Families with homeschooled children ages 2–13 can participate in hands-on learning experiences during Riverbanks’ Homeschool Monday programs throughout the school year. Animal enthusiasts, budding gardeners, and knee-high naturalists can find a variety of experiences to catch their interest.
Zoo Program Offerings
for Ages 5–12
Enjoy a new class each month for homeschool children ages 5–12. Each class focuses on a particular zoo topic and includes hands-on activities at the Colonial Life Discovery Center.
Scheduled Programs
Coastal Carolina
- Monday, November 25 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
Dive deeper to understand marine environments and explore how the decisions we make every day affect watery habitats.
Conservation Superheroes
- Monday, December 2 @ 10:00–11:15am
- Monday, December 9 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
- Monday, December 16 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
Discover the inspiring people and programs that tirelessly work to conserve wild places and species.
Found in Nature
- Monday, January 13 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
- Monday, January 27 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
Investigate where the natural resources we use in our day-to-day lives originate and the ways we manage their use.
Going Green
- Monday, February 10 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
- Monday, February 24 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
Apply your conservation knowledge to adopt new green practices and discover sustainable technologies.
Back from the Brink
- Monday, March 9 @ 10:00–11:15am
- Monday, March 16 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
- Monday, March 23 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
Explore the species locally and globally that have successfully begun to recover after previously facing extinction.
Powerful Pollinators
- Monday, April 6 @ 10:00–11:15am
- Monday, April 20 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
- Monday, April 27 @ 10:00–11:15am / 1:00–2:15pm
Learn the important role of bees, butterflies, bugs and birds in the health of our planet and construct a pollinator hotel to welcome them to your yard this spring.
Program Details
- Birthdate Ranges :
Ages 5–6 = 10/1/12 – 9/30/14
Ages 7–9 = 10/1/09 – 9/30/12
Ages 10–12 = 10/1/07 – 9/30/09
- Cost :
$8 per participating student. Note: If you are not a Riverbanks member, a general admission ticket will also be required.
- Capacity :
Age group capacities vary from 15 to 20 maximum students.
- Availability :
Programs take place 2 or 3 times a month, September through April, and run 75–90 minutes.
- Location :
Colonial Life Discovery Center (at the Zoo).
- Registration :
Register online at least 10 days in advance of the class. Please note that Zoo admission is separate from your Homeschool registration. Please meet the instructors at the Waterfall Junction Learning Center 10 minutes prior to the class time. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Garden Program Offerings
for Ages 7–13
Enjoy a new class each month for homeschool children ages 7–13. Each class focuses on a particular garden or nature topic and includes hands-on activities at the Riverbanks Botanical Garden.
Scheduled Programs
Plant Needs
- Monday, December 2 @ 1:30–2:45pm
- Monday, December 9 @ 1:30–2:45pm
If a plant’s needs are met, you can make it grow anywhere, anytime! We will talk about tricky ways to make a plant grow when you want it as we make plant people and force bulbs to bloom out of season.
Hydroponics
- Monday, January 13 @ 1:30–2:45pm
- Monday, January 27 @ 1:30–2:45pm
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. We will create mini-hydroponics containers for the kids to grow their own lettuce while discussing the importance of knowing what nutrients a plant needs to thrive and the benefits of growing a plant without soil.
Propagation
- Monday, February 10 @ 1:30–2:45pm
- Monday, February 24 @ 1:30–2:45pm
Plants naturally reproduce to keep on growing. We will experiment with different ways of growing new plants from seed, roots, leaves and stems. (mini-greenhouse, gallon greenhouse)
Harvesting
- Monday, March 16 @ 1:30–2:45pm
- Monday, March 23 @ 1:30–2:45pm
Growing your own veggies is only good if you know how to properly harvest, use and store them! We will harvest different vegetables and herbs and make a tasty treat fresh from the garden.
Beneficial Insects
- Monday, April 20 @ 1:30–2:45pm
- Monday, April 27 @ 1:30–2:45pm
Insects go hand-in-hand with gardening. Learning which bugs are our friends and which to watch out for leads to a healthier environment for the plants in your garden.
Medicinal Plants
- Monday, May 4 @ 1:30–2:45pm
- Monday, May 18 @ 1:30–2:45pm
Many traditional medicines are rooted in herbs that are commonly grown in gardens. We will explore the healing world of herbs and how different parts of plants can be used in a variety of ways to form salves, syrups and teas.
Program Details
- Birthdate Ranges :
Ages 7–9 = 10/1/09 – 9/30/12
Ages 10–13 = 10/1/06 – 9/30/09
- Cost :
$8 per participating student. Note: If you are not a Riverbanks member, a general admission ticket will also be required.
- Capacity :
Age group capacities vary from 15 to 20 maximum students.
- Availability :
Programs take place 2 times a month, September through May, and run 75–90 minutes.
- Location :
The Waterfall Junction Learning Center at Riverbanks Botanical Garden.
- Registration :
Register online at least 10 days in advance of the class. Please note that Zoo admission is separate from your Homeschool registration. Please meet the instructors at the Waterfall Junction Learning Center 10 minutes prior to the class time. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Little Learners
for Ages 2–5 with an adult
Enjoy a new class each month for homeschool children ages 2–5 with an adult. Each class focuses on a particular zoo topic and includes hands-on activities at the Farm Classroom.
Scheduled Programs
Wildlife in Winter
- Monday, December 2 @ 10:15–11:00am
- Monday, December 9 @ 10:15–11:00am
What do frogs do in winter? Where do the hummingbirds and dragonflies go? Explore the different ways animals cope when the temperature drops.
Water Wonderings
- Monday, January 13 @ 9:45–10:30am
- Monday, January 27 @ 9:45–10:30am
All living things – plants, animals and even you – need water. How do we get it? How can fish breathe in water, and why can’t we? Bring your water wonderings and be a scientist as we explore the mysteries of water.
Being a Green Kid
- Monday, February 10 @ 9:45–10:30am
- Monday, February 24 @ 9:45–10:30am
What does it mean to be green? Green is more than a color. Find out how to be a green kid and why it matters in this class about caring for Earth.
Wild Wolves
- Monday, March 16 @ 9:45–10:30am
- Monday, March 23 @ 9:45–10:30am
Wolves might seem big and scary, but they are not so different from you. They live with families. They share meals together, and they all look after the little ones. Join us to discover more about the largest members of the dog family.
Busy Bees
- Monday, April 20 @ 9:45–10:30am
- Monday, April 27 @ 9:45–10:30am
Why are the bees so busy? Fly, buzz, collect pollen, waggle-dance and more as we investigate the busy lives of bees.
Program Details
- Cost :
$8 per participating student. Note: If you are not a Riverbanks member, a general admission ticket will also be required.
- Capacity :
Age group capacities vary from 15 to 20 maximum students.
- Availability :
Programs take place 2 times a month, September through December, and run 45 minutes.
- Location :
Farm Classroom (at the Zoo).
- Registration :
Register online at least 10 days in advance of the class. Please note that Zoo admission is separate from your Homeschool registration. Please meet the instructors at the Waterfall Junction Learning Center 10 minutes prior to the class time. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation or date change requests must be received ten days in advance of the event. Requests must be submitted in writing at education@riverbanks.org. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will retain a $2 processing fee for cancellations and charge a $2 processing fee for date changes.
In the rare event that Riverbanks Zoo and Garden must cancel the scheduled event, all deposits or money received will be reimbursed or an option to reschedule will be provided. Notification of cancellation will be provided at least ten days prior to the scheduled event (unless weather-related). Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is not liable for any other expenses that the guest may have incurred in the preparation and execution of the event.
Refunds will not be provided for individuals who do not show up for the event.
Questions about Homeschool Programs?
Please call 803.602.0803 or email us.