain how water is an agent of energy transfer. |
| EEn.2.6 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Analyze patterns of global climate change over time. |