School Programs - Barrier Island Ecology Adventure
Educational School Programs K-12
Charleston, SC Field Trips
Scientific Process and Inquiry Skills are promoted and reinforced throughout the field trip as students learn about organisms, habitats, communities, and ecosystems, as well as the environmental and geological factors that influence them.
The first part of the field trip will be spent on the boat exploring the tidal creeks of the salt marsh. Depending on the grade level of the group, different topics will be discussed including: Spartina grass and its role, plant/animal species identification, adaptations, oyster bed communities, species diversity, marsh hammock ecology, geology of the salt marsh, and the importance of the salt marsh to humans and the Atlantic Ocean.
The students are able to experience and learn about marine life as their knowledgeable and well versed naturalist pulls crab and habitat traps. The specimens caught are put into an aquarium and discussed by your naturalist. Common catches include sponges, sea whip, brittle stars, mud crabs, blue crabs, stone crabs, peppermint shrimp, decorator crabs, goby fish, toad fish, and an occasional octopus or horseshoe crab.
The second part of the trip will be spent on the beach at Capers Island State Heritage Preserve.
With over 2000 acres, Capers Island is a pristine barrier island which was bought by South Carolina
in 1975 for the purpose of preserving it in its natural state.
On Capers Island there is a diversity of shells and our guides have fascinating facts about the lives of the animals which made them. Other topics such as sediments, barrier island formation, sand dune function, loggerhead sea turtles, erosion and deposition, beach ecology, and the maritime forest can be discussed. Capers Island is an excellent example of erosion and deposition. Most of the island has been eroding for many years, and the presence of dead trees along the tide line provides a stark visual image of the process we call erosion. Another illustration the island offers is that of deposition, as evidenced by the significant formation of sand dunes over the salt marsh at the southern end.
Groups also have the option to hike a mile long trail that winds its way through the island before opening onto "Bone-yard Beach". Along the trail you will pass through different habitats including salt marsh, a fresh water pond, a large brackish water impoundment, the maritime forest, and an extensive dune field. These interior ponds allow for plant and animal diversity along the trail and are a home to several shy alligators. Along this path our staff will discuss topics including alligators, bird life/identification, uses of the maritime forest by humans, plant identification and adaptations.
Our Barrier Island Ecology field trip is one of the most fun and educational Charleston field trips. If you are looking for a Charleston educational field trip you must give Barrier Island Eco Tours a call. Our school programs are aligned with the South Carolina Curriculum Science Standards.
Email us or call 843-886-5000 before you plan your next Charleston field trip experience.
Trip Details
Pricing
$18 per student and parent or chaperone for the field trip
Lunch/Dinner
Most school groups choose for us to provide their lunch or dinner on Capers Island. The beachside cookout adds to the experience for the student and makes it easy for the planner. A hot dog and hamburger is grilled for each person.
$8 per person includes hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies and bottled waters
*Teachers are no charge for the trip or lunch.
Group Size
We are able to accommodate groups of 150 plus by dividing the group up into smaller groups and sometimes using multiple boats for transportation to Capers Island. We use pre-trip and post- trip dock activities and also Fort Moultrie as a station, so very little down time is experienced.
Timing
Our field trips usually last from 3.5 to 6 hours depending on your group size and how we decide to split you up. Normally we are able to tailor the trip to fit into your time frame.
Parking
There is plenty of room at the Isle of Palms Marina for personal and bus parking at no additional charge.
Store and Gift Shop
The Isle of Palms Marina does have a general store and gift shop and our Barrier Island Eco Tour t-shirts are available for students to purchase as a souvenir.
What to Bring
- Weather appropriate clothing. It is always much cooler on the water so it is good to wear warmer clothing than you normally wear.
If there is a chance of rain, please bring rain coats and umbrellas. - Shoes that you don't mind getting a little wet or sandy.
- Cameras are welcome.
Teacher Resources
S.C. Science Standards per grade level:
Download PDFs on topics and species we cover on our field trip:
- pdfs to come
Visit these links to fun and educational websites related to topics covered on the trip:
- Salt Marsh Life (www.saltmarshlife.com)
- SC Department of Natural Resources (www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/dynamic.html)
- Know It All - SC Life (http://www.knowitall.org/sclife/)
- Salt Marsh Ecology (http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/dynamic.html)
- Blue Crabs (http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/bluecrab.html)
- Shrimp (http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/shrimp.html)
- Jellyfish (http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/jellyfi.html)
- Barrier Islands (http://kingfish.coastal.edu/marine/304/S04/notes/barriers.pdf)