School Programs - The Refuge | Summer Camps + Retreats + School Programs in Ayden NC

The Refuge School Programs

Your students will thank you!

The Refuge offers several exciting opportunities for area schools. Our team-building challenge course can help build unity in your group or class as they overcome obstacles together. Curriculum based activities will help you bring the classroom to life as you study plant and animal life, or the history of eastern NC. We also offer great options for fun outings, including canoeing, fishing, hiking and sports. Sign up for a day trip to the Refuge today!

HOW TO BOOK A TRIP

Decide on a date for your visit and we suggest that you have multiple dates in mind
Call The Refuge to book; 252-746-4766
Choose the activities that best meet the needs of your learners.
Create a schedule that works for you. Typically a day trip includes 4 activities. Refer to the sample schedule for ideas. We will be happy to customize a trip for your group.
Get those students excited about visiting The Refuge.

PRICING

The cost of the trip is $16 per student/ $8 per parent

Teachers are free.
Please bring your own lunch.
A large gas grill is available upon request for a fee of $25.

2026 PRICING UPDATE!

We are updating our admission pricing for the 2026 field trip season.

Student admission will increase to $20 per student while parent admission price will stay the same at $8 per person. As always any teachers of the group are free.

HALF DAY REFUGE/ HALF DAY SIMPLY NATURAL CREAMERY

The cost for this trip is $20 per student/ $10 per parent

For the 2026 field trip season

The cost for this trip will increase to $24 per student/ $14 per parent

What to expect

Groups usually try to arrive by 9:00AM and leave by about 2:00pm. Included are four activity sessions with a lunch break at picnic tables under our covered basketball shelter. You can mix and match academic, character education and fun activities that simply get your students out in Nature. Lunch is not provided; we suggest groups should bring their own lunch. Each activity is designed for about 14 students. If you have a larger group, they will be split up to do each activity! While we invite parents to join us on the trip and enjoy their encouragement of the students, we do prioritize student engagement while at activities. That being said, we will try to allow adults opportunities if time allows, we just do not guarantee it.

Sample Schedule

TIME	ACTIVITY
9:00 AM	Arrive and introduction
9:30 AM	Activity 1
10:30 AM	Activity 2
11:30 AM	Lunch
12:15 AM	Activity 3
1:15 AM	Activity4
2:15 AM	Depart

ACTIVITY CHOICES

Customize your Refuge Visit

Team Building

Challenge your group mentally, physically and relationally. Our staff will guide you through the 10 elements of our challenge course, designed to encourage teamwork, problem solving, leadership and trust. Groups of 8-14 are ideal. This is not a high ropes course, and no harness or protective equipment is required. This option requires 2 hours. Larger groups will be split up into groups of 8-14.

Try Our Newest Activity!

Introducing Arrow Tag and Mace Ball

These activities are great for upper elementary, middle and high school students. Part of our character education program, these activities test the team working skills of students as they battle one another and secure victory.

Safety Note: Sanitary facemasks/eye protection are always worn while participating in these events. Before beginning either of these activities, students undergo a safety debrief by The Refuge Staff and are monitored at all times while activity is taking place. Student/participant failure to adhere to safety guidelines will result in them being asked to sit out the activity.

Educational Activities

Fabulous Fishing

Discuss the characteristics of fish, and try to catch one in our freshwater pond. View live fish up close in a viewing window

NCSOS Objectives covered: K (1.01, 1.02, 1.05) 1^st(1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05) 4^th (1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05)

Really Cool Reptiles

Look for reptiles at our sampling stations, and learn about these fascinating creatures

NCSOS Objectives covered: K (1.01, 1.02, 1.03 1.04,, 1.05) 1^st(1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05) 2^nd (1.01) 4^th (1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05)

Forest Ecology

Discover the community of organisms that interact with each other in the forest. Learn about the different types of forest, and what makes a healthy habitat.

NCSOS Objectives covered: 1^st(1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 2.03, 2.04) 3^rd (1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.06, 2.01, 2.02, 2.03) 5^th(1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 1.07)

Native Americans

Discover traditional practices and survival methods used by the Native American people. Students can build structures, discover cultural practices and learn the relationship Native Americans had with their environment.

NCSOS Objectives covered: K (3.02) 1^st(3.02) 4^th(1.04, 2.01, 2.03, 2.04, 3.01, 3.04) 5^th (1.06, 3.01, 3.05, 4.03)

Farm to Table

No industry has had a greater impact on North Carolina than agriculture. Join the Refuge team as we investigate the impact of farming on the land, people and culture of North Carolina. Students will also learn how we our food goes from farmer to our tables.

NCSOS Objectives covered: Science 1^st(1.01) 3^rd( 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06) 4^thSocial Studies (1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 5.03, 7.01, 7.02, 7.03, 7.04, 7.05)

Aquatic Wild

Love water? Us to! Join the Refuge staff in exploring the our many aquatic environments using programs from the Aquatic Wild guide produced by NC Wildlife Commission. We have several ways to discover and investigate including programs about wetlands, metamorphosis, bioaccumulation, and more. Call us to chat about programs that best fit the learning needs of your students.

NCSOS Objectives covered: Standards dependent on lesson chosen, please ask Lindsey for more details.

Animal Evidence

Identify the habitats and signs of animals in the wild, and construct an “animal shelter” in the woods.

NCSOS Objectives covered: K (1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.05) 1^st(1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05) 4^th (1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05)

Freshwater Ecology

Learn about the components of a freshwater pond, and how animals depend on the pond for survival. Create a model of a freshwater pond.

NCSOS Objectives covered: K (1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 2.02, 2.04, 2.05) 1^st(1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05) 2^ndt(1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04) 4^th (1.01, 1.02, 1.03) 5^th(1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 1.07), 6^th (4.01, 4.02, 4.04)

Incredible Insects

Grab a net and join us for an insect hunt! We will study all about insects and how they survive, and how they affect the ecosystem

NCSOS Objectives covered: K (1.03, 1.04, 1.05) 1^st(1.02, 1.05) 2^ndt(1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04) 3^rd (1.05) 4^th (1.02, 1.03) 5^th(1.05, 1.07), 6^th(4.02)

Beautiful Birds

Observe and describe similarities and differences between species of birds. Learn where to find specific birds and discuss habits like mating dances and food preference.

NCSOS Objectives covered: K (1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.05) 1^st(1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05) 2^ndt(1.01) 4^th (1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05)

Natural Healer

Nature Healers

Discover nature’s remedies to common ailments as we learn about commonly found plant in North Carolina that can be used in survival situations. Did you know the common plantain, a weed to most, can be made into a poultice to stop bleeding and soothe infections? Or have you sipped a dandelion tea to help calm an upset stomach? Earn an eye for plant identification and learn more about nature’s healers.

NCSOS Objectives covered: TBD

Project Wild

Want to help your students learn more about their environment? Join our Refuge staff as they lead students through programs designed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies that cover a vast array of environmental topics. Students will learn in hands on ways what it means to be an environmental steward and the interconnectedness of the species that call Earth home. Please ask about these programs!

NCSOS Objectives covered: This program covers many standards over all grade levels, please contact Lindsey to discuss how we can meet the learning needs of your students.

Recreation

FISHING

Fishing

Throw out a line and try to catch the big one! Rods, reels, bait and instruction provided.

SPORTS

We have facilities for basketball, soccer, wiffleball, volleyball, 4 square, and virtually any outdoor game you can think of!

CANOEING

Paddle your way around our front pond. Boats, PFDs and instruction provided

HAYRIDES

Bounce around on an old fashioned hay-ride!