Field Trips and Group Visits

Each year, more than 100,000 school children make a visit to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Whether you teach preschool or high school, we have a school program to fit your needs! All programs are carefully crafted around South Carolina Science Academic Standards and are developed to involve your students in active, student-centered learning. Enhance your field trip with one of our engaging education programs. Please plan to bring one adult chaperone for every 10 children.

Riverbanks offers a variety of “Jungle Meals” especially designed for school groups looking for an organized, on-site lunch option for a minimum of 25 individuals. Jungle Meals are available Monday–Friday, during Zoo hours and are delivered to our sheltered Safari Camp picnic pavilion. Reservations and Jungle Meal orders must be booked at least two weeks in advance, with final meal counts or changes to Jungle Meal orders due 2 business days prior to your visit date. If your group will be participating in an education program, please be sure to schedule your meal time at least 20 minutes after the end of your program. For more information, please call 803.602.0803.

All members of your group should plan to arrive and enter together. Upon arrival, please have one group representative check-in at the ticket window with the following items: a complete count of students and chaperones, your confirmation letter, and a lump sum payment. Credit card or check is preferred but cash will be accepted in large bills only. Group members not entering with the entire party will be charged full price.

If you plan to leave the Zoo during your visit, please depart as a group and return as a group by showing your ticket stub or receipt. Individuals from your group will not be allowed back in to the park without proof of purchase.