Tucked in among the amusement parks and themed restaurants of Myrtle Beach, two of South Carolina's coastal state parks offer down to earth nature programs for children of all ages to enjoy. Both parks offer a wide stretch of beach to enjoy at your leisure or during some of the park's coastal education programs. Visit either Myrtle Beach State Park or Huntington Beach State Park for a day filled with nature adventures and opportunities for children and adults to learn about the South Carolina coast as a habitat.
Spend a few hours, visit all day or stay at the parks' campgrounds. One daily entry fee to each state park includes entrance to most programs offered that day. For campers staying at the parks, site fees include admission to programs.
Family and Children's Programs
From beach combing to coastal kayaking, nature programs at both state parks offer a variety of activities for every age and stage of childhood. Here's a sampling of educational classes offered to educate the public on sealife and coastal environments.
- Salt Marsh Educational Walk - Stroll along the boardwalks with a naturalist as your tour guide. Children will learn about the creatures and plants that contribute to an amazing ecosystem, the seaside salt marsh.
- Seining in the Salt Marsh - Wade as you pull a net (seine) through the tidal pools of the salt marsh to witness first hand the sea life that makes the salt marsh its home.
- Seining in the Surf - Work as a team to steady the seine net as you pull it through the shore waves. Study what you gather, ask questions to the naturalist and release your catch back to the sea.
- Crab Trapping($3 extra) - Lower traps from the pier and see what wanders in. Naturalists guide children through the task of trapping, discuss sea life pulled up and then release all catches back into the water.
- Birding at the Coast - Look for egrets, herons, bald eagles and shorebirds and learn about bird habits.
- Shells: What Lives Inside? - This class about shell life is held in the Education Center Wet Lab at Huntington Beach State Park.
Individual Park Facts
Myrtle Beach State Park
2008 Admission: Adults - $4.00, SC Seniors - $2.50, Children 6-15 - $1.50, Children 5 and Under - free
Activities: Pier Fishing, Surf Fishing, Equestrian Trail, Hiking Trail, Camping, Cabins, Picnic Shelters, Educational Programs
Huntington Beach State Park
2008 Admission: Adults - $5.00, SC Seniors - $3.25, Children 6-15 - $3.00, Children 5 and Under - free
Activities: Hiking, Surf Fishing, Fishing from the Jetty, Surf Fishing, Boating, Birding, Picnic Shelters, Camping, Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival each September, Educational Programs
If you're looking for family friendly things to do on the coast of South Carolina, try one of both of the state parks near Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park provide hands-on nature education activities for children. Visit each park's website for a class schedule and complete list of class offerings.
Kelly Pfeiffer - Kelly Pfeiffer teaches Positive Discipline workshops to parents and trains child care providers on various child development topics.
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