Information for children
What better place to bring children than a safe island brimming with fun things to do. Bald Head is just that place. Although a tad remote, there are families living on Bald Head Island. Some home school and some have their children ride the ferry to the bus stop!. They become part of the community and get to experience a very special environment full of biodiversity. To help them appreciate their surroundings the Bald Head Island Conservancy offers many hikes and programs to learn more about this special place.
The BHI Academy (BHIA) is open and enrolling students grades K through eighth, regardless of financial means. Staffed by best-in-class full-time and volunteer educators, BHIA provides students with a rich, credentialed, on-island education emphasizing earth and life sciences and maritime ecosystems. Our child-centric educational approach (STEA+M — Science, Technology, English, Arts, Athleticism and Math) is a blend of Montessori style and Reggio, and complies with federal and North Carolina standards. But it goes far beyond just the academic basics; it is designed to foster future leaders and teach our children the fabric of our Island. We are breaking barriers and educating children on how to learn for life. We feel that implanting a culture of good stewardship in young minds is critical to our Island’s long-term, intentional success. BHI Academy is for children and the planet.
The Bald Head Island Conservancy conducts a wide range of outstanding children’s camps throughout the summer. Budding Naturalists, a camp for children age 4-6, gives kids a chance to catch bugs and critters, hold snakes and make island-oriented arts and crafts. For rising 2nd-6th graders who want to get out and experience nature on Bald Head Island, Junior Scientists is perfect. Kayaking, nature hikes, crabbing and shell collecting are only a few of the activities available. Kids will learn about sea turtles, plant and animal identification and Bald Head Island’s unique ecosystem.Conservancy Corps gives tweens and teens age 11-14 a great way to get involved with the Conservancy’s efforts to protect Bald Head Island. Campers split their time between the field and lab, collecting data and analyzing it to help further the Consevancy's research.
Old Baldy offers history tours, access to the lighthouse and the museum as well as the Annual Pirates Weekend full of activities to charm the children.
The Bald Head Island Club offers a fun, safe and individualized summer camp program for children 5-12 years old. Camps include weekly golf and tennis instruction, daily swimming, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, team activities, movies and field trips. The Club also offers Junior Golf Camps and Junior Tennis Programs throughout the summer. Golf and Swimming lessons are also for groups and privately.
The Shoals Club’s Recreation Department offers a variety of family friendly activities throughout the season including family movies, volleyball and bocce tournaments, games around the pool and tie-dying t-shirts.
All About Art offers a variety of art programs for kids of all ages, including a half-day art camp and drawing, photography and basked weaving classes. Mermaid and dragon painting classes are ideal for older children, while "precious impressionists" is geared toward younger kids. Private classes are also available. All About Art offers adult classes throughout the year as well.
Riverside Adventure Company lives up to their name. They offer lots of fun activities:
Ghost Walk - Stroll with our guides down shrouded paths as they revisit 400 years of ghostly Island history. Encounter the haunts of tortured spirits and lost souls; lighthouse keepers and lifesavers, pirates and river pilots, beautiful women and desperate Civil War soldiers. Come face to face with a tapestry of personalities unmatched in the after world. Children's Treasure Hunt
Come take a ride on the Luna Sea to search for buried treasure! We follow clues left by Colonel Dread, the pirate, and see great sites of Bald Head Island on the way! We dress up as pirates with hats, swords, and temporary tattoos, then set sail on our land-boat, squirting everyone in sight with water pistols! Sunset Celebration complete with S'mores on the beach, Arts and Craft Vendors, Dancing, Limbo contest and other games, Entertainment: DJ Fray, Drum Circle, Puppet Shows, Juggler. Sunday Family Funday, FREE ICE CREAM, PIRATE SHIP RIDES
PUPPET SHOW, CORN HOLE GAMES, Entertainment the Steel Drums Band SEA PANS with special guest Charlie the Friendly Fox.
The Sail Shop offers Sailing lessons, Surfing lessons and Kayak lessons. The Sail Shop is your Bald Head Island headquarters for outdoor activities. Bald Head Island's tidal creeks are one of North Carolina's natural treasures, perfect for kayaking. If it's the thrill of wave riding you crave, reserve a spot in our surf camps held daily in the summer. Always wanted to sail the waters, reserve a Funsail with one of our certified instructors.
Beginners are always welcome!
Coastal Urge -Standup Paddleboarding is very family friendly. If they can swim, they’re old enough to be on a board. We provide life jackets for everyone and if they can’t paddle alone, they can ride with mom or dad. In our experience, 10 or older will be able to paddle alone, but you know your children better than anyone.