Connecting Children to Nature Initiative

Reptile Day

Come discover and learn about reptiles at Arthur Christopher with our Environmental Education Division.

Stem-Sational - PROGRAM FULL

Is your child continuing with virtual learning and wanting to meet up with other kids? Are they super interested in science? This program will have your kids working in small groups to learn more about science!

Wacky Science - PROGRAM FULL

Learn about various science concepts through crazy experiments with this fun and exciting program!

Into the Arctic

Learn all about the climate in the North and South poles and discover how animals have adapted to survive in the freezing cold! We will finish the class with a craft. Pre-registration is required. 

Tiny Tails

Join us for the cutest environmental lesson ever! Ages 3-5 are welcome to come learn about animals, their habitats, and the environment!

Winter Wonderland

We will learn about all things ice and snow - including the water cycle and how snowflakes form. Children will have the chance to make their very own unique snowflake and paint a holiday ornament! Pre-registration is required. 

December Astronomy Calendar & Information

Dec 13/14: Geminid Meteors

One of the best meteor showers of the year, the Geminids peak on the night of December 13 and early morning hours of December 14, 2020, but will be visible from December 4-16.

How to see a meteor shower?

Dec 14: Total Solar Eclipse

This total solar eclipse will be visible from Chile and some parts of Argentina in the afternoon.

Eclipses in your location

Dec 21: December Solstice

The December solstice will take place at 10:02 UTC. Also known as the winter solstice, it is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year and is called the summer solstice.

What causes seasons?

Dec 21/22: Ursid Meteors

Catch the shooting stars of the last major meteor shower of the year, the Ursids, when it peaks between the night of December 21 and 22, 2020.

What is a meteor shower?

Scavenger Hunt at White Point Garden

Join Hazel Parker staff at White Point Garden for a nature-themed scavenger hunt. We will provide a list of things to discover as you wander around the park. Pre-registration is required to monitor attendance so register by calling 843-958-6485 or online using the activity number below. *This is a weather-dependent activity.  

Journey Stick Adventure!

Discover the history of Journey Sticks and the importance of storytelling through nature in this exploration activity. We will walk through Hampton Park and participants will choose different pieces of nature to tell their own story of their trip through the Journey Stick! RSVP by calling 843-724-7338. 

Shark Tooth Dig

Sift through our dig site at St. Julian Devine Community Center for shark teeth. Learn archaeology basics and about the different shark species we have in the Charleston area. Pre-registration is required by calling 843-724-7350. 

GREEN Friday - November 27, 2020

Parks and Recreation departments from across the country are issuing a challenge: let's turn Black Friday...GREEN! There's never been a better year to head to the park instead of a busy parking lot, and spend TIME, not money.

There will be plenty of time for shopping, but this is our chance to set aside a day just for fresh air and family fun. There's nothing to sign up for, purchase or log. Just follow the page to accept the challenge, and share it with your friends and family to encourage them to join the fun! We will have inspiring activities for you to do as a family. 

There's nothing more precious than these moments together, and no better way to spend them than in the great outdoors.

Join us, and let us know how your family will turn Friday, November 27 GREEN and be sure to share pictures with the hashtag #GREENFriday!

GREEN FRIDAY

Keep Charleston Beautiful Eastside Neighborhood Litter Sweep

Keep Charleston Beautiful Joe Riley Waterfront Park Marsh Cleanup

Oh gosh! Oh no! Where did the reindeer bells go?

Santa and his elves were busy at the North Pole preparing for Christmas Eve when the reindeer decided to practice their route for the big night. While flying over Charleston, Rudolph suggested that they make a stop to pick up a special treat to bring back for Santa and the elves. As they approached downtown Charleston, the reindeer dropped their magical bells in Hampton Park.

SHARE OUR EVENT FLYER!

Santa’s reindeer need your help to find their bells before Christmas Eve! 

During the week of December 5-12, follow the map around Hampton Park to find all nine magical bells. Then, unscramble the word on each bell to reveal what special treat the reindeer picked up in Charleston! 

INSTRUCTIONS
WORD SCRAMBLE WORKSHEET
HAMPTON PARK MAP

FACEBOOK EVENT
Post pictures in our event for a chance to win a holiday prize for your family. Deadline to submit a photo is Saturday, December 12 at 6pm. 

We have just been informed that Santa has misplaced some of the gifts and treats he is supposed to deliver this year!  He has contacted us and asked if we could gather some family’s to search one of our local parks where these items may have been left.  We have been left with coordinates throughout West Ashley Park to help find them.  Each group will use one of our magical, specialized Holiday Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to aid in this investigation.

Date: Sunday, December 13
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Ages: Families (limit 5 people per family)
Fee: $25/City-resident family; $30/non-City resident family
Registration Deadline: Thursday, December 10 at 2pm
Activity #: 282714

REGISTER HERE