Social Studies and History 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!

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!

A field trip to the Greenville County Museum of Art provides an exciting way to enhance your curriculum and expand student learning.

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.

Education and Field Trips: Hagood Mill offers tours of the 176-year-old mill, the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site, blacksmith shop, and moonshine still. Children may watch demonstrations by local artisans, participate in hands-on activities, and experience workshops. There are several field trip options including one-day or multi-day trips, traveling field trip shows, and virtual field trips.

Summer Camp Offers: Camp Hagood offers summer camps annually
Ages: 3rd grade – 9th grade are welcome
There will be outdoor adventures, storytelling, craft demonstrations, arts, music camps, and more.
2026 summer camp dates TBD

The Biltmore offers group tours for homeschool and school groups, as well as educational programming in their barn.

• Age: A wide variety of programming is available for different ages
• Subject: Program can include: Social Studies, Science, Math, English Language Arts, Information Skills, Healthy Living, Visual Arts

Upcountry History Museum offers a variety of programs that consist of a visit to the History Lab and exploring the Exhibit.

• Age: K5 – 12th grade
• Subject: History
• Also offers homeschool programming monthly

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!

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.

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.

Book a tour with a docent or just explore the museum by yourself! Tours generally last an hour and are best for Kindergarten through Highschool, or homeschool groups.

Homeschool: Museum and Gallery at Bob Jones University host Homeschool Days monthly for students ages 5-14 years old. Classes are at 9:30 am and 2 pm. Parents may check their child in and leave or stay for a discounted lesson. Classes are held in the Mack Building on the campus of Bob Jones University.

Field Trips: Tours are available for K-12 classes of selected collections on display on the campus of Bob Jones University including: a closer look at American artist Benjamin West during the Revolutionary War and experiencing ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Hebrew cultures as far back as 3200 BC! Learn more about tours!

Museum on the Move brings museum learning to your K-12 classroom by integrating art with the core subject areas and meeting SC state and national standards.

Tours and group reservations are currently limited in number, so please contact the farm before submitting a form to visit.
Carl Sandburg Home also offer online virtual lessons. These are not live presentations, but rather virtual lesson plans. Students can learn about the Sandburg family and the significance of Carl Sandburg’s writing. Here are the virtual lesson plans.

This historic estate of poet Carl Sandburg in nearby Flat Rock, NC offers a 1-2 hour educational tour for groups that include writing activities, house tour, and farm visits.

• Age: Kindergarten through high school
• Subject: Writing, poetry, language arts, history, social studies, science
• Homeschool trips are also available.

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.

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

 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.

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

Spartanburg County Historical Association offers tours and living history activities at several historic sites one Friday per month.

• Age: Programs are modified to serve the age group
• Subject: Social Studies/History and English Language Arts
• Sites include Walnut Grove Plantation and Seay House

Learn the history of Greenville’s own “Shoeless Joe Jackson” You will find artifacts of all sorts including photos, videos, and sports memorabilia that tell this baseball star’s story.

• Age: All ages
• Subjects: PE, history
• Private tours can be arranged, open to the public only on Saturdays from 10am-2pm