Young students aboard the E/V Discovery for an educational boat cruise

K-12 Field Trips

Field trip are booked on a lottery system. Join our teacher email list to be informed of fall and spring lottery application periods. If selected, you will be asked to schedule a date and location for your trip and select up to two programs to complete. Please, keep the following details in mind:

A class aboard the E/V Discovery holding a trawl net and learning how it functions
  • School group programs are offered free of charge.
  • Programs for elementary aged students are available at any location, any month.
  • You may only request to book one grade level from your school.
  • # of Participants per day - Minimum: 15, Maximum: 70
    • Reservations with fewer than 15 students are subject to cancellation.
    • You can book multiple field trip days to accommodate groups over 70 students.
  • The E/V Discovery boat trip is unavailable December 15th through March 1st.
  • We reserve the right to reschedule, modify or cancel programs with proper notification.

Homeschool Groups

We host programs for homeschool students (individuals and groups) throughout the Fall and Spring. Sign up for our homeschool email list to receive notifications about upcoming programs and get first access to registration.

Join our homeschool email list

Field Trip Locations

Aerial view of Fort Johnson on the point of James Island, SC

Fort Johnson
217 Ft. Johnson Rd.
Charleston, SC 29412

An aerial view of the field station, pavillion, and dock at Bennett's Point

McKenzie Field Station
15717 Bennett's Point Rd.
Green Pond, SC 29446

The front of the Edisto Learning Center

Edisto Environmental Learning Center
Oyster Row Ln.
Edisto Island, SC 29438

People walking a sandy path through the marsh out to the beach at Botany Bay

Botany Bay Plantation
Botany Bay Rd.
Edisto Island, SC 29438

Field Trip Programs

Program options may be limited by location and weather.

Programs for All Ages (K-12)

  • Animals of the Estuary
  • Sea Turtle Ecology
  • Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds
  • Salt Marsh Field Study
  • Botany Bay Experience

5th Grade & Above (5-12)

  • Discovery Boat Trip (ages 10+)
  • Squid Dissection
  • Marine Debris
  • Oyster Reef Community
  • Exploring the Unseen World

High School (9-12)

  • Fisheries Management
  • Fish Dissection

Send any questions to marineeducation@dnr.sc.gov