Come to Explore. Stay to Discover. Learn for a Lifetime.
We are now accepting field trip requests for the 2025-2026 school year. Before booking at the bottom of this page, please read our field trip offerings and FAQs.
We are ready to connect your students with nature through exploratory, place-based learning! We have a variety of grade-specific programs to choose from for pre-k through high school, all tailored to meet the South Carolina Science Standards.
Ready to review your options and schedule? Check out our Field Trip Offerings by age group!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can book a field trip to Conestee Nature Preserve?
Any public or private school, daycare, or camp is welcome to book a field trip to CNP. All public schools are free! While we do not offer field trips to homeschool groups we do offer 6 homeschool days throughout the school year. You can find more information about those programs on our event page.
How many students can I bring in a day?
We can take up to 75 students (3 classes) each day. Some exceptions apply.
What time is the field trip?
All field trips start at 9:30 a.m. Pre-K trips end at 11:30 a.m. K5 and 1st grade end at 1:00 p.m. 2nd-high school ends at 1:30 p.m.
Are we outside for the entire field trip?
Yes! There are currently no indoor facilities at our preserve. Students will participate in all activities and eat lunch outside.
How does lunch work?
Lunches should be packed in crates and rolling coolers for each transport. You will be given specific instructions on lunch based on the meetup location of your specific field trip program.
Will we encounter wildlife?
A nature preserve is home to a variety of species. We never know what we will see as each season provides a unique look into their environment. It is possible to see deer, beavers, a variety of amphibians, birds, snakes, and many more. We can not guarantee any wildlife encounter on any given day though.
How many chaperones do I need?
You are required to have 2 adults with every class. That can be 1 teacher and 1 chaperone. For pre-K-1st grade we recommend bringing 1 chaperone for every 5-7 students if possible (this is NOT required).
What if it rains or is too cold?
We do not cancel a field trip due to weather until the morning of the field trip. If the weather is cause for concern, you will receive a phone call by 7:30 a.m. the morning of your field trip. We will try our best to reschedule your group and we save rain dates at the end of each season in order to accommodate those as needed.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
If a cancellation is initiated within 30 days of the planned trip by any party other than the Preserve a fee may apply.
Can chaperones bring younger siblings in strollers?Trails in the are often rocky/ steep, so we cannot guarantee a smooth ride for kids in strollers. It’s recommended that you leave them at home.
Do we get to use the playground or playscape during our field trip?
The Nature Playscape in the Preserve is off limits to field trip groups at this time. Field trips that meet at the River Entrance are able to access the playground at Conestee Park though. If you want to include time to play in the playground after your field trip please make sure you schedule that outside of our field trip time.