Enjoy Oak Island's beauty from the water!  Guided trips are available through the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department.  Trips last approximately 2 hours and include kayak rentals, paddle, PFD and experienced guides.  Paddle difficulty is easy.

Join Oak Island Parks and Recreation for our series of education programs at both the Oak Island Nature Center and the Oak Island Ocean Education Center! These programs are 1.5 hour sessions for kids that cover a wide array of topics pertaining to the natural world around us, and the varying ecosystems found here in our backyard. on Oak Island. This program is open to all students within the 6-12 age range. For each offering during a month, there will be two sessions: one in the day, one in the afternoon. This is to ensure access for students in our homeschool networks, as well as access for students in public or private education institutions. If you have any questions about this program, please reach out to Jacob Hyle (jhyle@oakislandnc.gov) for more information!

Registration Information:

• For registration, only the student needs to be registered to ensure participation. Parents are welcome to watch the activity, and help assist in learning, but we do ask that no parent registers themselves to ensure accurate numbers. This is not a drop off/pickup program. If you have any confusion or concerns about this, please reach out to Jacob Hyle.

Pricing:

• Residents: $10
• Non-Residents: $12

You'll learn everything you need to take a fish from the surf sand to the frying pan.  In this class, specifically designed for Oak Island anglers, we'll discuss the different fish in our surf and talk about the right rig and bait for the fish you want to catch.  

For more information, call Recreation Programs Supervisor at (910) 278-4747 or email rgordon@oakislandnc.gov

Lights! Camera! Confidence! Acting classes for teens aged 14–18, focused on film-style performance, audition skills, and creative self-expression through scene study.

WHERE: Recreation center

1 DAY PER WEEK 

There will be 4 session dates that are every Tuesday in May

Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

COST: $100 / month

and screen-focused techniques! All in a fun, encouraging space. Taught by Actor & Filmmaker KAMRYN SANDS.

Cardboard Boat Race

When: Saturday, August 1, 2026• 10:00 AM
Where: Dutchman Creek Park • 4750 Fish Factory Road

Helmets are required for youth 12 and under. 
Youth division must be two 12 and under person crew. 
If you have 1 adult and 1 youth you are in the adult division. 
All participants must bring their own life jacket!! 


Objective:
  To build a Dutchman Creek Worthy" vessel; using cardboard, duct tape, and glue that will successfully carry two passengers from a starting line at the kayak launch to the finish line at the end.

Entry Fee:
Donation of at least $10.00 in non-perishable goods (canned food, utensils, ect.), for use in future donation events. 

Schedule

Boat Registration                    10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Boat Introductions                  10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Boater safety briefing             10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Youth Race                             11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Adult Race                              12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Award Ceremony                      1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Conclusion                                2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Time could vary based on participants.

See The Link Below for the EVENT RULES and the participant information and waiver. You can print off the waiver and bring signed to the event. 

2025 Dutchman Dingy reg packet (2).pdf

Share your love of reading with other members of your community with Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department’s Book Club. “Between The Lines” will feature a new book each month for participants to dive into tantalizing discussion as we navigate through a variety of genres. Bring your book, a chair, and some snacks, as we meet at different areas throughout Oak Island, with the Ocean Education Center being our home base. Participants are responsible for purchasing their own copy of their book with pre-registration required. "Between the Lines" will meet monthly from 2:00 -3:00 PM at TBA locations.

This year, after the success of the series last year, we will continue to pick books from our "Crafted in Carolina" collection. This set of books will contain stories that take place in North Carolina or were written by North Carolinian authors. In the past year, we covered several books by several different authors, all with a piece of North Carolina embedded within them, and we are excited to continue this collection in 2026!

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

• Friday, January 16th, 2026 - The Moonshiner's Daughter by Donna Everheart
• Friday, February 20th, 2026 - The Enemy Within by Greg Player
• Friday, March 20th, 2026 - Murder at Whalehead by Joe Ellis
• Friday, April 17th, 2026 - Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
• Friday, May 15th, 2026 - Book Lovers by Emily Henry
• Friday, June 19th, 2026 - The Road to Bittersweet by Donna Everheart
• Friday, July 17th, 2026 - When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash
• Friday, August 21st, 2026 - Gods of Howl Mountain by Taylor Brown
• Friday, September 18th, 2026 - The Caretaker by Ron Rash
• Friday, October 16th, 2026 - A Walk in the Wood by Bill Bryson
• Friday, November 20th, 2026 - Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
• Friday, December 18th, 2026 - Chesnut by Jennifer Li Shotz

For questions, please reach out to Jacob Hyle! (jhyle@oakislandnc.gov)