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Group Programs

You and your group are welcome to visit the Children's Garden and Conservation Station on your own for picnics and play dates! Please notify us in advance of large gatherings so we can add you to the schedule to avoid overcrowding in the Garden.
Education programs are also available to groups upon request. After reading the following guidelines, schedule your group program with Tim Nafziger at (803) 459-3212 or carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com. Programs must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. "A limited number of traveling programs to sites within Richland County are available." 
You will need to provide the following information:
Cost: $2 per participating child for most programs. Parents and chaperones free. Non-participating siblings may explore the Children's Garden (with an adult's supervision) during the program. Pay upon arrival by cash (preferably) or check made payable to Richland Master Gardeners (for Carolina Children's Garden programs) or Richland Conservation District (for Conservation Station programs).
Supervision: Children must be accompanied by an adult (parent, teacher, or group leader) at all times and may NOT be "dropped off" at programs. Parents should be prepared to assist their children with craft activities if needed. Group leaders are encouraged to ask parents to attend programs with their group; programs may be modified for groups with a low adult/child ratio as some crafts require adult involvement to complete.
Group size:Minimum 5, Maximum 15. Group leaders are responsible for regulating attendance at education programs and can set their own group size limits within these boundaries. The group leader can cancel a program up to 24 hours beforehand without penalty. If a program proceeds as planned and fewer than 5 children attend, the group leader will be responsible for paying the minimum supplies fee (at $2 per child, the minimum fee is $10 per program), either by asking other group members to contribute extra or by absorbing the cost him/herself.
Age: Programs are generally geared for elementary school age children, although some can be modified for other ages. The students should be fairly close in age. Suggested age ranges are 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12. If more than 10 children are attending, they must be within a four year age range. Group leaders are responsible for setting and enforcing age limits for programs they request.
Duration: All programs last 45 minutes unless otherwise indicated. If requested in advance, the trading post can be opened for 15 minutes following the program.
Other: Group leaders should be sure all group members receive specific directions to the Children's Garden as first-time visitors often have difficulty finding us. If you will be traveling from areas outside northeast Columbia and/or have several group members who are unfamiliar with the Carolina Children's Garden, please "pad your schedule" to allow time for everyone to gather and sign in before the program begins.
Topics at the Children's Garden*
Recommended for young learners (approx. 45 minutes):
Lessons for Little Leaves. Includes themed story-time, easy craft, and nature walk. Children should be old enough to walk on their own and make basic use of crayons.
Recommended for ages 5 and up (45 minutes):
Topics at the Conservation Station
Forestry - Investigate the life cycles of trees and learn to interpret growth rings. Learn how to indentify common trees in our area.
Geology: What are the different rock types and how are they formed? Learn about the rock cycle and identify samples of South Carolina stones.
Soils: What's the "dirt" on dirt? Explore erosion and soil conservation techniques, and classify soils based on their characteristics.
Water Quality: Why should we be wise about water? Learn about water quality, explore aquatic habitats, and examine some of the creatures that call our states' waterways "home."
Reptiles and Amphibians: Learn about the various reptiles and amphibians that are native to the sandhills. Learn to identify our common species of snakes, turtles, and lizards and learn about their habitats and life cycles.
Tracking: Learn how to discover the signs animals leave behind. Discover what animals have been visiting our tracking pit and make plaster casts of the tracks.

Carolina Children's Garden programs are presented by the South Carolina Midlands Master Gardener Association in cooperation with the Richland County Master Gardener Association. They are funded in part by a grant from the Richland County Conservation Commission. Conservation Station programs are presented by the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District and are funded in part by a grant from the Richland County Conservation Commission.  Both the Carolina Children's Garden and the Conservation Station are sponsored by the Clemson University Sandhill Research and Education Center.  Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, a sponsor and partner of the Carolina Children's Garden and Conservation Station, offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.