If you are interested in reserving an Environmental Education program for Fall 2024/Spring 2025, please complete the online registration request form below.
Help your students discover their place in nature and nature's place within themselves. At Saluda Shoals Park, our Rangers are enthusiastic teachers guiding young learners as they discover the beauty, wonder, and intricacies of the natural world. So, whether you're looking for a lesson on life science, physical science or earth science, our 400-acre classroom and qualified staff can spark the spirit of discovery in students and teachers alike. Come experience the wonder of nature where we put science in the hands of students!
Our programs are inquiry-based and developed to address and meet the new South Carolina and National Science Standards. Programs may include some or all of the following components: a field study, interactive hike, STEM activities, low ropes/challenge course elements, and themed games.
- $60 program minimum
- Seasonal changes to our habitats might affect the field studies listed resulting in possible program and field study modifications. All programs will still meet standards and be fun!
- Teachers and chaperones attend at no additional cost.
- One teacher must be with each class.
- Additional chaperones are welcome.
- A 1:10 ratio per class is required.
- Each program is designed for up to 25 children.
- Program capacity is up to 150 students per day. Staff can run three programs at one time with two rotations to accommodate larger groups of students or a whole grade level.
Scheduling Your Environmental Education Program
- Advanced reservations are required! Reservations are accepted in the order they are received.
- For more information, call 803-213-2055, M–Th, between 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- To schedule a program, please complete the Program Request Form and email it to rkennerly@icrc.net.
- April and May are peak months so schedule early!
CHECK OUT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BROCHURE
Homeschool Adventure Learning
Join park rangers for this monthly environmental education program designed for homeschool students! New topics each month! Preregistration required.
- Ages 5–7 or Ages 8–12
- $6/per student
Preschool Environmental Education Program
This one-hour program for preschool institution/childcare centers includes a sensory story, interactive hike, science lab, and a themed game. Program choices are Terrific Turtles or Brilliant Birds.
- Ages 2–4
- $4/per student
Special Needs Environmental Education Program
This one-hour program, Sensing Our Wild Habitats, includes sensory exploration stations, an ADA accessible hike, fish traps, live specimen interactions, and Leo's Landing shelter for lunch.
- Ages K–12
- $4/per student
Custom Programs
Custom programs are available for school or education groups. For more information, call 803-213-2055.
- Ages K–12
- $40/fee plus per student price
SC Science Standard Based K-12 School Programs
These 1.5 hour programs include a field study, interactive hike, STEM activities and themed games. Topics are based on grade and standards. Teachers and chaperones attend at no additional cost. A 1:10 ratio per class is required and one teacher must be with each class.
Elementary School Programs
Programs include a field study, interactive hike, STEM activities and themed games.
- 1.5 hour program
- $6/per student
- Nature Investigators Activity Boxes- $40 flat rate rental for use during program
- Program Extension - $2/additional per student
| Grade | Title | Standards | Field Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Wild Ways of the Woodpecker | K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3 | Bug nets and forest bug traps |
| 1st Grade | Growing Up in the Meadow Habitat | 1-LS1-1, 1-LS1-2, 1-LS3-1 | Bug nets and meadow/aquatic crate traps |
| 2nd Grade | Dragons in the Sky and Dragons in the Water | 2-LS2-1, 2-LS2-2, 2-LS4-1 | Net dipping and aquatic crate traps |
| 3rd Grade | Traits of Survival | 3-LS1-1, 3-LS2-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS4-3 | Net dipping and fish traps |
| 4th Grade | Wetland Habitat Exploration | 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2 | Net dipping |
| 5th Grade | Life and Decomposing in the Riparian Forest | 5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1 | Cover boards and pit traps |
Middle School Programs
Programs include a field study, low ropes/challenge course elements, STEM activities, and themed games.
- 1.5 hour program
- $8/per student
- Nature Investigators Activity Boxes- $40 flat rate rental for use during program
- Program Extension- $2 additional per student
| Grade | Title | Standards | Field Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Grade | Weather, Water, Watersheds | 6-ESS2-2, 6-ESS2-4, 6-ESS3-2 | Net dipping and aquatic crate traps |
| 7th Grade | Bass, Bears, and Ecosystem Balance | 7-LS2-1, 7-LS2-2, 7-LS2-3, 7-LS2-4 | Net dipping and fish traps |
| 8th Grade | Day in the Life of the Riparian Hawk | 8-LS1-4, 8-LS1-5, 8-LS4-4 | Net dipping and cover boards |
High School Programs
- 1.5 hour program
- This is a green jobs introduction class. Students will become a forest and wetland ecologist for a day.
| Title | Standards | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest/Wetland Ecologist | B-LS2-1, B-LS2-2, B-LS2-6, B-LS2-7, B-LS4-2 | Includes land-based forest health ecology studies | $6/per student |
Trout Release Day Program
This program is coordinated with SC DNR Trout in the Classroom program and covers the importance of Riparian Habitats on the Survival of Trout.
- 1.5 hour program
- Grades K-12
- $6/per student
Outreach - School Yard Investigators: A Nature Mystery
This 45-minute program includes school yard field study, STEM activities, and science-based mystery game.
- Grades K-5
- Up to 25 students per class
- $100/per class plus travel fee (Travel fee = round-trip mileage : 0-15 miles at $15, 16-30 miles at $30, 31- 45 miles at $45)
- Schedule of multiple classes will be coordinated with park ranger and teacher to be as efficient as possible
Virtual Education Program - Are You Smarter than a Park Ranger?
This 30–45-minute program includes a meet and greet with a park ranger and biofact quiz game. For up to 25 students.
- Ages K–12
- $30/30 min.; $45/45 min.
Guided Nature Walks
This one-hour program includes a park ranger guided walk through Saluda Shoals Park's many habitats and trails. Students learn about the unique plants and animals that call the park home. Educational content can be adjusted to any age level. The park also offers a "no walk" version of this program that includes an hour of biofacts.
- Ages K–12
- Up to 25 students per class
- $50/per class
Native Plant Database
Retired Saluda Shoals Park environmental education director Jeanette Wells has spent many years and countless hours cataloging plant species at Saluda Shoals Park. She has developed a comprehensive database of native plants complete with photos and detailed information. With help from the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, this database has been published.
Jeanette will continue to update and add to the information and welcomes photographs of plants in the park to add to the database. Photos can be emailed to wells0412@gmail.com and the photographer will be given credit for photos on the database.
To view and learn more about native plants species at Saluda Shoals Park, please visit the link below.
