Nature Programs

When: Backpacks can be rented Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Must have a form of identification)

What: Each backpack contains lessons, activities and equipment to learn about birds, mammals, insects, nature journaling and ponds.

Cost: Free same day rental/check out

Contact a staff member who will contact you to arrange pickup: Hope Grubbs (Also available at both the Davis and MLK Community Centers)

Check out these really cool 'How-To' videos! 

Bring your “Little Explorers” out to the park and discover nature through a hikes in the park, experiments, and activities. Your children will delight in the many nature themes we explore each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for these popular programs. Available for those between 2 & 5 years of age. $3.00/participant. 

Lunar Exploration (March 14, 2025) 

Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Signs of Spring (March 28, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Blooming Bonanza (April 11, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Aviation Adaptations (April 25, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Magical Meteorology (May 9, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Turtley Awesome Times (May 23, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Nature's Stages (June 13, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

World of Water (June 20, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Hide & Seek (July 18, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Notion of Motion (August 8, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Digging in the Dirt (August 22, 2025) 
Friday 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Feed your curiosity at the Creature Feature where each month shines a spotlight on one of the unique species that call Halyburton Park their home! Pizza included. Available for those 6 years of age and older. $5.00/participant.

The Eastern Newt (March 5, 2025 from 6 to 7:00 p.m.)

• Scuttle in to learn about the Eastern Newt and discover the many changes this amphibian experiences throughout its life.

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Treemendous Tree Frogs (April 4, 2025 from 6 to 7:00 p.m.)

• Hop over to celebrate National Frog Month by meeting and learning about the tree frogs at Halyburton Park.

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Speedy Serpents: Black Racer (May 9, 2025 from 6 to 7:00 p.m.)

• Slither on over to learn about one of the fastest snakes in the southeast and have a chance to meet our resident Black Racer, Kirby.

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Discover a new way to explore the park each month with the Walk and Learn series. Each hike will focus on a different and unique aspect of the park- from natural history to cultural relevance to health and wellness. Available for those 6 years of age and older. FREE Program.

Spring Celebration (March 22, 2025 from 11 - 12 p.m.)

• Come out and enjoy the beauty of nature as we celebrate the changing of the seasons. Learn about the different ways people celebrate spring all over the world and throughout history.

Earth Exploration (April 12, 2025 from 11 - 12 p.m.)

• Join us to celebrate Earth Day! Explore the different habitats at the park and the wildlife they support. Learn about local biodiversity and discover how we can help protect these ecosystems.

Mothers’ Methods (May 17, 2024 from 11 - 12 p.m.)

• From alligators and wolf spiders to sharks and mantises, learn about the different behaviors of nature’s best and worst mothers and gain a deeper understanding of the choices these animals make to ensure their survival.

Pollinator Stroll (June 21, 2025 from 11 - 12 p.m.)

• From bees and other insects to the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, get to know our native pollinators and how their work shapes the ecosystem. Learn about different ways to support pollinator species!

Keeping It Cool (July 19, 2025 from 11 - 12 p.m.)

• Explore the different adaptations and approaches animals use to stay cool during the sweltering summer temperatures and learn how we can stay safe in summer weather.

A Fondness for Ferns (August 16, 2025 from 11 - 12 p.m.)

• Explore the different adaptations and approaches animals use to stay cool during the sweltering summer temperatures and learn how we can stay safe in summer weather.

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Join park staff for a leisurely bird-watching stroll around Halyburton Park the first Friday of each month. We’ll search for migrants, residents, and point out year-round species too. These walks are for beginner birders and all are welcome. Participants meet at Halyburton Park (4099 S. 17th St).

This program is free and can be enjoyed by those 6 years of age and older. 

• Friday, March 7, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Friday, April 4, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Friday, May 2, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

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Explore local birding hotspots discovering the diversity of resident and migratory bird species. Participants must provide their own transportation unless otherwise specified. This program can be enjoyed by those 16 years of age and older. Register here! 

• Trip to Greenfield Park on March 20, 2025 from 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. ($10/Person)
• Trip to Holly shelter Game Lands on April 24, 2025 from 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. ($10/Person)
• Trip to the Green Swamp on May 15, 2025 from 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. ($10/Person)

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Halyburton Park staff offers a variety of programs for schools, homeschool groups, afterschool programs, and summer camps. Our programs are geared toward children in grades pre-k through 5th.

To submit an inquiry, complete the booking form(PDF, 7MB) and submit to Hope Grubbs.

Halyburton Park School & Group Program Guide(PDF, 88MB)

Halyburton Park is going on tour! Check our our park pop-up schedule to see when we'll be teaching at a playground near you.

Ages: All
Cost: Free (no registration required)
Dates, Times, & Locations: TBA 

For a downloadable flyer, click here.

Come meet some of the ambassador animals and learn how they live both in the wild and at the center while they enjoy a reptile-ready meal! Each program will feature a snake and a box turtle. Participants meet at Halyburton Park (4099 S. 17th St).

This program is free and can be enjoyed by those 3 years of age and older. 

• Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m

• Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m

• Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m

• Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m

• Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m

• Wednesday, August 6, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m

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Come fly by the park to learn all about what it takes to make a jar of honey - from hive to home! Please bring a 4 oz. jar to fill with Halyburton Honey.

Date: TBA
Timeslots: TBA
Cost: Free  

Kids Night Out is coming to Halyburton Park! Enjoy a night off with your friends and family while the park keeps an eye on the kids. Participants can look forward to enjoying a variety of nature activities, a themed walk around the park’s forest, and even indulge in some pizza for dinner.

This program is $5/participant and can be enjoyed by those between the years of 5 -12 years of age.

Dates: TBA

Time: TBA  

In this two-day workshop you will learn the songs and calls of resident and migratory birds. Useful tips, tricks and mnemonics will be provided to help with identification during an afternoon classroom session. You’ll test your newly learned skills the following day with an early morning hike at Carolina Beach State Park. Register here! 

When: May 13 - May 14, 2025 

Cost: $10/Participant

Location: Halyburton Park (4099 S. 17 St)

Click here!

Uncover the park’s secret wildlife in this FREE program! Lift logs to find hidden creatures, take a nighttime walk to learn why bats are nature’s unsung heroes, and decode animal tracks as a nature detective. Pre-registration is required. Ages 5+. All programs run from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.

June 12, 2025 - Frog Calls: Come to the "hop-off" of our Summer Evening Series and learn all about frog calls with the Fort Fisher team!  

July 3, 2025 - Lift a Log: Get a peek into the dirt-covered underground of the park - by lifting logs! 

July 31, 2025 - Bats: Creatures of the Night: Learn about all the important contributions made by our fuzzy flying friends during a nighttime walk.

August 7, 2025 - Signs of Animals: How do we know animals live at the park if we can't see them? Decode the secret signs they leave behind and become a nature detective!

August 14, 2025 - Night Hike & Smores: Finish off the summer with an exploration into the wonderful world of Nature at Night! Participants will enjoy night-themed activities as well as a campfire with smores to close out the summer.

When: Backpacks can be rented Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Must have a form of identification)

What: Each backpack contains lessons, activities and equipment to learn about birds, mammals, insects, nature journaling and ponds. How-to videos with Halyburton Park’s education staff are available online as well as ideas on how and where to explore.

Cost: Freesame day rental/check out

Contact a staff member who will contact you to arrange pickup: Yosha Martinez (Also available at both the MLK and Halyburton Park centers)

A seed library is just how it sounds: it loans seeds to gardeners.  A seed library takes some time and effort to put together, but the way the library works is very simple:

1.  Fill out a Seed Library Membership Form(PDF, 115KB)

2. “Borrow” seeds by filling out Seed Request Form from the library at planting time. Each ‘library cardholder’ may check out up to three packets of seeds per visit.

3.  At the end of the growing season, harvest the seeds from the plants and return a portion of the seeds to the library. Staff will put them into circulation so that everyone can try their hand at growing them.

Location: Davis Center at Maides Park, 1101 Manly Ave.
Seed Library Brochure(PDF, 2MB)

When: Backpacks can be rented Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Must have a form of identification)

What: Each backpack contains lessons, activities and equipment to learn about birds, mammals, insects, nature journaling and ponds. How-to videos with Halyburton Park’s education staff are availableonlineas well as ideas on how and where to explore.

Cost: Free same day rental/check out

Contact a staff member who will contact you to arrange pickup: Mary Jones. (Also available at both the Davis and Halyburton Park centers)