School is going to be quite different in 2020 — and likely beyond. Now, families are on the hunt for ways to engage and educate kids during this time of social distancing and remote learning. Field trips are a great way to reboot the old school homeschool model, getting kids out of the house and into the world. When everyone has cabin fever, a field trip can spark imaginations and teach the whole family about history, heritage and culture.
Some destinations aren’t as loaded with field trip material, but South Carolina is home to many sites that highlight the amazing, ongoing story of the Palmetto State.
See below for a sampling of fun educational SC field trips for kids of all ages:
- Fort Sumter National Monument, where the Civil War began in 1861, stands at the entrance to Charleston Harbor and is only accessible by boat. This historic spot is open daily for tours, or visitors can roam about freely. More info.
- Famous movies like "The Notebook" and "The Patriot" have filmed scenes at the beautiful Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner — and once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. Here, field trippers will enjoy picturesque views along 3.5 miles of walking/hiking paths which loop through the swamps and gardens. More info.
- Arabella Farm features two- and four-hour interactive agricultural experiences led by real teachers and knowledgeable volunteers. Stations can be tailored to grade levels and interests. Options include an observation beehive, milking a cow, making butter from cream, enjoying the petting zoo, aquaponics gardening, apple picking (in season), fun on the Farm’s Playground, mushroom cultivation, gem mining and solar energy. More info.
- Congaree National Park is one of the state’s natural treasures — so much so that Congress redesignated it as a National Park in 2003. The park is home to the largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent. Visitors will experience national and state champion trees, towering to record size amidst astonishing biodiversity, while walking, paddling or just relaxing within this dynamic floodplain ecosystem. More info.
- ARTworks is a county-wide Community Arts Center, Gallery & Theater located in Beaufort Town Center. ARTworks is the home to the offices of the Arts Council of Beaufort County, 11 Resident Artists, a professional art supply store, and a community gallery, theater, and workshop space where quality artists and educators share their artform in a safe and family-friendly environment. More info here.
- Thirty historic structures, ranging from the 1760s through the 1800s, are preserved in Historic Brattonsville, offering a trip back in time to see life as it was for Scotch-Irish immigrants. More info here.