school field trips

Dear Teachers,

Are you searching for an extraordinary field trip destination that will take your classroom curriculum to the next level? Look no further than the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, where we offer an engaging and immersive learning experience for Pre-K to 3rd-grade students. Our exhibits and programs are thoughtfully designed to complement your lessons and make education an exciting adventure for young minds.

Enriching Learning Opportunities: Step into our child-sized Publix grocery store, where math, colors, healthy eating, and teamwork blend seamlessly. Your students will actively participate in practical applications of essential concepts, preparing them for real-life challenges while having a blast.

In the Boeing Bright Lab, the fusion of technology and simple tools sparks creativity and innovation. Witness your students handle real hammers and saws, building alongside peers crafting imaginative designs on an awe-inspiring wall-mounted digital canvas. This perfect blend of hands-on learning and digital exploration empowers young learners to unlock their potential as future problem solvers.

Nurturing Social and Emotional Skills: Our miniature world, thoughtfully designed for young children, becomes a playground for social and emotional growth. Through immersive experiences and playful interactions, students gain confidence in navigating the complexities of the world around them, setting the foundation for their emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships.

Seamless Curriculum Alignment: At the Children's Museum, we understand the importance of a cohesive educational experience. Our exhibits and programs align with educational standards, making it seamless for you to integrate the field trip into your classroom curriculum. Reinforce classroom lessons with captivating real-world applications, leaving a lasting impact on your students' learning journey.

Go Deeper: We encourage at least a two-hour visit for children to thoroughly experience the museum. However, we find teachers who add a museum educator-led program to their visit rate their museum experiences the highest. It costs another $2 per child and adds 30 minutes to the visit, but teachers tell us our talented museum educators bring concepts to life like no other experience.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Adventure: Bring your class on an extraordinary field trip to the Children's Museum, where learning comes to life in vibrant, interactive settings. Our mission is to ignite the spark of curiosity in every child, inspiring them to dream big, think creatively, and become lifelong learners.

Contact us today to book your field trip. We can't wait to welcome you and your class to the Children's Museum, where education is transformed into a joyous exploration of endless possibilities!

Sincerely,
The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry Team

PS. Would you like us to come to you? We can bring a museum educator-led program to your class, or our entire Pop-Up Tinker Shop experience for a class or an entire school! Learn more below

Downtown Field Trip Inquiry Form

St. George Field Trip Inquiry Form

Learn About Museum Educator-Led Program Offerings

Learn About Enrichment on the Go

field trip FAQs

How many people constitute a group?

A minimum of 15 students is required to receive the group rate.

What happens during the field trip?

We will greet your class, review the museum rules, and provide a gallery rotation schedule for your chaperones.

How long are the field trips?

Groups should plan to explore the Museum for approximately two hours. Add 30 minutes if a CML Educator-led program is added to the schedule.

What ages are appropriate to visit the museum?

Field trips are designed for children ages 3 through 3rd grade.

Do we need a reservation to receive the discounted rate?

Advanced registration is required to receive the discounted group rate. Groups that do not register prior to arrival will be charged general admission rates.

How far in advance should I schedule a field trip?

We recommend booking at least one month in advance. For spring dates, book as early as possible to ensure you get the date you want.

How do I make my group's reservation?

Complete the Field Trip Inquiry Form and we will email to confirm your reservation date and send you a reservation contract. A $100 deposit is required to secure your reservation.

How many chaperones should we have?

A 1:5 grown-up to child ratio is required. Grown-ups within this ratio receive complimentary admission. Additional grown-ups receive a discounted admission rate of $8 per SC Residents ($10/Non-SC Residents).

Do teachers count as a chaperone?

Yes, teachers count as chaperones and will be counted towards the 1:5 ratio. Additional grown-ups receive a discounted admission rate of $8 per SC Residents ($10/Non-SC Residents).

How much do field trips cost?

South Carolina Public, Private, or Home Schools:

$10 per student (minimum class size 10 children)
Minimum 5:1 child:chaperone ratio
The educational program is included in the field trip cost; however, if you choose not to have a program the price remains the same.
The classroom can be used for lunch without charge – if it is available.

South Carolina Title 1 Public Schools:

$5 per student (minimum class size 10 children)
Minimum 5:1 child:chaperone ratio
The educational program is included in the field trip cost; however, if you choose not to have a program the price remains the same.
The classroom can be used for lunch without charge – if it is available.

Groups not affiliated with South Carolina public, private, or home schools are eligible for $2 off pre-reserved admission. Click here to complete the reservation request.

Are there discounts for Title One schools?

A 50% discount is available for Title One schools. Please indicate free & reduced lunch percentages on the Field Trip Request Form.

When is the payment due?

A $100 deposit is required to complete your reservation and is applied to your balance. The remaining amount is due upon arrival for your field trip. Checks and credit cards are accepted.

Can memberships be applied to field trips?

Memberships and other discounts/passes cannot be used towards group admissions.

Is there a place to store our lunches?

We can store lunches behind the Front Desk. Please consolidate as much as possible as space is limited.

Where can we park?

The City of Charleston provides a number of metered parking spaces around CML for $0.75/hour for up to two hours. The Visitor’s Center Parking Garage and the Camden/Exchange Parking Garage are located near the Museum. The garages cost $2.00/hour and accept cash and credit cards. Buses can park in the Visitor’s Center Parking Garage via the Bus Entrance. Bus parking is also available along Concord Street and near the SC Aquarium.

What if we need to cancel or reschedule?

Please notify us as soon as possible at contact@explorecml.org and put Field Trip Change in the subject of your email to cancel or reschedule your trip. We will credit your $100 deposit to a future field trip date. Unfortunately, we cannot offer deposit credits or refunds for no-show groups as we staff the museum based on visitation projections.

Do students wear nametags?

Every student should wear a name tag with his/her name, teacher or school name, and school’s phone number. Your trip confirmation will include a template for your nametags.