Brookgreen Gardens Homeschool Explorers Program
The Homeschool Explorers Program at Brookgreen Gardens offers children aged 5 to 13 years an exciting and educational experience. Each themed session features hands-on, standards-based lessons about nature, history, and art. Activities may include tours of exhibits, live animal presentations, S.T.E.M. challenges, and creative crafts to take home.
Program Details:
Age Range: 5 to 13 years
Parent Participation: Parents are required to actively participate with their children throughout the program.
Registration: Opens at 12:01 a.m. on the Wednesday, two weeks before the program date (e.g., September 27 for the October 11 or 12 programs).
Program Fee: $7.00 per student (Member discounts do not apply).
Parent Admission: One parent/teacher per family attends for free.
Age Restriction: No children under 5 years old or over 13 years old are allowed to attend.
Capacity: Limited to 50 participants (students and parents). Pre-registration is required—no walk-ins will be permitted.
Payment: Payment is due at the Admissions Plaza on the program day. Please bring your receipt to the registration table at the Lowcountry Center Complex.
Registration Process:
Please submit one registration form per family online via the "Register Here" link below.
If you are unable to attend, please notify us by emailing jcirino@brookgreen.org so that we can accommodate a family from the waiting list. Repeated no-shows without notice may result in being red flagged for future programs.
Program Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Gate opens at 9:30 a.m.)
Homeschool Explorers Spring 2026
Location: Leonard Pavillion | Time: 10:00AM – 12:30PM
February 11-12
Full STEAM Ahead
Join us for an exciting day filled with STEAM Challenges! We will explore different avenues of STEAM through interactive engineering and science challenges and of course a fun and creative art project. This program encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation in a dynamic learning environment.
4-PS3-4. Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
5-PS1-4. Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
March 11-12
Backyard Safari
Join us for a Backyard Safari at Brookgreen Gardens! Explore the amazing native animals in our Lowcountry Zoo while learning what makes a habitat a true home for wildlife. Through guided zoo exploration and interactive discussions, participants will discover how animals meet their needs, why habitats matter, and how animals survive in different environments. We will also meet an amazing animal up close!
3-LS4-3. Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can thrive, struggle to survive, or fail to survive.
3-LS2-1. Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
April 15-16
Wildflowers and Gardening
Celebrate spring and learn about Wildflowers and Gardening! Students will discover how plants grow, what they need to thrive, and why plants are essential to healthy ecosystems. Participants will also learn good gardening habitats, plant their own seeds to take home and grow, and enjoy a special tour of one of our beautiful gardens to see what’s blooming. This program blends science, observation, and hands-on learning to inspire young gardeners!
2-LS2-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to determine what plants need to grow.
4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function together in a system to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
May 13-14
Super Seashore
Dive into the exciting world of the Super Seashore and discover the wonders of ocean life! Students will learn about sea creatures, their unique traits, and the habitats they depend on to survive. Through engaging activities and discussions, participants will explore ways we can all help protect our oceans. This program inspires environmental stewardship while building a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems.
3-LS3-2. Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment.
5-ESS3-1. Evaluate potential solutions to problems that individual communities face in protecting the Earth’s resources and environment.