Explore nature through hands-on learning during Riverbanks’ Homeschool programs throughout the school year. Whether you’re an animal enthusiast, budding gardener, or knee-high naturalist, homeschooled children will enjoy a variety of exciting experiences to pique every interest.
Homeschool Little Learners
for ages 3–5 with accompanying adult
These programs are offered for our littlest learners. Ages 3–5 can join us in discovering cool things about the animals in our world.
Program Details
- Cost :
- $40 per participating student per session (3 classes). Note: If you are not a Riverbanks member, a general admission ticket will also be required. We are unable to make changes to session rosters or make up days for participants that miss dates within their reserved session.
- Program Length :
- 10:45–11:45AM.
- Location :
- Discovery Center Classrooms.
Opens July 15
Homeschool Classes
for ages 5–11
Participants will observe the seasonal changes that influence wildlife behavior this Fall and explore additional cycles in nature in the Spring sessions. Students will register for a 3-course series in the fall and/or spring.
Scheduled Programs
Shifting Seasons
Come discover why seasonal changes happen across our planet at different times of the year and the impact they have on Riverbanks wildlife.
Monday, August 31 (Fall Session A) / Monday, September 21 (Fall Session B) / Monday, September 28 (Fall Session C)
10:30am–12:00pm
Mighty Migrations
From monarchs to bluebirds to sea turtles, many of our native wildlife move in and out of the area for a variety of reasons. Travel along with us as we unpack the factors behind these “Great Migrations.”
Monday, October 5 (Fall Session A) / Monday, October 19 (Fall Session B) / Monday, October 26 (Fall Session C)
10:30am–12:00pm
Hibernating Hideaways
Wildlife (including plants) love to nap but in some extreme ways. Students will explore the behavior behind hibernation, torpor, brumation, dormancy, and even estivation in nature.
Monday, November 2 (Fall Session A) / Monday, November 16 (Fall Session B) / Monday, November 23 (Fall Session C)
10:30am–12:00pm
Wonders of Water
Water is critical to the survival of our planet and is constantly moving from our atmosphere to land and back again known as the “Water Cycle.” Students will dive into experiments to discover magical water properties.
Monday, January 4 (Spring Session D) / Monday, January 11 (Spring Session E) / Monday, January 25 (Spring Session F)
10:30am–12:00pm
Nature’s Cycles
Cycles occur daily around us in nature without our notice. Discover how living things like us, rely on them to breathe, help plants grow, and so much more in this elemental class.
Monday, February 1 (Spring Session D) / Monday, February 8 (Spring Session E) / Monday, February 22 (Spring Session F)
10:30am–12:00pm
Circle of Life
Everything in the great circle of life is interconnected and interdependent. Let’s take a closer look at how we can protect our planet.
Monday, March 1 (Spring Session D) / Monday, March 8 (Spring Session E) / Monday, March 22 (Spring Session F)
10:30am–12:00pm
Program Details
- Birthdate Ranges :
- Level 1 : Ages 5–6 (Birthdate: 9/1/2019 – 8/30/2021)
- Level 2 : Ages 7–8 (Birthdate: 9/1/2017 – 8/30/2019)
- Level 3 : Ages 9–11 (Birthdate: 9/1/2015 – 8/30/2017)
- Cost :
- $60 per participating student per session (3 classes). Note: If you are not a Riverbanks member, a general admission ticket will also be required. We are unable to make changes to session rosters or make up days for participants that miss dates within their reserved session.
- Program Length :
- Programs run 90 minutes.
- Location :
- Conservation Learning Center.
Opens July 15
Homeschool ZooCrew
for ages 11–14
ZooCrew is Riverbanks’ learning program for middle school youth. The ZooCrew meets twice monthly, September through May, to explore the field of conservation biology. ZooCrew will utilize the Riverbanks campus and exhibits to learn about environmental stewardship and the science behind animal care. Participants will cooperate with their peers and Riverbanks staff during classroom lessons while collecting and analyzing data and conducting their own research projects.
Program Details
- Content :
- During the 2026-2027 school year, ZooCrew students will engage in project-based learning by exploring how citizen science research on local wildlife supports Riverbanks’ conservation mission and helps protect the environment. Students will collect and present data on one of their favorite native species as their final project. Through observations, scavenger hunts, group discussions, guest speakers, and behind-the-scenes exploration, participants will discover SC wildlife secretly living alongside our Riverbanks residents.
- Monday ZooCrew Handbook
- Session Dates and Times :
AM Session Only: 9:15AM–12:15PM
- August 31 : Virtual Family Orientation Meeting (9:15–10:15AM)
- September 14 & 28
- October 12 & 26
- November 9 & 23
- December 7
- January 4 & 18
- February 1 & 15
- March 1 & 15
- April 5 & 19
- May 1 : Presentations & End of Year Celebration (3:30–5:00PM)
- Ages :
- Participants must be at least 11 years old and entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the fall of 2026.
- Cost :
- Annual tuition is $530 for Riverbanks members and $650 for the general public, with a $50 deposit due at the time of registration for all participants. Tuition includes all classes, supplies, nametag, and one ZooCrew T-shirt per year. Tuition can be paid in eight monthly installments over the course of the year.
- Location :
- NEW! Conservation Learning Center (Zoo Side).
- Sign In/Sign Out :
- Monday ZooCrew guardians will be required to check their students in and out at the Conservation Learning Center entrance facing the parking lot. Guardians must be on the authorized pick-up list and show proof of ID for students to be picked up.
Opens July 15
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received three weeks in advance of the session start date to receive a refund for your registration. Requests must be submitted in writing at education@riverbanks.org. Registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable should the cancellation or need to change a date occur within three weeks of the scheduled session.
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 cancellations will be provided at least ten days prior to the schedule 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 or portion of the session dates.
Questions about Homeschool Programs?
Please call 803.602.0803 or email us.
