Field Trips & Education Programs
WELCOME TO OUTDOOR LEARNING
Create lifelong memories with your students on an unforgettable swamp adventure
At Cypress Gardens, nature becomes the classroom. Our guided and self-guided field trips combine education with exploration—perfect for groups ready to learn through experience.
Reservations required: Bookings open August 1 and fill quickly!
When
Year-round options for morning, afternoon & summer sessions
📚 Program Options
🧭 Guided Trips
- 3 programs per visit (as time allows)
- Hands-on experiences with staff-led exploration
- Includes time for a boat ride (if desired)
🌿 Self-Guided Trips
- Flexible schedule
- Explore the Butterfly House, trails, and exhibits at your own pace
☀️ Guided Afternoon & Summer Trips
Perfect for groups looking for a flexible learning experience! These trips include one guided educational program per class, offered year-round in the afternoon and mornings during summer.
While boat tours are self-guided, you’re welcome to enjoy a peaceful paddle through the swamp after your session, along with access to all other park attractions.
🕒 Scheduling Options
🗓️ Mon–Fri
⏰ 9:30 a.m.–Noon
👥 15–60 students
🗓️ Mon–Fri
⏰ 9am–5pm
👥 15–90 students
🗓️ Daily
⏰ 9am–5pm
👥 15–25 students per program
Admission Info
- Discounted rates with reservations
- Unscheduled groups are charged full gate admission
- Assigned chaperones receive discounts
- Siblings (age 3+) are charged admission
Natural History Programs
🛶 Swamp Safari
Explore the Heart of the Swamp
Experience the swamp like never before! Embark on a guided boat ride through the mysterious blackwater swamp, where our expert staff will paddle you among towering cypress trees. Keep an eye out for alligators, turtles, birds, and other swamp creatures as you learn about this unique ecosystem.
🐍 Herps Alive
Discover the Fascinating World of Reptiles and Amphibians
Get up close with live reptiles and amphibians! This engaging, hands-on lecture introduces students to the distinctive features of these creatures, using live animals, bones, skins, and fascinating discussions to compare the two animal classes.
🎣 Dip Netting
Dive Into the Swamp’s Aquatic Life
Put on your boots and grab a net! Students will fish along the edge of the swamp with long-handled strainers, capturing aquatic life to study up close. This interactive program helps identify plants, fish, insects, and other organisms, offering a hands-on learning experience of life in the swamp.
🔬 Blow Up the Swamp
See the Swamp’s Secrets Magnified
Start with a dip netting session, then take your discoveries to the next level! Through a video microscope, students will get a magnified view of their catches, diving deep into the adaptations and life cycles of the creatures found in the swamp.
🎣 Fish Story
Unravel the Mysteries of Fish Life
Explore the fascinating world of fish through skulls, mounts, and live examples from the Swamparium. Students will learn about the features and adaptations that enable fish to thrive in aquatic environments, followed by an exploration of live specimens to reinforce their understanding.
🦋 From Worms to Wings
Explore the Butterfly Life Cycle
Delve into the life cycle and physiology of butterflies with both live and preserved specimens. The program culminates with a tour of the Butterfly House, where students will have the chance to see butterflies in every stage of development, from larvae to adult.
🌸 Flower Power
The Role of Flowers and Fruits in Nature
Why do plants have flowers and fruits? This program will help students understand the importance of these structures for plant reproduction. After a short lesson, students will take a tour of the Butterfly House gardens, discovering real-life examples of the principles they’ve just learned.
🐜 Big Bunt Hunt
Explore the Secret Life of Arthropods
Students will discover the hidden world of arthropods by searching through rotting logs for insects, spiders, and other creatures essential to the food chain. After collecting their finds, they’ll use a video microscope to examine their catches, learning about the adaptations and life cycles of these critters.
🐤 Birds of a Feather
Birdwatching and Identification Skills
Students will learn about the diverse adaptations that birds possess and how these features help with identification. With binoculars in hand, they will embark on an outdoor birdwatching adventure to observe local species in their natural habitat.
🐚 Fossil Dig
Uncover South Carolina’s Ancient Past
Travel back in time as students learn about fossils and their formation in South Carolina’s ever-changing landscape. In this hands-on program, students will have the opportunity to search for real fossils in the sand and keep their discoveries, bringing a tangible piece of history home.
🦋 Creature Feature
Explore the Butterfly House and Swamparium
A perfect option for groups that want to explore the Butterfly House and Swamparium in-depth! During this guided tour, students will see firsthand the diversity of life in these two remarkable exhibits, with plenty of opportunities for questions and interaction.
🏛️ Cultural History Programs (Grades 3–5)
Cypress Gardens is offering four new educational programs focusing on cultural history. These new programs will complement the natural history programs already offered to local schools. These cultural history programs are designed to address the SC Academic Standards for Social Studies, Science, and Math for 3rd to 5th grade.
- 🏺 African Pottery – Hands-on history through craft
- 🔍 Understanding Artifacts – Learn to “read” ancient objects
- 🌾 History of Rice in SC – Explore Lowcountry’s rice legacy
- 🧭 Archaeological Excavation – Dig into the past
Plan lessons and field trips at Cypress Gardens. (Alligators are not available for speaking engagements.)
Teacher Resources
Essential information to prepare for your field trip including park rules, attractions, and maps.
Background information and interactive activities for exploring our butterfly habitat.
Discover wetland ecosystems through educational materials and hands-on learning activities.
Educational resources for our scenic boat trail and surrounding nature areas.
Learn about the rich history and cultural significance of Cypress Gardens.
Printable worksheets and puzzles to enhance learning before, during, or after your visit.
