Yes! We are located within Leigh Farm Park, a public City of Durham park, which is free to visit and open daily from dawn to dusk.

Park guests are welcome to visit our Outdoor Raptor Enclosures during park hours. However, if you are with a dog, please keep them away from the enclosures to avoid causing stress to the owls, hawks, and raven that live there.

Until we move to a permanent location, our Reptile Ambassadors and Mammal Ambassadors are housed indoors in enclosures that are not accessible to the public except through a previously scheduled tour.

If you feel called to support our journey toward a permanent Wildlife Center that will be open to the public on weekdays and weekends, please donate.

We are not equipped to accept, treat, transport, or raise injured or orphaned wildlife. We direct anyone who finds an injured or orphaned animal to utilize Animal Help Now‍ or the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Remember: It is illegal under North Carolina law to keep or attempt to raise wildlife without a permit.

Campers should arrive dressed appropriately for the weather and wearing shoes designed for outdoor activities.

When packing for camp, consider including:

• A backpack with a change of clothes

• An extra pair of shoes

• A non-perishable snack and lunch

• A full water bottle

• Sunscreen and bug spray

If you have any questions about what to pack, please email camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.

Please do not bring electronics (iPads, Tablets, Nintendo Switches, ect.), cell phones, or toys. These items are disruptive to the flow of the programs and could be lost or damaged.

Additionally, we provide knives or potato peelers for whittling and no longer allow campers to bring knives from home.

Please call our camp staff at 919-299-0106 if you are late or need to communicate any information regarding your child.

Yes! For a small fee, you can add aftercare, which runs from 3:00 - 5:30 PM.

If you are interested in adding aftercare to your registration, you can add it to your purchase in UltraCamp (our registration system) under Additional Purchases, or you can email camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.

We offer need-based scholarships as well as payment plans.

Please contact camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org with any questions!

We run camp in various weather conditions, but if inclement weather poses a safety risk to campers, Program Managers will decide whether to cancel or adjust drop-off/pick-up times and notify families promptly.

In order to fairly honor staff contracts and ensure our ability to offer safe and quality programming, there will be no refunds or discounts offered for program cancellations due to natural disasters, unsafe inclement weather, or other related circumstances outside of our control.

Yes! You can view our Extreme Heat and Lightning procedures here.

You’re welcome to attend the first day of Homeschool with your child if it helps them settle in. However, we ask that you not attend after the first day to allow campers to build connections with peers and develop independence. If you have concerns about your child's needs being met without you there, please contact camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org before the season begins.

To know where your camper is in on the waitlist for camp or homeschool, please email camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.

If your teen cannot attend one of the Teen Outdoor Leadership camps but wants to be a CIT, please email us at camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org with the details surrounding the situation. In some cases, we can set up for teens to “shadow” other CITs and build experiences that way before becoming a CIT Level 1.

Our Teen Outdoor Leadership (TOL) camps are offered at our Durham, Orange, and Wake locations each summer. As a Counselor-in-Training (CIT), your teen will take on a leadership role, assisting counselors with daily activities and group management. This role brings more responsibility, but also offers opportunities for growth, self-reflection, and mentorship. If your teen has completed our Teen Outdoor Leadership program and wants to continue developing leadership skills, we encourage them to consider becoming a CIT.

Level 1 CITs are expected to connect with campers, assist with program supplies, lead games as they feel ready, and begin to help counselors with group management. They will receive support from counselors on how to step into leadership roles and receive feedback throughout the program. Level 1 CITs have a reduced fee for programming.

Level 2 CITs have more responsibilities and are held to expectations similar to a counselor. Level 2 CITs are expected to lead groups in various ways, participate in program planning, and look for ways they can step up in the community. They will receive feedback throughout the program on how to develop their leadership skills. Registration is required to be a Level 2 CIT but they are volunteers (no registration fee).

Level 3 CITs are paid a stipend and are typically able to perform similarly as a support counselor but may not administer first aid and are not the ones handling difficult situations. They are able to offer guidance to Level 1s and 2s and even start leading larger portions of camp with guidance from counselors.

CITs can advance to the next level by developing leadership skills, such as leading games or activities and supporting counselors. Counselors and coordinators provide feedback to help CITs identify areas for improvement. The progression may take multiple summers.

As CITs progress, they take on more responsibilities. For example, Level 3 CITs receive a stipend and support counselors, guide junior CITs, and lead larger camp activities with counselor supervision.

If available, we appreciate the use of a standard 6-foot table or similar. For presentations to larger audiences, providing a microphone is also greatly appreciated.

Yes! This prevents any confusion or miscommunication. Please also let the front office know where the program will be taking place so they can give our Wildlife Educator(s) directions.

Up to 200 students can attend an assembly program. If there are more than 200 students, we will have to schedule separate programs.

If there are more attendees participating in the program than anticipated, we will adjust payment to accommodate additional participants.

You should receive a confirmation email prior to your program that will have PWC’s office number. Please call the office if you have any day-of concerns.

PWC’s Office Phone: 919-489-0900

Our instructors will walk around with our Wildlife Ambassadors so students can get a closer look at them. If students are set up in two sections with a walkway down the middle of them, the instructor will be able to walk around during the program.

We want you to enjoy and participate in the program too. Please ask the instructor any questions and have fun! We do ask that teachers and chaperones be mindful of their students’ behavior and outline expectations beforehand. While our instructor is teaching, it is very helpful to have an extra set of eyes in the audience for crowd control, especially in assembly style programs.

Ideally, yes. However, if the program coordinator is unable to attend, it is their responsibility to communicate all relevant information to the appropriate parties before the program begins. We also ask that the coordinator remain available by phone during the program in case any last-minute questions, confusion, or miscommunication arise.

Please refer to our Animal Program Policies Page to see how to move forward with a cancellation.

We suggest arriving 15-30 minutes ahead of your program.

If your bus is smaller than a normal school bus, please park in the parking lot to your left once you enter the park. Otherwise, please follow the map attached to your confirmation email and park at the front of the park.

PLEASE NOTE: If you continue down the paved road past the parking lot, there is no turnaround for buses. Please inform your bus drivers prior to arrival. If your bus is a charter bus, we suggest you park anywhere alongside the two-lane road before entering Leigh Farm Park and then walk to the Visitor’s Center. Our roads are narrow and charter buses cannot make the turn into the parking lot.

Please park in the parking lot. If it is full, additional cars may park alongside the road leading into the park.

Students should bring refillable water bottles and wear closed-toe shoes. Prepare for the weather as your program will take place entirely outside. Rain jackets, sunscreen, and bug spray are all highly suggested items to bring for an outdoor field trip!

Yes. If your students will be divided into smaller groups during the program, we recommend assigning those groups before arrival. Having groups established in advance helps the program begin on time and allows us to make the most of our time together, especially with larger groups!

Piedmont Wildlife Center's policy is to make weather-related cancellation and rescheduling decisions by 5:00 PM the day before a program whenever possible.

For afternoon programs, however, we may wait until the morning of the program to make a final decision based on current conditions.

When inclement weather is forecast, we will maintain open communication with your group regarding any changes. Refunds are not issued due to weather; however, we will make every effort to reschedule your field trip. For many programs, we can also bring the experience directly to your school as an alternative to an outdoor visit.

We want you to have a great time on your field trip too! Most chaperones that attend are grateful for the chance to connect back to nature, even if just for an hour! Please ask the instructors any questions and feel free to participate in the program. We do ask that teachers and chaperones be mindful of their students’ behavior and outline expectations beforehand. While the instructor is teaching the program, it’s always helpful to have an extra hand in the audience helping with crowd control.

Chaperones can attend for free. However, we require an estimated head count prior to your visit.

Yes! There are picnic tables on-site as well as a large field for picnicking.

Call PWC as soon as you know you will be running late! We will be able to teach your program for the remainder of the scheduled time once you arrive for no additional late fee. If our schedule allows us to extend your program past the official end time, there is a $25/half hour charge.

Guests should park in the main parking lot, which is on your left as you drive into the park. If this lot is full, you can park in the grass along the road that leads into the park.

Yes! However, due to the impact balloons have on our environment, we ask that you do not bring balloons. If you bring any decorations in, please pack them out too!

Yes! However, please keep in mind that there is not a fridge, microwave, or freezer available for guests. As a result, many guests opt to have pizza delivered.

In general, you can expect to meet 5-6 Wildlife Ambassadors.

If there is a risk of inclement weather, we can reschedule the birthday party or move the party to our indoor Visitor’s Center.

Our backpacking trips are designed to grow with your camper!

The Otter trip is our most introductory-level experience (ages 11-14, 4-5 miles/day), while the advanced trip is designed for older teens (ages 15–17) who already have backpacking experience, covering 4-6 strenuous miles per day with elevation.

Please make sure your camper is registered for the appropriate trip.

Yes. We provide an extensive packing list to ensure your camper has everything they need to be successful on the trail. If cost is a barrier, we will have some gear available at Orientation Nights to rent at no cost.

No electronics are permitted on backpacking trips. This is intentional, as  it is a core part of the experience!

Families will be provided with emergency contact information for the trip leaders before departure.

Each trip has a detailed emergency plan prepared in advance. Our trained instructors will be in contact with the Camp Leadership Team and Executive Director throughout the trip to provide updates and seek assistance if needed.

Yes! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided while on the trail.

However, campers will need money to purchase lunch on the ride home.

Campers are encouraged to bring extra snacks of their own in addition to the provided meals. Each camper will also carry a portion of the group's food and gear, so please leave some room in your pack!

PWC provides a group water filtration system. Campers should bring at least 2 liters of water capacity (bottles) and a 16 oz Nalgene for cold-soaking food. Personal filtration is optional but welcome.

Please make sure all health forms and dietary information are up to date in your registration. Reach out to Rae (rae@piedmontwildlifecenter.org) or the camp team (camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org)  if you have specific concerns.

The last day for refunds has passed for Summer 2026. As a result, refunds are only available if someone from the waitlist is able to fill your camper's spot.