Discovery Days programs are designed to encourage the next generation of learners and leaders to be good stewards of our natural resources through hands-on, immersive learning in the fields of Life Science, Physical Science and Earth Science. Discovery Days activities are led by an experienced environmental educator and/or certified naturalist and include

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• A classroom lesson to establish the principle, introduce vocabulary and share bio-facts
• An interactive S.T.E.M. based component including hands-on activities specific to lesson
• An interpretive hike to specific habitats and/or historic sites within the camp
• An animal encounter highlighting relevant principles or concepts

 

Program Fee Information

 

Discovery Days programs are $15 per child and last up to 4 hours, including a 30-minute picnic lunch. A minimum of 24 students and a maximum of 80 students per day is requested. Small groups (48 or less) provide the best opportunities for hands-on learning. Multiple days can be reserved to accommodate entire grade levels.

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Scheduling Your Visit

 

Step 1: Choose the field study that is right for your students. Most programs offered can be customized to fit the needs of any group.

Step 2: Call Camp Discovery at 803-754-2008 to check for date availability.

Step 3: Sign and return the Program Reservation Agreement along with your $50 deposit to secure your date!

 

Discovery Days Programs (Grades 1 - 5) 

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AMAZING ADAPTATIONS

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Do you know what animals live in South Carolina and why? This field study is an immersive hands-on experience that involves classifying animals, identifying physical adaptations, and field investigation to better understand the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. Students explore how organisms are interconnected and the ways they impact our environment.

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2nd Grade Standards: 2.L.5A.2, 2.L.5B.2, 2.L.5B.3; 2.L.5B.4
3rd Grade Standards: 3.L.5A.1, 3.L.5A.2; 3.L.5B.1; 3.L.5B.2;
4th Grade Standards: 4.L.5A.1; 4.L.5A.3; 4.L.5A.4, 4.L.5B.1, 4.L.5B.3
5th Grade Standards: 5.L.4A.1; 5.L.4A.2; 5.L.4B.1; 5.L.4B.2;5.L.4B.3; 5.L.4B.4

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HAPPENING HABITATS

 

Using all of our senses, we embark upon habitats large and small in the diversity of the Camp’s forest. From seeds to fallen logs, students will learn about trees, their life cycle and how they provide a habitat for different plants and animals. Students explore distinct habitats within a forest ecosystem and observe many of the different organisms adapted to living there.

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1st Grade Standards: 1.L.5A.1; 1.L.5B.1; 1.L.5B.3
2nd Grade Standards: 2.L.5A.1; 2.L.5B.1; 2.L.5B.1;  2.L.5B.2; 2.L.5B.3
3rd Grade Standards: 3.L.5A.1; 3.L.5A.2; 3.L.5B.1; 3.L.5B.2
4th Grade Standards: 4.L.5A.1; 4.L.5A.2; 4.L.5A.3; 4.L.5B.1; 4.L.5B.3
5th Grade Standard: 5.L.4A.1; 5.L.4A.2; 5.L.4B.1; 5.L.4B.3; 5.L.4B.4

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RACE FOR SURVIVAL

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In the natural world, limiting factors like the availability of food, water, shelter and space can determine a plant or animal’s survival. Using structured, outdoor problem-solving activities, students will embark on a simulation of outdoor survival at Camp Discovery. Along the way, students will work together in teams to survive various learning tasks, learn how biotic and abiotic factors come into play in a terrestrial ecosystem, and use critical thinking skills to ultimately be rescued. NOTE: designed to foster leadership, problem solving and communication skills

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5th Grade: 5.L.4A.1; 5.L.4A.2; 5.L.4B.2; 5.L.4B.3; 5.L.4B.4

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SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS

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Plants behave in some oddly intelligent ways from fighting predators to growing 'landing-strips' to attract and spread their pollen! Through exploration in the fields and forests of Camp Discovery, students investigate the extraordinary ways that plants grow, reproduce, and adapt for survival in different environments.

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1st Grade Standards: 1.L.5A.1; 1.L.5A.2; 1.L.5B.1; 1.L.5B.2; 1.L.5B.3
4th Grade Standards: 4.L.5A.1; 4.L.5A.2; 4.L.5B.2

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THE DIRTY DETAILS

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Are you ready to get your hands dirty? Students will explore and classify soil components of different types of soil and conduct a critter search to reveal the importance of soil health to whole ecosystems. Students learn about the slower, natural processes that change our environment and compare them to the faster and sometimes disruptive effects of human impact.

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3rd Grade Standards: 3.E.4A.1; 3.E.4A.3; 3.E.4B.2;  3.E.4B.3; 3.E.4B.4

 

UP A CREEK

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Let’s explore the complex feeding relationships and transfer of energy in a freshwater ecosystem! Students are immersed in the biodiversity of the creeks of Camp Discovery. Through collection and classification of aquatic insects and amphibians, students compare and contrast living organisms to learn the behaviors, processes and adaptations that allow them to survive.

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4th Grade Standards: 4.L.5A.4, 4.L.5B.1, 4.L.5B.3
5th Grade Standards: 5.L.4A.2; 5.L.4B.1; 5.L.4B.2; 5.L.4B.3; 5.L.4B.4

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Don’t see a topic that fits exactly for your grade level or unit of study?  Call our program office at 803-754-2008 or email info@campdiscoverysc.org and we will work with you to create a lesson for your students.