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CHARLESTON, S.C. (Lowcountry Weekend) -
Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk
Oct. 7. Half marathon stats at 8 a.m.; 5K starts at 8:30 a.m.
Johns Island County Park – Trailhead
Join us on the scenic trails of Johns Island County Park for our annual Lowcountry Trail 5K and Half Marathon. The 5K is a run or walk event; the half marathon is run only.
Fee: $38 for the 5K; $55 for the half marathon Ages: 10 and up.
Latin American Festival
Oct. 8, 12 – 5 p.m.
Wannamaker County Park
This annual tradition brings people together to celebrate Charleston’s vibrant Latin and Caribbean cultures at one of the Lowcountry’s favorite county parks. Festivities include non-stop music, traditional dance performances, folkloric artwork and crafts, and authentic food and beverages. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com or call 843-795-4386 for more information.
Fee: $10 Ages: any
Oct. 12, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wannamaker County Park
The moon and stars enhance this flowing yoga class. Participants will receive a special glow in the dark prize. Open to all fitness levels.
Fee: $10 Ages: 12 and up
Oct. 15, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Palmetto Islands County Park
Come out to Palmetto Islands County Park to enjoy live music from local Allman Brothers tribute band, Idlewild Revival! Gates open at 11am. Live music begins at 12pm. You are encouraged to bring your own tables and chairs to set up. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No outside food, alcohol, or coolers permitted.
Fee: $10 Ages: any
Charleston County Parks Foundation Sunset Cruise
Oct. 15, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Shem Creek
Charleston County Parks’ non-profit partner, the Charleston County Parks Foundation, will host a sunset harbor cruise aboard the Palmetto Breeze to raise funds for its Park & Recreation Opportunity Fund. Guests will enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and beverages while taking in amazing sunset views. Boarding begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Shem Creek dock at 100 Church St. in Mount Pleasant.
Tickets: $75 per person
Visit CharlestonCountyParksFoundation.org for details and to purchase tickets
Oct. 21, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mount Pleasant Pier
Join us at the Mount Pleasant Pier for a fun day of fishing during the Cast Off Fishing Tournament. Prize categories include Biggest 3 by Weight, Biggest youth catch (12 & under), and Best 5 Fish Total Weight. No preregistration required. Register on site the morning of each tournament. For more information, call the Mount Pleasant Pier at 843-762-9946.
Fee: $10 for ages 13 and up; $9 for members of the military; $8 for youth and seniors; $5 for fishing pass holders
Ages: 3 and up (adult chaperone required for ages 15 and under)
Trick, Treat and Trail Family Fun Run/Walk and Stroll
Oct. 28, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wannamaker County Park
Get ready to be treated during our first annual Spooktacular family fun run/walk and stroll chock full of ghoulish entertainment, face painting, mind bending interpretation and science, carnivalesque drinks and refreshments. The event begins with a 5K fun run/walk and stroll. Be on the lookout for friendly goblins along the way. Then stick around for the Boo Fest where the entertainment will flow, food will be served, and a costume contest will be held.
Fee: 12 and up: $15. Ages 6-12: $5
Ages: 6 and up
Ongoing Programs
Family Archery
Oct. 7 and 21, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Johns Island County Park – Trailhead
Get your bull’s-eye! Bring the family, get a brief orientation, and fling some arrows at Johns Island County Park’s target archery range. Equipment will be provided. Each family member wishing to participate must pre-register.Fee: $20Ages 8 and up (chaperone required for ages 15 and under)
Oct. 7 and 21, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Johns Island County Park – Trailhead
Enhance your archery skills on our six-target archery range and 3D course at Johns Island County Park. Bring the kids, enjoy basic instruction, and we’ll explore both ranges. Equipment will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. A registered and paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under.
Fee: $30Ages 10 and up (chaperone required for ages 15 and under)
Odyssey Adventure
Oct. 13 and 27, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
James Island County Park – Challenge Course
Looking for an adventure this Fall? Come with us for a 2-hour Odyssey Adventure! We’ll start on the ground with ground instruction then harness up. From there, we’ll head to the cargo-net to climb up to the high ropes course: the Odyssey Course. Once at height, we have a multitude of challenges and elements to test your skills and abilities. At the end of the adventure, you’ll have one more challenge: the Zipline Exit. Invite your friends and family to an Odyssey Adventure!
Fee: $30 Ages: 10 and up.
Odyssey Adventure
Oct. 13 and 27, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
James Island County Park – Challenge Course
Looking for an adventure this Fall? Come with us for a 2-hour Odyssey Adventure! We’ll start on the ground with ground instruction then harness up. From there, we’ll head to the cargo-net to climb up to the high ropes course: the Odyssey Course. Once at height, we have a multitude of challenges and elements to test your skills and abilities. At the end of the adventure, you’ll have one more challenge: the Zipline Exit. Invite your friends and family to an Odyssey Adventure!
Fee: $30 Ages: 10 and up.
Daily Programs
Adaptive Climbing Experience
Oct. 1, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
This program is designed for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities that are interested in rock climbing. We offer a 2:1 instructor to student ratio and a variety of experiences to help you meet your climbing goals and needs.
Fee: $25 Ages: 8 and up.
Basic Climbing Rescues
Oct. 1, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Learn basic self-rescue techniques for your next outdoor trip. When things don’t go according to plan, have the skills and confidence to get you and your partner out of trouble. Fee: $40Ages: 16 and up.
Intro to Climbing Technique
Oct. 1, 12:30 – 2 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
There’s a lot to learn about climbing; getting your footing, learning the lingo, and starting out can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re new to climbing, or just trying to get past the crux on your project, our Intro to Climbing Technique class will help you reach your climbing goals. This 90-minute class will help kick off your new adventure with a 1:6 instructor to student ratio and lots of small group and partner work. Instruction takes place on both ropes and boulders, and the class will include your gear rental, too!
Fee: $20 Ages: 14 and up.
Lowcountry Senior Series: Archery
Oct. 3, 1 – 3 p.m. James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
In partnership with the Lowcountry Senior Center, this program empowers adults 50+ to continue to explore, discover, and grow. Come out and fling some arrows! We’ll start with the basics of archery and you’ll soon find that inner child as you start hitting those bull’s-eyes.
Fee: $20 Ages: 50 and up.
Oct. 6, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Participants will be introduced to disc golf at the Outdoor Zone at James Island County Park. Equipment will be provided.
Fee: $30 Ages: any
October 7, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Johns Island County Park – Trailhead
How many birds can we identify while staying within a seventeen-foot diameter circle? Join this accessible and inclusive birding event to help answer this question! Birding enthusiasts will be there to help with species identification and information. Drop in for 20 minutes or stick around for hours, as this is sure to be a fun learning experience about and for birds of many feathers. What to expect: This program is open to birders of all levels, including beginners. Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available near the count circle. The count circle area includes a packed grassy surface that is mostly flat. Please bring your own seat, from camp chair to wheelchair. Some binoculars and chairs will be available to share among participants.
Fee: $5Ages 12 and up (chaperone required for ages 15 and under)
The Amazing Becker Brothers
Oct. 7, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
McLeod Plantation Historic Site
Martin F. Becker and his brother, Theodore, were extraordinary in their day. Both men, never enslaved, attended college. Becker ran a print shop, was a conductor on the Underground Railroad and served in the Navy and Army. His brother became a surgeon in the Massachusetts 54th. Join us on Memorial Day Weekend as we explore the life and times of the amazing Becker Brothers.
Fee: $10 Ages: 16 and up
Intro to Sport Lead Climbing
Oct. 8, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Our lead course is for those that have been top rope climbing and are ready to take things to the next level. Learning to lead climb gives you access to more walls and better prepares you for outdoor climbing. In this course you will learn about the risks involved in lead climbing, risk management, lead climbing equipment, clipping techniques, lead belaying, and falling skills. Lead climbing is not a beginner skill set. We require a base of experience to take our lead course; for more information visit CharlestonCountyParks.com
Fee: $40 Ages: 14 and up.
Top Rope Climbing for Beginners
Oct. 8, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Learn the basics of top rope belaying. This 90-minute class will help kick off your new climbing adventure with a 1:6 instructor to student ratio and lots of small group and partner work. The class will include your gear rental, too!
Fee: $20 Ages: 14 and up.
Exploring Palmetto Islands County Park
Oct. 11, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Palmetto Islands County Park – Meadow
Tucked away in Mt. Pleasant, Palmetto Islands County Park provides an opportunity to visualize and discuss fort sites built by enslaved labor from nearby plantations and used in the Civil War. Palmetto Islands is also an amazing location to view the intersection of nature and history, which we will do during this interpretive walk. Accessible parking and restrooms are available at this site. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for information on accessibility and what to expect during this program.
Fee: $10 Ages: 16 and up
Oct. 11, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
James Island County Park – Edisto Hall
Join this Hatha yoga class specially designed for climbers. We will experiment with body position and the application of force to develop muscle memory and effective breathing practice, moving at a slow to moderate pace focusing on healthy range of motion and sustainable form. The goal is to learn to think critically about our body’s position so that we can problem solve/improvise while climbing.
Fee: $15 Ages: 18 and up.
Better Birding: How to Sharpen Your Skills
Oct. 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Master Naturalist advanced training opportunities provide exposure and skill development in areas such as natural history, natural resource management, and nature interpretation. In order to keep a Master Naturalist certification current, you must take at least eight hours of advanced training per year. Dive deeper into bird identification, observation, and behavior interpretation. Hone your listening skills too, as an emphasis will be placed on birding by ear through several distinct habitat types ranging from blackwater swamp to salt marsh. Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available at the park Welcome Center. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for information on accessibility and what to expect during this program.
Fee: $50 Ages: 18 and up
Strength Training for Climbers: Hangboarding 101
Oct. 12, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Want to learn how to get your fingers stronger for climbing? Learn hangboarding basics with one of our Team Charleston Coaches that will help you send your next project.
Fee: $40 Ages: 14 and up.
Lighthouse Inlet Bird Walk
Oct. 13, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
This walk focuses on the incredibly diverse northeast end of Folly Island. Once the home of a Coast Guard station, this Heritage Preserve protects maritime forest, beach, dune, and marsh habitats for wildlife. This site boasts one of the largest bird lists in South Carolina. At this time of year, we hope to see a variety of songbirds, seabirds, and shorebirds such as Painted Bunting, Sandwich Tern, Whimbrel, and much more. What to expect: This program is open to birders of all levels, including beginners. No accessible parking is available. No restrooms are available. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for information on accessibility and what to expect during this program.
Fee: $9Ages 12 and up (chaperone required for ages 15 and under)
Oct. 13, 1 – 3 p.m.
Crabbing/Fishing Dock at James Island County Park
Join one of our experienced naturalists on a journey into the wild world of marine drifters. We’ll sample a tidal creek with a net especially designed to trap tiny planktonic organisms followed by an examination of our catch under microscopes. From plant-like, oxygen-giving diatoms to the active larvae of oysters and barnacles, we’ll explore plankton in our local aquatic habitats, discuss their importance and conservation challenges, and learn how we can volunteer to help our community by surveying for harmful plankton blooms. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for information on accessibility and what to expect during this program.
Ages: 12 and up
Bird Photography
Oct. 21, 8 – 11 a.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Join wildlife photographer Colin Hocking, Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society, and naturalist Kristina Wheeler for a program focusing on the photographic study of birds. Learn techniques on how to quickly adapt your camera settings for quality results, along with tips to help ensure that your perfect shot doesn’t come at the expense of your subject. This program is open to birders and photographers of all levels, including beginners. Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available near the Welcome Center. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for information on accessibility and what to expect during this program.
Fee: $20 Ages: 12 and up
Homeschool in the Parks: Amazing Migration
Oct. 27, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Folly Beach County Park
Discover why animals choose to move. Learn about monarch butterflies and other creatures that migrate along coastal South Carolina. Accessible parking is available and accessible restrooms and accessible water fountains are available near the Dunes House. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for information on accessibility and what to expect during this program.
Fee: $ 7 Ages: 7 – 12 years
Oct. 20, 1 – 3 p.m.
Folly Beach County Park – Dunes House
Did you know monarch butterflies are the subject of tag and release research? Join a naturalist to search for and potentially tag monarchs while learning about their amazing annual migration. Accessible parking is available and accessible restrooms and accessible water fountains are available near the Dunes House. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for information on accessibility and what to expect during this program.
Fee: $9 Ages: 9 and up
Oct. 26, 9 – 11 a.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Ever wondered who might be creating those animal tracks in the path? Animals large and small, from fox to beetle, often use the same roads and trails that we do. Join us as we head out in the field to discover animal tracks and their origins, along with the many stories that tracks can tell us about the natural world around us. Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available near the Welcome Center. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for information on accessibility and what to expect during this program.
Fee: $9 Ages: 12 and up
Wee Wild Ones: Pumpkins in the Park
Oct. 27, 10 – 11 a.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Young children will channel their inner explorers while enjoying nature through hands-on activities, games, music, and art. Learn about insects and what makes them special. We’ll “build a bug” and create art to take home. Ages 18 months to 6 years. Accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are all available near the Welcome Center where program begins and ends. This program takes place in an airconditioned classroom or lab. A short portion of this program takes place outdoors on trails that are mostly flat and of a natural, unimproved surface.
Fee: $10 Ages: 1.5 – 6 years
Junior Naturalist: Marvelous Migration
Oct. 28, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Dunes House at Folly Beach County Park
Bring your curiosity and engage all of your senses while exploring natural habitats at your county parks! Led by Charleston County Park’s Education staff, the multi-seasonal Junior Naturalist program series offers a wide variety of fun and educational nature-based activities focused around a central theme. Children who attend 8 of the 12 classes earn the title of a Certified Junior Naturalist! In this program, discover the unique features of marine mammals and discuss their importance. We will go for a walk to try and find dolphins swimming nearby at Folly Beach County Park. Accessible parking is available and accessible restrooms and water fountains are available near the Dunes House. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for accessibility information and what to expect during this program.
Fee: $7 Ages: 8 – 12 years
Baptist Hill Community Halloween Celebration
Oct. 28, 5: 30 – 7 p.m.
Basketball Gymnasium at Schroder Community Center
Trick or treat! Dress up in your Halloween costume and come join us for an evening of family fun, food, including free candy, kid-friendly games, and music. Don’t miss out on all the fun! Registration not required to attend.
Fee: FREE Ages: ANY
McClellanville Community Halloween Celebration
Oct. 31, 5: 30 – 7 p.m.
RR Complex at Lincoln High School
Trick or treat! Dress up in your Halloween costume and come join us for an evening of family fun, food, including free candy, kid-friendly games, and music. Don’t miss out on all the fun! Registration not required to attend.
Fee: FREE Ages: ANY
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