MyOutdoorJoy: Education & Adventure

# 🏖️ Memorial Day Weekend on Bear Island

### 💵 Pricing Per Person

• Non‑Members: $125
• Shared Members: $81
• Premier Members: FREE

Spend Memorial Day weekend on Bear Island, one of North Carolina’s top three beach destinations — a peaceful, undeveloped barrier island with a rich history and stunning coastal beauty. Once a segregated island, Bear Island was featured in a 2018 PBS special for its cultural and ecological significance.

This is a weekend to do everything… or nothing at all. Whether you’re joining the group hike, meditating at sunrise, or simply soaking in the salt air, this experience is designed to restore your spirit and deepen your connection to nature.

### 📍 Location

Hammocks Beach State Park
Swansboro, NC 28584

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## 🌅 Weekend Highlights

Saturday

• Check in at 2, 3, or 4 PM at the Visitor Center (Pack lightly — ¼ mile walk on sand to campsite)
• 7 PM Group hike + sea turtle talk
• Movie night under the stars (PG or PG‑13)

Sunday

• Morning yoga + meditation
• Breakfast cooking contest (show & tell style)
• Evening movie

Monday

• Relax or explore until noon checkout

## 🧭 Important Notes

Compass 201: Real Life Navigation
Ready to go beyond the basics? This advanced class teaches you how to combine a compass and a topographic map to navigate confidently in real outdoor environments.

During this hands‑on session, you’ll learn:
• How to use a topo map with a compass
• How to read terrain to locate yourself
• The difference between true north and magnetic north
• How to find items or destinations using only a map + compass

This class is ideal for:
• Hikers wanting to navigate off‑path
• Anyone wanting to increase outdoor safety
• Orienteering beginners
• Hunters, backpackers, and outdoor explorers

Pricing:
Non‑Members: $80
Shared Members: $52
Premier Members: FREE

# 🐾 Trail Safety for Dogs: Essential Skills for Every Outdoor Adventurer

If you hike with your dog, this is a don’t‑miss class. As former search‑and‑rescue members, we’ve witnessed far too many avoidable injuries to pets on the trail — and we’re passionate about helping you prevent them.
Join us for a focused, practical session taught by a veterinarian with specialized experience in trail hiking and canine safety. You’ll learn how to recognize early signs of distress, make smart decisions about trail selection, and keep your dog safe, confident, and ready for adventure.

🌿 What You’ll Learn

• Heatstroke prevention and early warning signs
• Paw protection for rugged or abrasive terrain
• Hydration strategies for active, high‑energy dogs
• Trail readiness and how to pace your dog safely

This class is designed to empower you with the knowledge to protect your dog before problems arise — because nothing matters more than bringing your best friend home safely.

🐕 Important Note
This is a human‑only class. Please leave your dogs/fur babies at home so you can fully focus on learning.

💵 Pricing

• Non‑Members: $65
• Shared Members: $42.25
• Premier Members: FREE

Compass 201: Real Life Navigation
Ready to go beyond the basics? This advanced class teaches you how to combine a compass and a topographic map to navigate confidently in real outdoor environments.

During this hands‑on session, you’ll learn:
• How to use a topo map with a compass
• How to read terrain to locate yourself
• The difference between true north and magnetic north
• How to find items or destinations using only a map + compass

This class is ideal for:
• Hikers wanting to navigate off‑path
• Anyone wanting to increase outdoor safety
• Orienteering beginners
• Hunters, backpackers, and outdoor explorers

Pricing:
Non‑Members: $80
Shared Members: $52
Premier Members: FREE