Carteret County Parks & Recreation

Announcements & News

Come Cruise With Us!

Our next trip will be on May 23, leaving from Fort Benjamin at 8 am taking the ferry route to Aurora and returning over land by approximately 4 pm or slightly later. Registration is $20 per person.

Registration is available at ccpr.recdesk.com

The festival features various activities, including:
Fossil Digging: Explore the fossil pits and discover
your own Miocene-age fossils
Fossil Displays: View exhibits showcasing fossils
from the Aurora Fossil Museum's collection
Live Entertainment: Enjoy music, performances, and
interactive activities
Food and Craft Vendors: Savor local flavors and
shop for unique crafts
Silent Auction: Bid on items to support the Aurora
Fossil Museum
STEM Activities: Engage in science, technology,
engineering, art, and math activities for all ages
The festival is free to attend, but some activities require
paid tickets. Make sure to check the official website for

updates and ticket availability.

For questions please call Darlene at 252-515-3290

Carteret County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp is coming soon! Join us for a summer full of fun, adventures and life long memories! Our camp is based out of Fort Benjamin Recreation Center, earliest drop off is 7:30am and latest pickup is 5:30pm. Field trips throughout the week, games, sports, arts and crafts and so much more! Our camp is for kids ages 7-11 costing $150/week, registration will be opening Monday April 6th. For more information or any questions please reach out to our staff at (252)222-5858 or email Darlene Austin(darlene.austin@carteretcountync.gov) or Jordan Aleixo(jordan.aleixo@carteretcountync.gov).

Summer Camp 2026
Ages 7-11
Location:
Fort Benjamin Recreation Center
100 McQueen Avenue
Newport, NC 28570

Schedule:
Week 1: June 15-19
Week 2: June 22-26
Week 3: July 6-10
Week 4: July 13-17
Week 5: July 20-24
Week 6: July 27-31
Week 7: Aug: 3-7

Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
Full schedule each day including games, crafts, field trips, fun projects, outdoor adventures, sports, movies and more.

EXPERIENCED HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS ONLY

- Ages 14-18

- Singles/Doubles Matches

- Cardio Triples

- Games with prizes

- $5 per participant

Eastern Park - June 19th, 2026, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

June 26th, 2026, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Ft. Benjamin Park - July 10th, 2026, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

July 24th, 2026, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Western Park - August 7th, 2026, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

August 14th, 2026, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

For more information or any questions, contact Lynette Worthington Livingston at mable.worthington@carteretcountync.gov

CROATAN, WEST CARTERET, & EAST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYERS ONLY

- June 13th, 2026

- Ft. Benjamin Tennis Courts

- Start time is 10:00 am

- Ages 14-18

- 6 players minimum, 3 boys & 3 girls, per high school team

- 6 games No-AD sets

- World Team Tennis Rules

- Singles, Doubles, & Mixed formats

- $20 per participant

For more information or any questions contact Lynette Worthington Livingston at mable.worthington@carteretcountync.gov

Coming soon...Hit To Be Fit Tennis Event!

May is National Tennis Month

Come play tennis, the world's healthiest sport, with us!

All abilities and fitness levels welcomed!

May 16, 2026

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Ages 18+

FREE EVENT

Racquet required

Ft. Benjamin Tennis Courts

100 McQueen Avenue

Newport, NC 28570

This tennis event includes Adult Red Ball Tennis & Cardio Triples Tennis. Adult Red Ball Tennis is a modified version of the traditional game that uses lower compression red balls and smaller courts so adults can rally immediately. It's fun for new and experienced players! Cardio Triples Tennis is a 3 vs. 3 players (or more) point rallying using lower compression orange balls and half court rotation. An amazing workout, fast and fun!

For any questions or more information, contact Lynette Worthington Livingston at mable.worthington@carteretcountync.gov

Friday Night Lights is the ultimate evening out for youth ages 10-13! This program is all about giving kids a safe, fun, and exciting place to spend their Friday night with friends!

This event will take place on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, located at Freedom Park, Beaufort, NC, and the cost is $10 per participant.

Join us for our fourth Friday Night Lights event, Blitzball Bonanza! Blitzball is one of the fastest-growing backyard sports trends right now, combining the excitement of baseball with crazy curveballs, home run power, and nonstop highlight plays. What started as a simple backyard game has exploded across social media, with viral clips, competitive leagues, and creators bringing millions of views to the sport. Its easy setup, intense competition, and entertaining style make Blitzball perfect for players of all skill levels.

For this event, we will have teams of 4, battling it out in a 6-team double elimination style tournament. Teams will be made upon arrival!

Basic Rules -

Game Structure: 3 innings, with 3 outs per inning.

Pitching: A strike zone target is used to determine strikes and balls.

Strikes/Balls: A strike is called if the ball hits the target or the batter swings and misses. Three strikes constitute a strikeout, and 4 balls result in a walk.

Whether your kid plays Blitzball already or hasn't tried it yet, this program is a great opportunity to stay active, build friendships, and have fun in a fast-paced and exciting environment. Blitzball brings a unique twist to the game of baseball while helping participants improve teamwork, confidence, and sportsmanship. We look forward to creating a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved!

For any questions or more information, please contact Jordan Aleixo at jordan.aleixo@carteretcountync.gov.

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