Green Hour Program

The National Wildlife Federation developed the Green Hour Program to get kids outside, and away from electronics, for at least 1 hour every day. Children who spend more time outside will play more creatively, have lower stress levels, have more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems, experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD, and have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment. The SCWF has developed some tools to help parents, caregivers and educators encourage children to play outdoors.

Click HERE for a word search puzzle about things you can do or find outdoors.

Click HERE for a Nature Passport with ideas to get kids outside in the Midlands of SC. You can also log your green hours and return the Passport to the SCWF for special prizes and recognition by clicking HERE.

Click HERE for a list of 25 WAYS TO GET YOUR GREEN HOUR IN THE MIDLANDS.

Events to Get Kids Outside:

June 1 - Forestry:  Tree Identification.  Carolina Children's Garden, Columbia.  Learn to identify local trees using their characteristics.  Make-and-take craft included.  10 am – 11:30 am.  $2 per child supplies fee; recommended for ages 8-14, but all are welcome.  Limit 15.  To Register, call Chanda Cooper at 803-459-3212.  Space for programs is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

June 1 - Carolina Explorers, Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort.  2-3pm.  Enjoy nature-themed arts and crafts while learning a about Hunting Island.  $2 per child. 

June 8 - Carolina Explorers, Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort.  2-3pm.  Enjoy nature-themed arts and crafts while learning a about Hunting Island.  $2 per child.

June 11-13 - Environmental Education in South Carolina Conference - Beautiful rivers, forests, and trails set the stage for individuals and families to explore the midland's natural resources and learn about man's influence on them. Environmental and science educators will provide a variety of dynamic workshops,  sessions, exhibits, and events including engaging hikes and walks. The 2010 EEASC Annual Conference is hosted by Columbia College.

June 12, 19 & 26 -  GREEN HOUR KIDS CAMP - Earth Fare & SCWF will team up to present a series of fun events for kids to focus on healthy eating habits and being outside to get exercise and enjoy nature.  Kids can sign up for all three events, or just pick one!  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  June 12th - meet at Earth Fare on Devine Street in Columbia at 12 noon. 

June 12 - Weekend on the Edisto River - The Edisto River is a Lowcountry treasure. Limestone bluffs, cypress swamps, oxbow lakes, and many other natural surprises await the patient paddler. Join Colleton State Park and the Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Association for "Weekend on the Edisto River." This two-day canoe trip will be an adventure to remember. You can spend Saturday night at Colleton State Park where you will enjoy a catered dinner. Camping in the primitive area is included in the fee.  The price for this family-friendly weekend is $100 per adult and $50 per non-paddling child that accompanies you.  Boats, paddles, and life vests are provided by the sponsor.  In addition, you will have three meals provided for you during the outing--lunch both days and a very nice dinner on Saturday evening.

June 12 - Jr. Farmer Day, Kings Mountain State Park.  Kids come to the living history farn and learn about what it was like to live in the 1850's. There will be fun and educational activities all the while working towards earning a Jr. Farmer badge. After you earn your badge at the farm head over to Kings Mountain National Military Park and earn your Jr. Ranger Badge.  10am-3pm.

June 15 - Carolina Explorers, Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort.  2-3pm.  Enjoy nature-themed arts and crafts while learning a about Hunting Island.  $2 per child.

June 19 - GREEN HOUR KIDS CAMP - Earth Fare & SCWF will team up to present a series of fun events for kids to focus on healthy eating habits and being outside to get exercise and enjoy nature.  Kids can sign up for all three events, or just pick one!  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  June 19th - meet at Riverfront Park's North Entrance off of Broad River Road, Columbia, at 12 noon. 

June 23 - Little Leaves Nature Study.  Carolina Children's Garden, Columbia.  Join us for a nature-themed story time, nature walk, and scavenger hunt.  9 am – 10 am.  $2 per child supplies fee; recommended for ages 3-7, but all are welcome.  Limit 15.  To Register, call Chanda Cooper at 803-459-3212.  Space for programs is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

June 24 - Air Quality:  Take a Lichen to Our Air.   Carolina Children's Garden, Columbia.  What is a lichen and how can it be used to measure air quality?  Come find out!  3 pm – 4:30 pm.  $2 per child supplies fee; recommended for ages 8-14, but all are welcome.  Limit 15.  To Register, call Chanda Cooper at 803-459-3212.  Space for programs is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

June 26 - GREEN HOUR KIDS CAMP - Earth Fare & SCWF will team up to present a series of fun events for kids to focus on healthy eating habits and being outside to get exercise and enjoy nature.  Kids can sign up for all three events, or just pick one!  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  June 26th - meet at the Carolina Children's Garden at the Clemson Extension office on Clemson Road, Columbia, at 12 noon. 

June 26 - Suited to Swim, Paris Mountain State Park - 1-2:30pm.  Many of Paris Mountain's animals are adapted to life in or near water. Help look for salamanders, frogs, ducks, aquatic insects, as well as signs of our resident beaver population, on this unusual scavenger hunt. Bring shoes that can get wet, so you can get in the creek! The program fee is $5.00 per person. Admission fee is waived. Registration required. To register, call the park office (864-244-5565), or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Meet at Park Center.

June 29 - Carolina Explorers, Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort.  2-3pm.  Enjoy nature-themed arts and crafts while learning a about Hunting Island.  $2 per child.

July 10 - Sharrrks!  Edisto Beach State Park.  Come learn about the watery world of sharks and why these animals are so important to the marine ecosystem! Learn first-hand about shark biology with a group shark dissection. This program is not recommended for children under 10.  11am. 

July 16 - Sharrks!  Edisto Beach State Park.  Come learn about the watery world of sharks and why these animals are so important to the marine ecosystem! Learn first-hand about shark biology with a group shark dissection. This program is not recommended for children under 10.  11am

July 23 - Indigo Dyes and Paper from Plants, led by special guest, Karen Hall.  Carolina Children's Garden, Columbia.  9-11 am.  To Register, call Chanda Cooper at 803-459-3212.  Space for programs is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

July 24 - Kids Day at Musgrove Mill - History will be made accessible to children at this Musgrove Mill State Historic Site event. Activities will include quill pen writing, cartridge rolling, weapons demonstrations, bullet making, and guided hikes. The morning program is recommended for children ages 5-10 and the afternoon program is recommended for children ages 7-13. Contact Musgrove Mill State Historic site for more information about the program or to make a reservation. Reservations are required and space is limited.  9am-4pm.

July 24 - Native American Crafts for Kids , Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site - Broken bowls, bone tools and glass beads… These are types of Native American artifacts that archaeologists routinely find at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Such artifacts are tangible links to the Native cultures who once occupied this area. When the English arrived in 1670, they brought manufactured trade goods, such as glass beads and hatchets, that signaled a change in the traditional lifeways of local Native American groups, like the Kiawah. Come participate in a Native American crafts programs where you can make your own clay pot or trade bead necklace. Pre-registration is advised as space is limited.  1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.

July 24 - How to be an Amateur Naturalist - Paris Mountain State Park.  Anyone with enthusiasm and curiosity for the natural world can become an amateur naturalist. The Interpretive Ranger will present tools, tips, and hand-outs to encourage the pursuit of natural wonder. On a short walk down the Turtle Trail, participants will practice some of these skills, and bring back some finds to look at under microscopes in the park lab (all finds go back to where we find them). Meet at Park Center. The program fee is $5. per person. Admission fee is waived. Registration required. To register, call the park office (864-244-5565), or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

August 11 - Recycled Art Workshop, led by special guest, Amanda Ladymon.  Carolina Children's Garden, Columbia.  9-11 am.  $16 per child; ages 6-12.  To Register, call Chanda Cooper at 803-459-3212.  Space for programs is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kid-Friendly Hikes & Places to Visit:

Issaqueena Falls & Stumphouse Tunnel, Walhalla

Spoonauger Falls, Tamassee

Twin Falls, Pickens County

Carolina Children's Garden, Columbia

Three Rivers Greenway, Columbia (paved trail, stroller friendly)

Riverfront Park, Columbia (paved trail, stroller friendly)

Send us your suggestions for Kid-Friendly Events, Hikes & Places to Visit!

Buy Favorite Family Hikes now to plan your next family adventure! $9.95 from Palmetto Conservation Foundation.

**Green Hour is a program of the National Wildlife Federation and is used here with permission. Visit www.greenhour.org for more information!