Elementary K-5

Dawn of Freedom

Learn about the role of the Freedman’s Bureau immediately following the Civil War and gain an understanding of what life was like for newly freed people during early reconstruction in Charleston, SC.

Program Length: 90 minutes
Grade Levels: 5
Fee: $130 per group of up to 25 students
Location: McLeod Historic Plantation Site

Secrets in the Sand

Beach combing provides beautiful shell treasures, but these animal homes have a history. Explore the food web of the creatures commonly found in our local waters. Students have the opportunity to use shovels and strainers to search for their own beach animals to observe and release. This program complements Barrier Island Ecology.

Program Length: 30 minutes
Grade Levels: Preschool - 5
Fee: $75 per group of up to 25 students
Locations: Folly Beach County Park, Kiawah Beachwalker Park, and Isle of Palms County Park

Native Americans of Coastal South Carolina

Explore Native American culture of coastal South Carolina at the time of European settlement. Handle and use reproduction artifacts, like bows and traps, to learn how local tribes successfully used natural resources available to meet their needs.

Program Length: 60 minutes
Grade Levels: K-5
Fee: $100 per group of up to 25 students
Locations: James Island County Park, Wannamaker County Park, Palmetto Islands County Park, Caw Caw Interpretive Center

Seining the Sea

Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission staff will pull a net through the surf to catch fish, crabs, jellies, and other sea life. Students will have the opportunity to observe these creatures before they are released.

Program Length: 60 minutes
Grade Levels: 1-8
Fee: $100 per group of up to 25 students
Locations: Folly Beach County Park, Beachwalker County Park, Isle of Palms County Park

Barrier Island Ecology

Students of ecology study the relationship between organisms and their environment. In this program, we will do just that on a barrier island. Participants will build barrier islands out of sand, collect animals in the swash zone, and use a seine net to collect fish in the ocean. Through these activities, students will gain an understanding of the ties that link living things with their environment.

Program Length: 90 minutes
Grade Levels: 3-8
Fee: $130 per group of up to 25 students
Locations: Folly Beach County Park, Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Isle of Palms County Park

Salt Marsh Ecology

The salt marsh is a dynamic and fascinating habitat. Students will become familiar with common plants and resident animals, sample phytoplankton, and gain an appreciation of this unique environment through hands-on exploration.

Program Length: 90 minutes
Grade Levels: 3-8
Fee: $130 per group of up to 25 students
Locations: James Island County Park, Palmetto Islands County Park

Pond Poking

Explore the adaptations to fresh water of the plants and animals that live in fresh water ponds. Use dip nets to observe insects, fish, amphibians, and plants before releasing them. Not available at Wannamaker.

Program Length: 30 minutes
Grade Levels: Preschool - 5
Fee: $75 per group of up to 25 students
Locations: James Island County Park, Palmetto Islands County Park

Habitat Chat

The Ravenel Caw Caw Interpretive Center encompasses several habitats. Students are guided through an investigative activity-based experience. The flora and fauna of a distinct ecosystem will be identified. Samples will be gathered from the area for further observation in the lab.

Program Length: 90 minutes
Grade Levels: 1-5
Fee: $130 per group of up to 25 students
Location: Caw Caw Interpretive Center

Birds

Take a close look at beaks, feet, eggs, and feathers. Beginning birders will use binoculars to observe birds in the park and search for bird behaviors such as flight, bathing, and feeding. The unique characteristics of birds that make them suited to so many areas will be explored.

Program Length: 60 minutes
Grade Levels: K-2
Fee: $100 per group of up to 25 students
Locations: Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Palmetto Islands County Park, James Island County Park, Wannamaker County Park

Plants for Primary Grades

Students become familiar with how the structures of plants help them survive and grow in their environments. A plant walk will explore the historical role of plants and time with microscopes encourages a close investigation of plant parts.

Program Length: 60 minutes
Grade Levels: K-2
Fee: $100 per group of up to 25 students
Locations: Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Palmetto Islands County Park, James Island County Park, Wannamaker County Park

Carolina Indigo

Experimented with by Eliza Lucas Pinckney, an enslaved man named Quash, and others, Indigo was an important but short lived cash crop in South Carolina. Investigate the science behind this “magic” dye, learn how enslaved men and women cultivated and processed it, and try your hand at dyeing your own t-shirt.

Program Length: 60 minutes
Grade Levels: 3-5
Fee: $100 per group of up to 25 students
Location: Caw Caw Interpretive Center or McLeod Plantation Historic Site
Participants should bring a cotton t-shirt to dye

Characteristics of Organisms

The Caw Caw Interpretive Center is a wonderful place to study the diversity of the natural world. Students become familiar with how the traits of plants and animals allow them to survive in specific habitats and ecosystems.

Program Length: 90 minutes
Grade Levels: 4
Fee: $130 per group of up to 25 students
Location: Caw Caw Interpretive Center

Custom Program

Charleston County Park educators will customize programs to meet specific learning objectives. Call 843-762-8015 to arrange a custom tour or program.