Registration for 2025 Camps will open on March 1. See below for 2025 dates and themes!

Our summer camps focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts and utilize hands-on experiences and exploration of the great outdoor spaces of the Outer Banks. Each week of camp features a particular theme and runs Monday-Friday, 9 AM- 3:30 PM.  We will accept up to 16 campers between the ages of 10-15 years old each week, June 9- August 8, excluding the week of July 4.  New in 2025 we will also have one camp for teens ages 13-17 the week of August 11-15. The registration fee for all camps is $400 per individual.

Please note, due to various constraints, we are unable to accept any students not within the stated age range by the beginning of the camp session for which they wish to register.

Contact Parker Murphy or call 252-475-5452 for general camp questions. Contact ECU Continuing and Professional Education or call 252-328-9198 for questions about the registration process.

2025 Camp Themes

CSI All Stars

Offered June 9-13

Do you love CSI camps and have difficulty choosing which theme to participate in? If so, this might just be the new camp for you! Campers will participate in the most popular CSI activities and have a chance to chat with experts in the field, during this week-long daytime program. Imagine one day to explore the estuary; one day investigating shipwrecks; another to tap into your “artsy” side;  a day to tinker with renewable energy demos, and another still for a field trip or two! The camp is open to those 10-15 years of age. Each day will begin at CSI at 9:00 AM and will end at 3:30 PM.  

Coastal Kingdoms

Coastal Marine Biology + Ecology Camp

Offered June 16- 20 & July 21-25

Have you ever wondered why some organisms live where they do? Or are you curious about what purpose some species serve? If you answered “YES!” to either of these questions, the Coastal Kingdoms camp is for you. During this week-long daytime program, campers will learn about the makeup of coastal habitats and the animals that call them home through hands-on labs and field trips as well as fun sessions with local marine biologists and ecologists. Coastal Marine Biology and Ecology is a great way to experience our beautiful coastal ecosystems and understand why they are so important. The camp is open to those 10-15 years of age. Each day will begin at CSI at 9:00 AM and will end at 3:30 PM.  

Blue Horizons

Coastal Engineering Camp

Offered June 23- 27 & July 28- August 1

Why do shorelines transform and how can we respond? How can we use renewable natural resources like the motion of the ocean to generate electricity? What makes a structure stand strong in the face of hurricane-strength winds? Find all the answers when you participate in our Insightful Engineering camp! In this week-long daytime program, campers will learn about coastal processes, engineering approaches, and community resilience through the lenses of technology and sustainable practices. Throughout the week, there will be lots of opportunities for hands-on exploration and interactions with CSI coastal scientists and engineers. The camp is open to those 10-15 years of age. Each day will begin at CSI at 9 AM and will end at 3:30 PM.

Legends of the Atlantic

Maritime Archeology + Ocean Exploration Camp

Offered July 7- 11 & August 4-8

What is the Graveyard of the Atlantic? Why are there so many shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast? Are you curious about the documentation and preservation of maritime relics? If these questions pique your interest, then dive on in with us! During this week-long daytime program, campers will learn about maritime archeology and the processes scientists use to understand and document the history of the Atlantic. Campers explore how shipwrecks contain clues to the past, try on dive gear, talk to maritime experts, and even see a few wrecks up close. Legends of the Atlantic  is a great way to delve into our coast’s rich maritime history and understand why it is so important to preserve.  The camp is open to those 10-15 years of age. Each day will begin at CSI at 9:00 AM and will end at 3:30 PM.   

Shapes in Science

Art + Science Camp

Offered July 14-18

Ready to explore the intersection of art and science? Eager to refine your artistic skills while learning about the beauty that exists in our coastal environment? Want to try your hand at something new? Sign up for Shapes in Science to get those creative juices flowing. Through this program, campers will use different mediums such as ceramics, watercolors, and photography, to convey some of the research themes currently present at CSI. At the end of the week, the campers and staff will host a gallery that features the students’ work. The camp is open to those 10-15 years of age. Each day will begin at CSI at 9:00 AM and will end at 3:30 PM.  

Coastal Explorers

Marine Science Technology & Remote Sensing Camp

Offered August 11-15

Dive into the cutting-edge world of coastal research technology in our Coastal Explorers teen summer camp.  During this week-long day camp, campers will explore the use of marine science technology including drones and other remote sensing tools that allow us to better understand our coastal systems. Campers will work with advanced tools, explore marine ecosystems, and learn how technology is revolutionizing ocean and coastal research. From underwater exploration to aerial surveys, this hands-on experience will inspire the next generation of marine innovators. The camp is open to those 13-17 years of age. Each day will begin at CSI at 9:00 AM and will end at 3:30 PM.  

Registration Information

ECU’s Continuing and Professional Education facilitates the registration process for CSI Summer Camps and other CSI programs such as Family Programs and Tours. Their online registration system requires users to create an account for easy checkout. To expedite the camp registration process, we recommend that users set up their account before registering for a program or camp. Use the buttons below to explore CPE’s new webpage for CSI Summer Camps and view a user’s guide to create a new account.

For questions or concerns about the registration process, please contact Continuing and Professional Education at 252-328-9198 or cpe@ecu.edu.

Cancellation Policy

CSI Camps follow the policies and guidelines set by Continuing and Professional Education, including the information provided below. For a full explanation of policies, please visit cpe.ecu.edu/registration/policies-procedures/.

If CPE cancels a course, you will receive full reimbursement of the course fee or you may request a tuition transfer to another course within a 12-month period. When selecting a different course, participants will be responsible for any difference in tuition cost at the time of the request or in some cases a participant may receive a credit on file.

Course registration is complete once payment is received. Course fees are payable in advance. Registration is not complete and will not be confirmed until we receive full payment. All registration fees must be paid prior to attending the course. If payment has not been received by the deadline, registrations will be canceled.

To request a refund, participants must submit a course withdrawal request electronically to cpe@ecu.edu at least 10 business days prior to the program start date. Participants may choose to transfer into another course in lieu of a refund, provided space is available in the other course. If the request to transfer is received 2 weeks before the course begins, there will be no charge to complete the transfer. If the request is received less than 2 weeks before the start of a course, there will be a late transfer fee of $50.

If a participant is unable to attend a face-to-face or residential course, they may request a refund or transfer to another course. They may also request a substitution. Unless otherwise noted on the program registration page, the deadline for canceling a registration is 10 business days prior to the course start date. If the Office of Continuing and Professional Education receives notification by email at cpe@ecu.edu or by mail before the deadline, it will:

1. Reschedule the student in a future course, or
2. Refund the course fees (minus $25.00 administrative fee).

Requests received beyond the deadline will receive no refund.

Please include the participant’s full name and address, registration details for the course to be canceled (i.e., course code, title, and dates), whether the request is to reschedule or receive a refund, and a daytime phone number where the Office of Continuing and Professional Education can contact the participant or company contact for billing questions.