Children’s Programs

Visit our calendar for current programs for children and families.

Homeschool Days
Join Allison Jones and Kendra Vincent on the last Wednesday of each month, for an exciting, hands-on learning experience! Themes change each month, and activities are designed for children ages five and up. However, all ages are welcome to attend. Register at least 2 days in advance.
Contact Allison Jones allisoo@clemson.edu

Junior Gardener: Garden to table
In this new program, participants learn how to grow and then prepare food to eat in the Food For Thought Garden. In the fall session, kids enjoy the summer bounty of the garden by harvesting and preparing summer vegetables in simple, delicious recipes. They also learn how to plant a garden and learn about the nutritional power of fall greens. In the spring session, we’ll plant a summer garden and harvest and eat from our fall vegetables.
Contact Sue Watts at Watts9@clemson.edu

Junior Naturalists
This year’s Junior Naturalist Club, a 4-H program for elementary students (ages 6-12), explores the exciting habitats of South Carolina. From the mountains to the sea, participants will learn about the animals and plants who call this State home, and the landscapes that define South Carolina. Scholarships available.
Contact Sue Watts at Watts9@clemson.edu

The Melody Garden Music Class
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." -Arthur O'Shaughnessy. How about we make music AND dream! Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Rebecca Smith, will inspire you and your seedling or sprout to sing and dance to nature-themed music. Imaginations will soar as your child learns to sing in tune and move to rhythm. Classes are outside on pretty days! Each class ends with an instrument petting zoo! Suggested Ages: Under 6 year
Contact: Rebecca Smith themelodygarden@gmail.com

The Melody Garden: Preschool Musical Hike
Join multi-instrumentalist and children’s songwriter Rebecca Smith for a magical musical nature hike around the Garden! Hike will include short woodland trails, so no strollers please. Stops will include the duck pond, children’s garden, Hunt cabin, and secret whimsical animal friends! Musical instruments provided for this fun-filled hike!
Contact: Rebecca Smith themelodygarden@gmail.com

Summer Camps
Visit our calendar for details.

Garden Discoveries Camp
An exciting summer day-camping adventure for children ages 6-12. Garden Explorations brings nature discovery to life. Why do butterflies like to visit certain flowers? Follow the path of a raindrop! What lives in the garden’s ponds and streams? Children explore the Garden’s habitats through many fun hands-on activities and discover the wonders of the natural world.  
Contact: Sue Watts at watts9@clemson.edu

Mountains to Sea Camp
In this camp, children will explore the various ecosystems of South Carolina. Using the Natural Heritage Garden as our guide, we’ll take a journey from the mountains to the sea, and we’ll discover the interesting plants, animals and people who have called these spaces home throughout our state’s history. Participants will enjoy daily hikes in the Garden, games and hands-on activities as well as visits to nearby historical sites. Take home projects will include hand-dyed shirts, pottery and more! Please register by June 4.
Contact Allison Jones allisoo@clemson.edu

Garden Creativity Camp
In this camp creativity reigns! The Garden is both our palette and media. Craft, paint, draw, and explore many dimensions of the creative spirit. Learn about famous artists who were inspired by the natural world. From painting and sketching to molding clay and natural materials into works of art, children will be encouraged to experiment and to tap their natural creativity. This camp is for children aged 6-12 years old.
Contact: Sue Watts at watts9@clemson.edu

Camp Ice Age
Chill out at this summer’s coolest camp! Get to know some of the giant animals that roamed the earth during the last ice age and learn about glaciers, daily life in a tundra, Ice Age art and more! Campers will learn about different aspects of the Pleistocene each day through stories, games, art, experiments and nature hikes. We’ll also visit the Bob Campbell Geology Museum to take a look at real Ice Age fossils! Please register by July 2.
Contact Allison Jones allisoo@clemson.edu

Time Traveler's Camp
Live the past! History comes alive in this week long camp. Join us at the Hunt Cabin and the survival skills needed in the19th Century. Learn how to build a cabin, cook on an open hearth, track animals, make period clothes and more! In this camp, children will be immersed in South Carolina’s history and learn about the people and cultures that make up the diversity of our state. This camp is for children aged 6-12 years old.
Contact: Sue Watts at watts9@clemson.edu

Family Programs

Clemson Experimental Forest Tours
Join us each month as we explore a different area of the 17,500-acre Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF). These fun and informal walks will expose you to a diversity of natural and cultural resources in the CEF. Meet educator James Wilkins (and special guests!) at a pre-determined location and carpool or follow us on the trail. The Forest never disappoints! Register online or by email at least 2 days in advance.
Contact: James WIlkins jhwilki@clemson.edu

Full Moon Hikes
Experience the sights, sounds and sensations of a full-moon night. Please wear shoes and clothing appropriate for walking in the woods. Flashlights are not needed. Register online or by email at least 1 day in advance.
Contact: James WIlkins jhwilki@clemson.edu

Hunt Cabin Open Houses
Celebrate the diverse history and culture of South Carolina. Programs take participants back to the nineteenth century through hands-on activities and experiences.  Contact: Sue Watts watts9@clemson.edu

Nature Center Open Houses
Explore the wonders of nature in all its glorious complexity and diversity. Fun, hands-on activities for all the family.
Contact: Sue Watts watts9@clemson.edu

Stroller Struts
We will begin with a story and then we’ll set off on a Garden walk, exploring the day’s theme. These free, monthly programs are ideal for preschoolers, but all ages are encouraged to join in the fun!
Contact: Allison Jones allisoo@clemson.edu

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A Great Place to Learn and Grow

The South Carolina Botanical Garden offers a variety of school and group programs designed for elementary-age students. Middle and high school programs are available by request. Learning at the Garden is inquiry-based and designed to engage students. Programs support South Carolina science standards and can be custom-tailored to match a classroom topic.

The following are examples of some of the school and group programs:

• Discovering Flowers

• Plant Partners: Pollinators

• Roots and Shoots!

• From Seed to Harvest

• Butterflies and Ladybugs

• Forest Foray

• Discovering Wildlife Habitats

• Birds in the Garden

• Life Cycles of Organisms

For information on School and Group Tours, click here.

For information on Bob Campbell Geology Museum tours, please visit the BCGM website.