specialty classes

ABOUT

If our current offerings don't meet your needs, we can customize a field trip to complement your classroom.

See our specialty class offerings below, which focus on the three core pillars of Magnolia: History, Horticulture, and Nature. Our STEM/STEAM offering combines these pillars, providing students the opportunity to engage with vibrant ecosystems, discover Lowcountry history, and immerse themselves in a hands-on learning experience that brings the natural world and history to life!

Specialty tours are available for an additional fee per student. Please contact us for current pricing details.


Close-up of a sleeping raccoon's paw with sharp claws on a soft surface.

NATURE

Adaptations in Action

Grade: 2 & up
Length: 1 - 1.5 hours
Max group size: 30 per tour

Students will explore the biology, behavior, and habitats of birds and reptiles on Magnolia’s expansive property. After a brief introduction to survival traits and adaptations, they'll head outdoors to nearby wetland wildlife refuges to observe and identify native reptiles and birds in their natural environment. This hands-on experience blends classroom learning with real-world exploration, making it ideal for teachers, scouting groups, and homeschool families. Students will also collaborate to create a food web based on the ecosystems they studied. The workshop can be combined with a visit to the Wildlife Center.

A white bird, possibly an egret or heron, standing on a branch of a green tree in a forest setting.

NATURE

Birding for Kids

Grade: 2 & up
Length: 1 hour
Max group size: 30 per tour

Birds come in many shapes and sizes, and spotting them can be challenging. In our renowned birding areas, students will learn to locate and identify birds, observe adaptations, and explore how energy flows through food webs. They'll also discover ways to contribute to scientific research through citizen science initiatives

Lush garden scene featuring a tree with Spanish moss, vibrant pink and red flowers, and a small pond with green lily pads.

HORTICULTURE

Garden Sensory Walk

Grade: K - 12
Length: 1 hour
Max group size: 30 per tour

Students will join us for a one-hour sensory walk through our world-renowned gardens, engaging all five senses. Led by a tour guide, this immersive experience invites discovery as students explore plant adaptations, the role of pollinators, and energy transfer in ecosystems, all enhanced by a fun scavenger hunt bingo game. 

Bee pollinating purple flowers on green plant, blurred green background.

Horticulture

Super Heroes of the Garden:

A Pollination Adventure

Grade: 2 & up
Length: 1 hour
Max group size: 30 per tour

Birds come in many shapes and sizes, and spotting them can be challenging. In our renowned birding areas, students will learn to locate and identify birds, observe adaptations, and explore how energy flows through food webs. They'll also discover ways to contribute to scientific research through citizen science initiatives.

Assorted pottery shards and a coin on a white background.

HISTORY

Visual Literacy with Art &

Artifacts from the Plantation

Grade: 1 & Up
Length: 1 Hour
Max group size: 30 per class

In this class, students will explore art and objects from the plantation era, developing visual literacy and learning to "read" images and artifacts. Taught in our Magnolia Workshop classroom, students will engage in observation and guided discussion to uncover the stories behind these objects, gaining a deeper understanding of history. They will also practice the career and college skills of a historian, building critical thinking and research skills while discovering the power of visual storytelling.

Vintage illustration of a steamboat docked at a river, with people in period clothing standing on the shore, surrounded by trees and greenery.

HISTORY

Decoding the Past:

Primary Source Analysis

Grade: 5 & Up
Length: 1.5 Hour
Max group size: 30 per class

Taught in our Magnolia Workshop classroom, students will step into the role of historians, exploring primary source documents from our own archives collection. By analyzing historical documents, photographs, and artifacts, participants will develop critical thinking and visual literacy skills, uncovering the stories of the past and deepening their understanding of American history and its complex legacies.

Group of people walking across a red wooden arched bridge in a forest setting with surrounding trees and greenery.

STEM/STEAM

The Bridges of Magnolia Gardens

Grade: K - 8
Length: 1.5 hours
Max group size: 10-15

An opportunity to explore the colorful and unique bridges of Magnolia’s famous gardens, and learn about their design, function, and history. Be ready to walk, sketch, and work as a team while discovering the science of balance, stability, and materials. After gathering inspiration, students will build their own bridges using LEGO or KEVA planks, applying what they've learned about architecture, engineering and design. This fun and collaborative activity sparks creativity and critical thinking, perfect for young explorers interested in design and construction.

2025 GUIDED TRIP PRICING

We offer affordable rates for educational groups and make it easy to plan your visit.

Title 1 Schools and homeschool groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounted pricing. For more details, please contact Specialty Sales Manager Emily Shallo at 843-571-1266 x 2300.

We welcome self-guided school and youth groups at a discounted rate throughout the year. Please review our guidelines to ensure that your visit goes smoothly.

  • $13 per student

  • Complimentary with their class

  • $20 per adult

CUSTOM ITINERARIES

If our current offerings don't meet your needs, we can customize a field trip to complement your classroom.