Science Field Trips

At Challenge Island®, we understand that true STEAM Education does not take place in a vacuum – rather, it should touch every corner of the curriculum. We believe that inspiring kids to be CURIOUS and INQUISITIVE, while gearing them with GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE and 21ST CENTURY SKILLS, prepares them to thrive in today’s complex, interconnected world.

We are committed to helping students develop a GROWTH MINDSET and COURAGE to TAKE RISKS and MAKE MISTAKES. We infuse this core Mission into every Challenge Island Experience.

Each of our 100+ Project Based Learning Field Trips for K-8 Students uniquely intertwines Challenges with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math as well as other core disciplines. Our field trip specialist will help you identify the island experience that best fits your curricular goals without leaving school grounds!

Shipshape Farm field trips are a guided 90 minute visit to the farm that is tailored to your group’s interests. In addition to the guided 90 minutes – you have access to the barn and picnic areas for 45 minutes either before or after your guided time. (That time is not with the animals)

The guided portion is spent interacting with chickens, goats, ducks, dogs, barn cats, bunnies, and touring the garden learning about the joy of growing plants.

***Field trip group minimum is 10 kiddos.

Cost is $10 per kiddo (A kiddo is 2 years old and up- adults are free)

Check out www.shipshapefarm.com for all the details. Field trips/tours are on Mondays and Fridays only.

Through our classes and camps, we seek to encourage curiosity, community, and creativity within the farm landscape. Our facilities are also available to rent for gatherings and birthday parties, where we would love to help turn your moments into memories. Every day is a good day at Shipshape farm!

Happy Cow Creamery offers an hour-long tour which includes the history of the farm, tour around their pastures and a look inside their milking parlor. The tours are sure to be educational with a touch of good ol’ farm fun!

Engaging students has never been more fun! From interactive exhibits to enriching STEM programs, the Schiele Museum is your educational resource. Your group’s museum admission includes Museum Exhibits, an outdoor Nature Trail, and The Farm.

Visit the Schiele Museum to see how it can be a resource for you!

• Age: Programs are available for all ages, Grades K-12
• Subject: Science, History
• Advanced reservations required. Groups of 15 or more. Teachers and staff leaders are free! (One leader per group of 15 paying participants.)
• Homeschool trips are also available.
• Schiele to Go Outreach Programs

Critter Keeper classroom presentations are a great way to introduce students to the amazing world of arthropods, amphibians, and reptiles. The Critter Keeper can visit throughout Greenville (but will visit outside of Greenville for a higher rate). Base pricing starts at $275.

Field trips are held at Runway Park- walk around the park, watch planes take off and land every five minutes, talk about aviation, and sit inside a Cessna152 aircraft for a familiarization/photo opportunity.

Field Trip would be held outside and is dependent on weather. There is a minimum number of 15 children or minimum charge of $75 for a tour. All tours will meet at the picnic hangar on the right of Runway Park. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays only (excluding holidays) with flexible times between 9:00am- 1:00pm 

• Advanced registration required.
• Subjects: social studies, science, careers
• Groups can add on lunch at Runway Cafe with special group pricing.

The Spartanburg Science Center is a downtown museum with live animal exhibits, an extensive collection of fossils, bones, rocks and minerals, and engaging children’s activities like engineering challenges. With only $5 admission and Free Family Saturdays once a month, put this place on your list to encourage a love of science in your children!

Birthday Parties: Stare at the stars. Play with robots. Create chemical reactions. Spartanburg Science Center adds intrigue to any birthday party! Whether you’re a kid in age or in your spirit of wonder, celebrate with the Spartanburg Science Center for an extra element of surprise and excitement.

Field Trips: Offers standards-based, hands-on science education for groups aged Kindergarten – 8th Grade. Programs can be held at the Science Center, they can come to you, or you can work with them to arrange field trips to natural habitats.

Homeschool: The Spartanburg Science Center offers grade-level field trip programs in all major fields of science, and they are sometimes able to host homeschool family groups on days when not normally open to the public. Contact jschmid@spartanburgsciencecenter.org with inquiries.

Summer Camps: Be on the lookout for STEAM Summer Camps at the Spartanburg Science Center, featuring a wide array of topics for rising K4 through rising 8th grade. Previous camps have covered animals, LEGO Robotics, Minecraft, coding, pre-algebra readiness, the solar system, nature walks, and much more.

Location:

• 200 East St. John Street
  Spartanburg, SC 29306
  864.583.2777

Visit the Spartanburg Science Center website for more information.

Denver Downs Farm, in Anderson (just off exit 19B), hosts weekday fall field trips full of fun and memorable experience on a real working farm. Trips last approximately 2 hours.

Field trips are $12 per person, and students receive one small pumpkin to take home.

Lucky Acres Farm is a small family farm in Townville, SC featuring alpacas. Learn about alpacas and how the farm is run, including what products the alpaca fibers are used to create.

• Age: All ages
• Science, agriculture
• The farm is also home to goats, horses and chickens.

Read our full review of Lucky Acres Farm!

Explore all that Famoda Farm has to offer, take a hayride to the corn maze or enjoy the play areas with a brand new jumping pillow.

• Age: All Ages
• Subject: PE, Science, Nature
• Field trips are available in the fall and run 2 hours long
• Children will be given a small pumpkin
• Picnic Tables available

The museum offers a beautiful display of fossils, minerals, and rocks. Located at Clemson University, the museum houses both geological and paleontological exhibits. In addition, a display of fluorescent rocks that seems like magic will thrill the entire family!

Enjoy 19 different aviation themed mini golf holes. Field trip options include one round of mini golf for each participant, a build your own mini golf hole STEM project, and either a one hour museum tour at the Military History Museum. Or a 20 minute aviation lesson, and an aviation scavenger hunt at the Runway Park.

• Ages: Ages 4 and up
• Subject: PE, problem-solving, science
• Must have over 20 participants to book

Fast casual dining restaurant with burgers, hot dogs, and more. Kids meals come with a cookie token for their bakery. All restaurants include an arcade area.

Take a field trip with a Fuddruckers Fuddcility Tour at any of the Upstate SC locations! See how burgers are made, bake bread, get hands-on, and talk over the microphone. The guided tour is free with your group lunch reservation. Best for ages 4-7, and open to daycares and after-school programs. Contact Benji@myfuddruckers.com or richie@myfuddruckers.com about booking a field trip.

Upstate SC Locations:

• Spartanburg, SC
  1509 John B. White Sr. Boulevard
  Spartanburg, SC 29301
  864.576.8329
• Greenville, SC
  1147 Woodruff Road
  Greenville, SC 29607
  864.234.7528
• Anderson, SC
  100 Destination Boulevard
  Anderson, SC 29621
  864.222.0145

Visit the Fuddruckers website for more information.

2025 TBD

Greyrock Farms and Green Acres Produce provide students with educational dairy tours where students not only learn about dairy farming but also experience it firsthand. They offer spring tours and fall tours.

WNC Nature Center currently offers self-guided tours for school groups (registration required), as well as virtual small group programs, virtual auditorium programs, and recorded programs on various topics that include a live animal guest.

View 60 species of native animals at the WNC Nature Center! Programs are available for groups as small as 10.

• Age: all ages
• Subject: science
• Guided as well as self-guided and in-school programs are available.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park offers a variety of field trip opportunities for students of any age. Check out Chimney Rock for more details.

Book a multi-day field trip through their Adventure Guides program, Family Camp program, and other programs that allow children to learn about nature while learning how to work together as a group.

• Ages: Depends on programming
• Subject: Nature, PE, problem-solving

With Lowes Foods’ From the Field Trips, learn about healthy food, local food and healthy living.

• Age: Programs available for Pre-K through 8th Grade
• Subject: Science, Health/PE
• These field trips are free!
• Register online:
  • 1. Click here
  • 2. Under From the Field Trips, click the “Sign up” link
  • 3. Select your local store’s tab to see available dates
  • 4. Click the “Sign Up” button on the desired date
  • 5. Select an available time slot for your tour
  • 6. Fill out information and click “Sign Up Now!”

A working farm that offers educational field trips around topics like growth, conservation, exploration, human studies, wildlife identification, and cultivation.
Field trips and farm tours are for all ages.

Lake Conestee Nature Preserve offers a wide variety of science and nature field trips and programs.

• Age: Preschool through high school
• Subject: Science and Nature
• Programs include a variety of topics depending on age. Topics include plants, bees, ecology, water quality, and more!
• Programs available include Field Trips, Nature Discovery After School Program (1st and 3rd Thursdays, September – November), Knee-High Naturalists (Ages 2-5 with a parent), and more.
• Home school days are offered throughout the year.

Being the largest aquarium and marine research institute in the country, the Georgia Aquarium offers a variety of educational programs, including live virtual programs for ages K-12.

Learn about amazing raptors at the Carolina Raptor Center. They offer a variety of field trip options with educational programming for groups, as well as homeschool days.
See our review of one Carolina Raptor Center program here.

• Age: All grade levels and programs vary to suit each age group
• Subject: Science
• See these amazing birds up close!

Homeschool Days are occasionally offered. Please contact Carolina Raptor Center for specific dates and times.

Strawberry Hill offers the perfect farm field trip package for schools, homeschool groups, and churches with 20 or more participants. For groups less than 20, they may combine you with another group if available.
The field trip aligns with the South Carolina state standards for preschool through 2nd-grade levels. Students will learn about plant and animal science.

We are a farm, so tell your students to dress accordingly! Remember: dirt + rain = mud.
Light jackets or rain boots/old shoes are recommended. We do not recommend students wearing sandals.

When visiting LushAcres Farm experience a fun atmosphere where you can interact with nature and discover the importance of local farms in your community. Get up close and personal with barnyard animals and experience seasonal activities.

Sky Top offers hands-on, interactive learning for ages 3 – 10 yrs old. Enjoy a wagon ride through the orchard and learn all about apples. Tour add-on options available.

Students will learn about electricty and how it is produced safely. The programs utilize hands on activites as well as movies and brain teaser games, depending on age group.

• Age: Programs are available for elementary through high school students.
• Subject: Science
• Nature trail and picnic shelter is also on the property

 Located just minutes from downtown Greenville, Roper Mountain Science Center is one of the nation’s most unique learning experiences. As a pinnacle of innovative learning, an engine for community engagement, and a national leader in science education, Roper Mountain’s mission is to ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world.

The beautiful 62-acre campus contains an array of state-of-the-art educational facilities including a Planetarium and Observatory, Marine and Ecology labs, a Rainforest, a Living History Farm and a new Environmental Science and Sustainability Center.

Each year, more than 50,000 students, 6000 teachers and 30,000 families experience the latest in explorative STEM education through these interactive exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities. Families can attend numerous events throughout the year including Friday Starry Nights, Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, Laser Days of Summer, Summer Exploration Camps, and seasonal holiday laser shows. Regardless of age, Roper Mountain provides everyone the opportunity to explore, discover, imagine and grow.

Field Trips & School Programs: The South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson offers 45-60 minute school programs intended to support your curriculum and grade level. Homeschool groups can visit as well. Fee is $5 per student. They also offer classes that are perfect for homeschooling families.

Summer Camp Offers: The SC Botanical Garden at Clemson offers week-long summer camps in June and July for kids aged 6 – 12 (8:30 – 3)
2026 Summer Camps in June and July TBD

Learn about BMW’s history and see examples of their past vehicles in this Greer museum. The BMW Zentrum Museum’s hours are 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Guided plant tours are available and great for field trips. Students will have the chance to see how the cars are built, and tours will cover subjects like science, engineering, and history. Plant tours are limited to students ages 12 and up, and closed-toe shoes are required.

Location:

• 1400 SC-101
  Greer, SC 29651
  888.868.7269

Find out more on the BMW Zentrum Museum website.

Paris Mountain offers group hikes and educational programs about nature and the history of Paris Mountain State Park.

• Ages: School Age, plus family programming
• Subjects: Science, History
• Families can enjoy Creek Ranger Hikes in addition to other educational events.

Learn about agriculture at Stewart Farms. Enjoy the pumpkin patch and the corn maze.
Offers field trips and occasional special events for homeschoolers.
Field trips allow students to explore the activities at the farm while learning about pumpkins.

Homeschool Days for fall are September 29th, 2025

Thompson Family Farms in Campobello offers upick tulips in March and pick your own pumpkins in the fall, a fall cut flower garden, a sunflower maze, photo opportunities, and more in September & October.

Pumpkins are pick your own and are precut from the vine in the fields to ensure ripeness.
Open September and October 2025

Spring season hours: Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm;
Admission: $8 admission for ages 12 and older. 11 and under free

Fall season hours: September and October; Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am-7 pm

There are also photo opportunities, workshops, a sunflower maze, and picnic areas.

Field Trips: They have a fantastic field trip program for ages 4 and older that offers farm tours and education on Thursday and Fridays in September and October.

Learn more about Thompson Family Farms in our KA Review about their Three Season of U-pick!

Come learn and explore at Jeter Mountain Farm, take a picturesque ride through the orchard, pick your own apples, learn how their cider is made and discover their 6,000 sqft indoor play area.

The Greenville Zoo is the community’s choice for field trips. A day at the zoo is a day of discovery, offering fun and memorable learning experiences for students K4-12.

Eden farms offers English riding lessons for ages 6 through adult with private or group lesson options. They also offer birthdays, field trips, summer camps and more.

Homeschool at the Barn- Includes an hour long riding lesson or trail ride, learning about life on a working horse farm (grooming, saddling, equine anatomy, feeding and more), horse themed crafts, bible study, snack, and time to play on the new playground.

Field Trips: Eden Farms has offered educational field trips for all ages and sizes including church groups, Scout troops, and schools. Groups rotate through their 40-stall barn to different hands-on horse stations to learn about grooming, saddling, healthcare, horse breeds, feeding, healthcare, and more! Horseback riding, playground, and time for a picnic are also available.

During a field trip to the Pavilion Recreation Center students can tour the facilities and learn about the refrigeration systems that maintain the ice. Students will also be able to enjoy an ice skating or hockey lesson.

• Age: Elementary and middle school students
• Subjects: PE and science
• Meal packages are also available