Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

The Premier Guide to Thanksgiving: Columbia, SC

Ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in Columbia, SC? This guide brings you all the information you need, whether you’re looking for a place to dine out, some suggestions on sides and pies you can order and serve at home, or things to do to keep your family and guests busy and having fun over Thanksgiving break.

Happy Thanksgiving, Columbia!

Your Guide to Thanksgiving in Columbia, SC

Thanksgiving Restaurants

Let someone else do the cooking this year!

Thanksgiving Restaurants in Columbia, SC

Columbia’s Thanksgiving Restaurant Guide offers places open on Thanksgiving Day for dining out, catering options, and even places where you can just pick up a side to add to your table.

Thanksgiving dinner is in the bag, literally. So load up on the sweet potatoes, corn casserole, green beans, and all your favorite sides and desserts.

Holiday Pies

Pie Time! Where to Buy Thanksgiving Pies

These local bakeries and restaurants are where you can pick up delicious pies and Thanksgiving desserts. No need to skip that pumpkin pie this year.

Things to Do: Thanksgiving in Columbia, SC

Thanksgiving Things to Do in Columbia, SC

Family Time! Things to Do Over Thanksgiving Break

Stay busy and spend some quality time with family and friends. This list is full of ideas about things to do over the Thanksgiving break and holiday in Columbia,

There’s more holiday fun!

Here’s the Kidding Around Guide to Celebrating the Holidays in Columbia, SC

(2025) Holiday Markets and Christmas Shopping Events Around Columbia, SC

Ready to shop from small businesses and vendors this holiday season in Columbia? If you’re looking for opportunities to shop local, nothing beats a vendor fair or holiday market full of handmade gifts, crafts, and tasty treats. They are the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list, plus, you know you’ll be supporting local people and your local economy with your holiday purchases.

Check out these holiday markets, Columbia, SC.

We will be updating throughout the 2025 holiday season as more fabulous local shopping events are announced.

holiday markets and holiday shopping in Columbia, SC

Holiday Shopping Events: Columbia, SC Holiday Markets

Get unique gifts from local vendors at fun holiday markets and shopping events!

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2026 KABOOM Awards: Discover Columbia’s Best

It’s time to pick your favorites for the 2026 KABOOM Awards where Kidding Around readers vote for the best family-friendly organizations in Columbia, SC across several categories. The 2026 winners will be determined based on the number of reader votes. Get your votes in early & often!

Organizations

If you are an organization that would like more information on enhanced listings or a media kit with social media-ready graphics, submit your request here.

All of our Kaboom winners will be eligible for special winner advertising packages. Winners announced in January 2026!

2026 Voting Ballot

The 2026 Kaboom Awards is broken down into two stages. The success of each stage depends upon your submissions! If you love a local business, this is your opportunity to let them know. Nominate and then vote often!

Stage 1: Nominations (Sept 3-15, 2025)

Time to nominate your favorite organizations across 5 categories to determine who will be on the official Kaboom voting ballot! Once an organization has been nominated and approved, they will appear on the nomination ballot below, where they can receive additional nominations. The organizations with the most nominations will appear on the official voting ballot to determine the winners.

Stage 2: Voting (Oct 7-20, 2025)

The top 5-10 organizations in each category will be on the Voting Ballot. Votes will determine a first place and runner-up winners.

You may nominate and vote once per day, once per category.

We encourage the Kidding Around community to vote early and often! Winners will be announced mid-January and celebrated online and at our big Kaboom You’ve Got Kaboom Party on January 28, 2026.

Ready. Set. Submit Your Ballots!

If this ballot does not appear for you, give the screen a moment to load. You can contact bethany@kiddingaroundgreenville.com with any technical difficulties.

Amazing Discoveries at Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, SC

The Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, SC is easily one of the coolest places you can visit in town. They have an astounding array of hands-on activities, exhibits, and even a dinosaur trail. Read on to learn all you need to know to visit. This is such a fun day trip idea!

Thank you to Roper Mountain Science Center for sponsoring this article.

Have you explored the Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, SC? You may have heard the name of the Roper Mountain Science Center and wondered what in the world this is or maybe your kids attended a field trip there. But really, do you know how cool this place is?

With a dinosaur trail, a living history farm, a Marine Ecology lab, and active classrooms you can explore, you can visit multiple times and find something new and exciting at each visit! Plus, RMSC has the only planetarium in Greenville, SC and a giant 23” refractor telescope that you can look through during special events. It doesn’t get much cooler than that!

Looking for more things to do near Greenville, SC? We’ve got you!

RMSC is part of the Greenville County School system and during the week they host classes for science exhibits and hands-on learning for the public school system. However, they have greatly expanded their offerings and hours for the general public in the last several years and there several wonderful opportunities to explore this gem in Greenville. Every season offers something new and exciting at the RMSC.

What is at Roper Mountain Science Center?

The Roper Mountain Science Center is absolutely the place to go for STEM activities in Greenville, SC that are fun and engaging. During special events throughout the year, Roper Mountain is open to the public, and it is truly worth a visit (or ten). From September through May, you can visit during Afternoon Explorations on Thursdays and Fridays.

You can also explore June through July during their Summer Adventure programming, during which an exciting traveling exhibit is set up. And don’t forget their year-round Friday Starry Nights at the Hooper Planetarium.

Kids of all ages will love the RMSC. There is so much for them to see and do from the Dinosaur Trail, the touch tanks in the Marine Lab, the rainforest with its small waterfall, the outdoor play area, the pirate and castle playgrounds, and traveling exhibits.

Environmental Science & Sustainability Building

There is so much to explore at Roper Mountain Science Center that we promise you’ll need lots of visits to see everything. When you first arrive, you will enter through the Environmental Science and Sustainability Building. The building is dedicated to water ecology and sustainability practices and is filled with immersive experiences, a traveling exhibit (in summer), live animal displays, and more.

You can see a Timber Rattlesnake and Copperhead snake mere inches away and see a Hellbender up close as well. Kids love the interactive exhibits that teach them what not to flush down the toilet (parents like this one as well) and how to lower and raise the water level in a lake. Pretty neat stuff.

One of the most popular exhibits is the Nature Exchange. Here, your child can bring in items they found in nature, including moss, rocks, shells, lichen, or other items in exchange for points that they can use to spend on awesome items like crystals, fossils, and even owl pellets.

The Environmental Science and Sustainability Building is only open to the public during special events and Afternoon Explorations and Summer Adventure.

Harrison Hall of Natural Science

As you leave the lower level exit of the Environmental Science building, you can follow the path toward the Dinosaur Trail to the left or the Harrison Hall of Natural Science to the right. I am a huge ecology lover, so I immediately gravitate toward Harrison Hall. Here you will find multiple active classrooms to explore. There are live animals to meet and even touch like docile snakes, lizards, and sometimes even an alligator.

I love the permanent rainforest exhibit since it’s nice and humid and has a small waterfall, cocoa tree, and benches to enjoy the warmth, which feels especially nice during the colder months.

You can explore taxidermied animals, bone collections, specimen collections, and living animal exhibits. Your child can touch snakes, meet a skink, and learn about ecology and biodiversity during their exploration.

The Marine Lab is super popular because you and your children will be able to touch stingrays, starfish, and other sea creatures in the tide pool while learning about them.

The Ecology Lab showcases South Carolina habitats with their native animals, which include a Mountain Trout Stream, a Beaver/Turtle Pond, a Cypress Swamp (with an alligator), and a Salt Marsh. Guests can also check out a live honeybee hive at work.

Harrison Hall of Natural Science is only open to the public during special events such as Summer Adventure and Afternoon Explorations.

Dinosaur Trail

If you decide to head to the Dinosaur Adventure Trail first, then your dino adventure will start with a meet and greet with a Triceratops. All the dinosaurs are life-size models, so be sure to notice the awe in your young kid’s eyes as they notice them towering above them.

Be mindful of the ropes, as RMSC does not allow climbing on the majority of the exhibited dinosaurs. There is a big slide and play area that was designed to look like dinosaur bones coming out of the ground that kids can play on.

Don’t miss the animatronics T-Rex , which moves and roars. It’s motion-activated so you have no idea it’s going to move until you (or your kids) walk in front of it.

The Dinosaur Adventure Trail is open to the public during special events, Afternoon Explorations, and Summer Adventure.

Pirate & Castle Playgrounds

Your kids will LOVE the two newer playgrounds: a large pirate playground for older kids and a smaller castle playground for toddlers.

Both are located next to Harrison Hall and are partially in the shade depending on the time of day. There are benches for parents to sit on as well. Kids really love these new playgrounds as they foster lots of imaginative adventures on the high seas and in the world of knights and ladies at the castle.

These playgrounds are open during Summer Adventure and Afternoon Explorations.

Living History Farm & Butterfly Garden

One of my earliest memories as a kid was visiting the Living History Farm when I was in Kindergarten. With authentic log cabins, a schoolhouse, a working barn, and a reconstructed former slave cabin, there is so much history that you can live the experience. Walking through the gardens, fields, pasture, farm pond, and farm animals certainly lend itself to easily imagining that time period.

The Living History Farm also has an incredible garden in the summer. You will find the Butterfly Garden on the outskirts of the Living History Farm. The garden has native plants that are frequently visited by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

The Living History Farm is only open to the public during special events and Summer Adventure while the Butterfly Garden is open during Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, and special events.

Symmes Hall of Science

If you are a lover of all things STEM, then the Symmes Hall of Science will be the highlight of your trip to the Roper Mountain Science Center. Though Symmes Hall is only open during special events, it is worth it when you get to explore chemical reactions through experimentation, explore Tesla coils and solar panels, and interact with robotics.

Hooper Planetarium & Daniel Observatory

Last, but not least, the incredible Hooper Planetarium and Daniel Observatory. If you are wanting to spark a love for science in your child, this is a great place to start. The Hooper Planetarium is designed with a 360-degree dome with 4K projection and a truly immersive sound system.

The Hooper Planetarium offers special space-themed programming called Friday Starry Nights throughout the year. The planetarium is also equipped with a Laser Fantasy projection system, which is spectacular, to say the least! You can enjoy Laser Days of Summer, Halloween Laser Shows, and Special Laser Events throughout the year.

If you’re looking for a truly magical experience for adults and kids, then head to the Daniel Observatory after your planetarium showing to look through the historic 23’’ refractor telescope. The telescope is the 8th largest of its kind in the United States! You’ll be able to observe Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and more as you climb the steps to look through the scope.

Friday Starry Nights

Friday Starry Nights at the Roper Mountain Science Center on Friday nights is a favorite activity for many. Shows sell out quickly and RMSC suggests purchasing tickets online beforehand. You can find out everything you need to know about Friday Starry Nights in our KA review.

View of the earth from the planetarium at Roper Mountain Science Center

Friday Starry Nights are offered on Friday evenings throughout the year at the Hooper Planetarium. Typically, there are three showings (4:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:30 pm), with each showing offering a unique feature film themed around space. The 4:30 pm show is excellent for younger children to attend and is recommended for ages 4 and older. The 6:00 pm show is also kid-friendly and features a film that is more exploratory of space in a kid-friendly way. The 7:30 feature showing is most appropriate for older children and adults.

Tickets to Friday Starry Nights are $8/adults and teens, $7/kids ages 3-12. The shows are generally not recommended for kids three and under (I can vouch for this – to my dismay, my toddler was scared when we visited the planetarium during an event).

Laser Shows at the Hooper Planetarium

The planetarium also features several special events throughout the year, including Laser Days of Summer, Halloween Laser Shows, Holiday Laser Shows, Pink Floyd Laser Shows, and more. I saw the Laser Days of Summer Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon a couple of years ago, and it was EPIC.

These events are fully immersive, and allow you to sit back and listen to classic albums of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Stranger Things, and more while lasers tell a story across the 360 degree screen. Regularly check the Roper Mountain Science Center website for updates about their upcoming special events and laser shows.

Tickets for Laser Days of Summer can be purchased now, and the event will begin July 17th, 2025. Multiple showings are offered from Thursday through Saturday from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm on most nights. Tickets for Laser Days of Summer are $8 per adult or child.

The Nature Exchange

There are 12 Nature Exchanges in the country and they are like little shops for kids that focus on learning about things you find in nature and seeking out neat things that you may not otherwise see if perhaps you weren’t looking for them.

The Nature Exchange at the RMSC is the only one in the state but it’s connected to the other 11 through a database. When your kids sign up, they are entered into this national database. As they rack up points, if they visit another Nature Exchange on a trip, they can use those points to get something from that particular place they visit.

At the Nature Exchange at RMSC, there are lots of neat items already that kids can choose from if they earn enough points. Each person who signs up automatically gets 100 points plus they get points for their birthday, also. Kids can then choose something from the big Nature Exchange wall that is the same number or less than the points they have accumulated. Or, they can accumulate their points and save up for something super cool like a dinosaur fossil plate or a pretty stone or a big bug.

Kids will find everything from gemstones to intricate shells to mummified grasshoppers and tarantulas. The Nature Exchange is located on the top floor of the Environmental Science and Sustainability Building, to the left of the main entrance.

Afternoon Explorations

Afternoon Explorations is when RMSC is open to the public during the school year. They will open back up in the fall of 2025 likely on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Guests will have access to the Environmental Science and Sustainability Center, the Rain Forest Room, Marine Lab and Ecology Lab in Harrison Hall of Natural Science as well as the Living History Farm when weather permits.

You will also be able to hunt for dinosaurs on the Dinosaur Adventure Trail, play in Wildwood, visit the Butterfly Garden, and play on the Pirates of the Carolinas playground.

Tickets for Afternoon Explorations are $8/adults and teens, $7/kids ages 3-12. Members receive free admission.

2025 Summer Adventure & Traveling Exhibit

Summer Adventure 2025 opened May 28th and ends July 26th. Visit during Summer Adventure Tuesday – Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm. Explore all the exhibits RMSC has to offer, including this year’s traveling exhibit, Wild Kratts: Creature Power—only accessible during the summer.

The traveling exhibit changes every year, so it’s something special and unique to experience. Summer Adventure also offers special programs, including cockroach racing, the Eat a Bug challenge, farm animal interactions at the Living History Farm, period costume volunteers, and more to get children engaged and excited about science.

The Butterfly Exhibit is a favorite of ours and many of our readers. Butterflies are in a greenhouse and guests can go in with some Gatorade on a stick and butterflies will land on it. Or they will land on you! We learned that if you are sweating and wear bright colors, you have a greater chance of a butterfly taking up residence on you.

If you really want to get adventurous, you can earn your membership in the Eat-A-Bug Club on Saturday’s at 11 am or watch a cockroach race on Saturday’s at 11:30 am. Both are worth going for, even if you don’t eat bugs.

Admission is free for members, and tickets are $15 per adult and $14 per child 3 – 12 years of age. EBT cardholders can purchase tickets for $5.

The Butterfly Garden

The outdoor butterfly garden is located beside the parking lot in front of the Harrison Hall of Natural Science. It’s definitely something to check out, enjoy the beautifully landscaped garden, and see some butterflies. If you’d like to make it a homeschool adventure, try some of the books, ideas and activities below.

butterflies at roper mountain science center

Make it Educational

Math: Draw the butterflies with colored pencils (maybe take pictures with a cell phone to reference later) and keep a tally count of how many of each variety you see. Once you return home, turn your tally count into a bar graph. Siblings can compare their graphs and see how they differ.

Science: Use some butterfly books or websites to help you name the different species of butterflies you see. If it’s too much to manage “in the field” just take pictures and look them up when you get home. The following resources may be helpful.

Discuss the butterfly life cycle before or after your visit to the garden. Here’s a great freebie kids’ resource of the life cycle.

Language Arts: Come up with some super sentences about butterflies. Make them factual or fictional. Use the bright colors and textures of the insects and the garden to dress up your sentences with adjectives. Look at how the butterflies move and what they do to pick some great verbs for your sentences.

Resources

This website deals with butterflies specific to our area, and has pictures that may be helpful to you when trying to name species.

The Life Cycles of Butterflies: from egg to maturity, a visual guide to 23 common garden butterflies (J 595.789 Burris) by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards -This book shows the life cycle of butterflies, but also shows pictures of common butterflies and areas where they are found. The Greenville libraries have many other fine books on butterflies with photographs under the call number J 595.789.

If you’d like to know a little more about the purpose of butterfly gardens, or the specific plants and landscaping you see at the garden, check out this portion of Roper Mountain’s website. It lists the host plants and nectar plants found at the science center’s butterfly garden. Many of these plants are labeled in the garden. Spend some time examining these plants.

Summer Camps

RMSC is focused on making STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics- fun for kids, and summer camps are no exception. But summer at Roper Mountain is more than just science: they also offer camps focusing on art, literature, moviemaking, mythology, photography and so much more. Summer camps at the Roper Mountain Science Center are available from K5 through Grade 12, and early drop-off and lunch stays are available for students attending separate morning and afternoon sessions.

Summer camp registration begins in March and camps fill up very quickly. Members will get first dibs on summer camp registration and if you really, really want your kid in a certain camp, you can get the concierge membership, which will ensure you will be able to register your kid(s) before anyone else.

Science on Wheels – Bring Science Lessons to You

If you are looking for a unique and science-driven demonstration for a school program or public outreach program Science on Wheels will bring the experimentation to you. They even have a portable planetarium! The program is perfect for school science days, preschools, library events, family audiences, afterschool groups, evening school events, summer camps, and community centers.

If you think RMSC’s Science on Wheels would be perfect for your group event, you can request more information by contacting the Roper Mountain Science Center directly. Educators can also utilize the many amazing programs Roper Mountain has to offer, including field trips, virtual field trips, e-learning Live From Roper, and more to boost their science curriculum for their students.

RMSC Membership

Speaking of membership to the RMSC, they have some worthwhile packages, especially if your family loves science and technology.

Memberships include free admission to Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, and Friday Starry Nights, special pricing for special events and Laser Days of Summer, and early registration to summer camps. A family membership costs $125 and is easily paid for in just a couple of visits to the RMSC.

Additionally, members get free or discounted admission to over 300 science centers and museums worldwide. This is a great perk when traveling or planning day trips or summer vacations. Just know that the program only works if you live outside of a 90 mile radius of RMSC, so it would currently not work for free admission to the Schiele Museum in Gastonia or the WNC Nature Center.

Bottom line: A membership to the RMSC is a good investment in both learning and entertainment!

Longview Carolina: A Mountain-View Community Just 5 Minutes from Easley

Imagine waking up to a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains—and still making it to Sam’s Club before lunch. That’s a regular Tuesday at Longview Carolina, a 180-acre gated community tucked into the foothills just outside Easley, SC.

We took a personal tour to see for ourselves what Longview Carolina offers and you’ll want to keep reading because it’s everything from fresh eggs to mountain top fire pits.

Thank you to Longview Carolina for sponsoring this article.

Quick Summary: Longview Carolina Offers So Much

Can you imagine living in a community where you could drink a cup of coffee with a mountain view but Sam’s Club is only 10 minutes away? You can at Longview Carolina, a new gated community just 5 minutes from Easley.

We took a tour and wow—this new community blends cozy, adventurous, and practical in the best ways. Think wildflower trails, a real working farm, and mountain-top fire pits.

Here’s what families are loving:

📍 5 mins to Downtown Easley + shopping
🏞️ Private trails, wildflowers, and 60 acres of green space
🏡 Homes that flex with your season of life
🐓 Chickens, fresh produce, and space to play
🔥 The Overlook: Yoga, marshmallow roasts, and sunset views
🧺 Wellness without the pressure—just everyday good living

You’re not escaping life—you’re living it fully, right here in the Upstate.

From Bluebirds to Brunch in Under 10 Minutes

When we visited, we passed breathtaking views, peeked into a birdhouse with baby blue birds, and picked fresh kale—all before heading just five minutes down the road for lunch at The Silos in Easley.

Downtown Easley (5 minutes): Local boutiques and plenty of choices for lunch or dinner.
Sam’s, Publix, HomeGoods & more (5–10 minutes): The full U.S. 123 shopping corridor
Downtown Greenville (25 minutes): Falls Park, Broadway shows, and flights from GSP

Clemson University (20 minutes): Game days, college visits, or lifelong learning
Lake Keowee & Lake Hartwell (30 minutes): For boating, tubing, or sunset cruises
Lake Jocassee (45 minutes): Crystal-clear water and hidden waterfalls

You really can start your day with chickens and finish it with a Tigers touchdown.

Trails, Community Spaces, and Adventure

We walked the trails ourselves—and yes, you really might see a deer along the way. At Longview your family can explore over two miles of private paths that loop through wildflower meadows, woods, and about 60 acres of preserved green space.

Want a longer ride? The 8.5-mile Doodle Trail is conveniently located nearby, linking Easley and Pickens for Saturday‐morning cyclist meet-ups.

At the top of the ridge is The Overlook—a cozy lodge-style gathering spot for yoga, sunset wine nights, and marshmallow roasts.

Add in a resort-style pool, pickleball, and campsites, and you’ve got everyday adventure built in.

Wellness That Happens With or Without a Gym Bag

The community’s design draws inspiration from Blue Zones—places in the world where people live longer, healthier lives. Here wellness doesn’t come with a sign-up form. It’s built into everyday life.

Move naturally: Bike the trails with your kids or stroll up to The Overlook for sunset
Recharge: Catch up with a neighbor by the fire pit instead of doom-scrolling
Eat fresh: Fresh eggs and produce are just a short walk away
Make friends: Join in on shared gardens, club nights, and service projects.

One of the founders summed it up during our visit: it’s about designing a place that helps you live well on an ordinary weekday—whether or not you ever step into a gym.

Pick Your Veggies & Feed the Chickens

The farm here is the real deal. We saw it in action—chickens laying eggs, vegetables sprouting in raised community beds, and berry bushes growing along the trails.

Families are welcome to lend a hand or just enjoy the harvest. Either way, you’ll see kids learning where their food comes from—and probably sneaking a few blueberries along the way.

Homes That Flex With You—Whether You’re Looking for Space for the Kids or Downsizing

During our visit, we heard stories of grandparents building homes close to their kids, families choosing flexible layouts, and even a little girl whose favorite food is tomatoes—grown right in her backyard.

Longview’s homes are designed to grow (or shrink) with your season of life:

Deep porches for rocking chairs, lemonade, and neighborhood chats
Mudrooms with elbow room—perfect for soccer cleats, garden boots, or a wet dog after a creek walk
Flexible guest spaces that welcome visiting grandkids, cousins, or grandparents

Customize an acre with room for fruit trees, or choose a cozier lot closer to neighbors and pickleball courts. Either way, mountain sunsets come standard.

Why Families Love Longview

We saw it firsthand: trails, wildflowers, stunning views, and a real working farm–all minutes from town.

Room to roam: Kids build forts, grandparents walk the trails, and there’s space for everyone to explore
Every day convenience: Groceries, doctors, and dinner spots are all just a few minutes away

Wellness without the hassle: Movement, fresh food, and community come built into daily life
Lake days made easy: Keowee, Hartwell, and Jocassee are all close enough for spontaneous fun

Longview isn’t about escaping everyday life—it’s about living it more fully, right here in the Upstate. Schedule a private tour and see for yourself at LongviewCarolina.com.

20+ Local Favorites for the Best Pizza in Columbia, SC

Are you searching for where to get the best pizza in Columbia, SC? We have found some fantastic locally-owned pizza joints that offer woodfire ovens, a variety of pizza styles, and some that even have vegan and gluten-free options! Whether you’re looking to meet up with friends, take your family out for a relaxed meal, or even just try someplace new, we’ve got you covered on this list of amazing pizza options in the Columbia area.

The best pizza in Columbia is on this list!

Best Pizza in Columbia

Best Pizza in West Columbia & Lexington

Best Pizza Northeast Columbia & Blythewood

(more…)

Heritage Christian Academy: A Community With Your Child’s Future in Mind

Are you looking for a school for your child that has a strong community and values a Classical Christian education? Then Heritage Christian Academy is the perfect choice for your family! Learn more about what sets Heritage apart from other schools in the Columbia area, and how your child’s education will flourish thanks to the strong community they have created.

A special thank you to Heritage Christian Academy for sponsoring this article.

Students at Heritage Christian Academy in Lexington, South Carolina

What Sets Heritage Christian Academy Apart?

Commitment to a Classical Christian Education

Figuring out the type of education we want our children to have can be overwhelming, however, many of us know we want them to thrive in their educational environment. At Heritage Christian Academy, your child will do just that thanks to the framework of their curriculum. Heritage educates with a Classical Christian education model, merging a millennia-old learning process with Christian values.

What is a Classical Christian Education

For almost 30 years, Heritage Christian Academy has committed to raising critical thinkers with enthusiastic educators. Teachers who pride themselves in teaching through a Classical Christian education model intertwined with Christian values. The approach models The Trivium, which focuses on the three ways of learning: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. These learning stages naturally complement your child’s development. The academy teaches children PK-8th in the grammar and logic portions of The Trivium to prepare them for higher education and the real world.

The Christian Biblical worldview is then interconnected in all of the fields of study through daily biblical readings and worship. Students learn the core subjects of grammar, writing, literature, math, art, history, classical music, and Latin in addition to a plethora of special interest subjects.

Laurie Jimenez, the Director of Admissions and Records at Heritage Christian Academy, says “Every day we are here is to glorify God and thank Him for the opportunity to help children grow in His way and His Word, and that is the central focus. Everything else is just an additive.” The education your child will receive at Heritage will allow them the “ability to grow individually” while “gaining skills they don’t know that they need yet”. Throughout their education, each child will have valuable opportunities to “articulate in front of peers, think logically through problems, recognize truth, and have confidence” while learning and practicing from a young age.

Heritage Christian Academy students on an educational field trip.

A Supportive Learning Environment

One key thing that sets Heritage Christian Academy apart is its supportive learning environment for all students. Class sizes are small, so teachers can engage with each student to ensure their academic success. Teachers also provide time after school for additional support, so no child gets left behind in their educational journey.

Along with their core curriculum, students have the opportunity to engage in special interest programs, including chess club, Latin, tennis, Quiz Bowl, spelling bees, Math Bowl, educational field trips, and even a music festival where the children get to participate and showcase their interests. There is even an exciting talent show that the children can be a part of, which is a fun way for students and families to come together as a community while learning more about one another.

Another fun way students receive support is through semester projects that help bring learning alive. Children in grades 1-5 have the opportunity to connect what they are learning in class with their chosen project. Through this hands-on learning approach and support from educators, children excel. The education at Heritage embraces a structured and challenging learning environment so that each child can grow as an individual with the support of their peers and educators.

Building a Strong Community

An education at Heritage goes far beyond academics! Built into the mission of Heritage Christian Academy is a strong community between teachers, administrators, and parents. Teachers walk alongside the parents, because “God gave the ultimate story to the parents”. Here, parents can be a part of social committees, school lunches, and other activities with the school.

Parental Involvement in Academics

The small class sizes allow teachers to recognize a child struggling and allow them to connect with parents. In addition, parents are given guidance on how to help their children be successful at home. Community is vital to Heritage, guiding all students to excel academically and in life.

Families and educators of Heritage Christian Academy on a field trip to Skytop Orchard in Western North Carolina

Learn More About Heritage Christian Academy

You can find more information about leadership, admission and tuition rates, academics, and athletics on the Heritage Christian Academy website. The academy welcomes families who show interest in attending, and school walk-throughs can be scheduled throughout the year.

Heritage Christian Academy
649 Barr Road, Lexington, SC

Where to Go For A Beautiful Winter Hike: Columbia, SC

What’s so great about winter hikes? Columbia, SC offers lots of places to get out and enjoy the outdoors on a hike, and the surrounding area particularly towards the mountains brings beautiful winter hiking opportunities just a day trip away. This winter hiking guide will help you choose your winter hiking destination and pack your bag so you’re prepared for a fun adventure.

What’s so great about winter hiking?

Winter Hiking Tips

Columbia Winter Hikes

Upstate Winter Hikes

What You’ll See & Why Winter is Great for Hiking

Why should we go hike in the winter, anyway?

Expect to see things as you haven’t before. Fewer leaves on the trees means that you can see through them for a view usually hidden. Expect to walk along trails that feel much more open, and expect more lookout stops and panoramic mountain views, even from the valley trails.

What you won’t see many of? Bugs. And snakes (usually). And while it’s colder and you’ll want to layer up (more on that later), you also won’t be dripping sweat and hiking through summer humidity. That right there makes winter hiking a lovely alternative.

Take a peek at winter hiking

Spoiler alert: It’s gorgeous

Winter Hiking Tips

Bring water and snacks. It can be tempting to bring less water when it’s cooler but don’t. It’s better to have too much than not enough, and the dryer winter air will make you thirsty!
Consider bringing hot chocolate in a thermos. The tasty treat will taste even better accompanied by gorgeous views, well earned. And, it can work as a bit of an encouragement for little legs that might want to stop hiking before the end of the trail!
Pack a first-aid kit and emergency supplies. Chapstick, hand warmers, and an emergency blanket are what we’d pack on a mountain winter hike.
Dress in layers. Start with a tank or t-shirt, layered with something long-sleeved and then a jacket on top of that.
Wear or bring hats, gloves, and wool socks.

Winter Hikes: Close to Columbia

If you want to find panoramic mountain views you’ll want to head up towards the Upstate of South Carolina for your winter hike. But if you can’t dedicate a whole day to your adventure, there are still several spots for winter hiking right in and near Columbia.

Pick a place on our Columbia Hiking Guide. Any of those trails can be enjoyed in the cooler winter temperatures.

If that’s too many choices, we recommend one of these three spots!

Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve

Enjoy the open forest, and a waterfall when you hike the trail at the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve.

Harbison State Forest

There are over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails in Harbison State Forest, including and ADA-accessible trail so everyone can enjoy a winter trail hike together.

Sesquicentennial State Park

Enjoy a light hike around the lake at Sesquicentennial State Park. In the winter you’ll avoid insects and humidity, and likely enjoy a much less crowded park. The trail is only half a mile, so the whole family can enjoy it together.

Winter Hikes Near the Upstate

For a longer winter hike in the mountains, you’ll want to plan a day trip to the Upstate.

Check out these 7 Winter Hikes Near Greenville, SC for lots of options or try one of these favorite spots.

Table Rock State Park

In winter, the strenuous trail offers an incredible view. While the hike to the top of Table Rock is tough, it’s definitely more doable in the cooler temperatures. The panoramic view is a huge pay-off.

If temperatures are below freezing, we do not recommend going to the top since the steps to Governors Rock will be frozen over. Instead, hike the Carrick Creek loop.

Raven Cliff Fall s

This hike is great in winter because you can see a whole lot further and you can’t play in the falls anyway. The waterfall is a long distance away from the overlook, you may want to bring binoculars.

Crowders Mountain

Crowders Mountain is near Kings Mountain on the SC/NC border, about 2 hours from Columbia. You can do a five-mile moderate loop trail that gives you incredible views in winter. We could even see Charlotte from the top!

Visit our Winter Guide to Columbia for lots more ideas and winter fun!

How To Keep Kids Safe In A Golf Cart

It’s common to see golf carts scooting around neighborhoods but are children safe while riding them? Pediatric surgeon Stanton Adkins, MD, explains why parents should be concerned about golf cart safety.

Thank you to Prisma Health for sponsoring this article!

Why Should You Be Concerned?

While most parents buckle up their children and use child safety seats in their cars, they don’t use that same care with recreational vehicles. Golf carts are not toys, however, and drivers should be educated about the risks they pose.

“Golf carts are not protective. We are concerned by the increasing number of golf carts we are seeing on public roads, often with unrestrained children riding in them,” said Dr. Adkins.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 1,000 people are injured every month and the majority of those hurt are children and teens.

“Most golf carts don’t have seat belts and people don’t wear helmets when riding in them,” said Dr. Adkins. “These vehicles generally are not licensed for the road. It is frightening to see people driving down busy major roads with very little protection, especially for child passengers.”

Most injuries occur when the cart tips over or riders are thrown from the carts during sharp turns. About half of golf cart injuries are related to falling or jumping from a golf cart.

What You Should Know About Golf Cart Safety

“Most of our streets and roads do not have golf cart paths. We want to remind parents that children can be seriously injured in and around golf carts, so families should use extra caution with these and other recreational vehicles,” said Dr. Adkins.

Dr. Adkins wants everyone to remember these golf cart safety facts:

Children are at the highest risk for falls.
A fall is twice as likely to cause a head or neck injury.
Rear-facing golf cart seats pose a high risk for falls.
Golf carts traveling even at slow speeds can eject a passenger during a turn.
Most golf carts don’t have brakes on all four wheels.
Most golf carts don’t have seat belts or stability mechanisms.
Golf carts offer little protection in a collision.
Golf carts often don’t have lights or reflectors.
Golf carts should not be operated at night.

Need a Primary Care Doctor?

The best time to schedule a new patient visit is while your child is well. Find a provider who’s right for your family by viewing online profiles, star ratings and reviews.

Stanton Adkins, MD, is a pediatric general surgeon with Prisma Health. He is board certified in general and pediatric surgery.

Golf Cart Safety Tips from Kidding Around

Golf cart safety is the responsibility of the driver. The driver controls whose in the cart, the maximum speed, and where you go.

Disclaimer: Kidding Around doesn’t have any expert golf cart knowledge. But having been in a golf cart that nearly tipped because a grown-up thought it would be cool to let a kid drive, I’d like to just take a minute to summarize a few dos and don’ts for golf cart drivers to consider.

Make sure passengers are safely seated before driving the cart, and don’t exceed the number of passengers the cart is designed for.
Avoid sharp turns, sudden starts, stops and fast turns, and don’t drive straight up and down slopes.
Avoid excessive speed and always yield to pedestrians.
This one sounds maybe a little silly, but make sure you know how to operate the golf cart before moving the golf cart. This includes knowing how to use hand signals for turning signals.
Golf carts were made for the golf course, not for regular family transportation. Don’t operate them in bad weather.
Just like the rides at the theme park, body parts stay in the cart. Don’t let anyone hang off.
Use the parking brake when stopped. You pull up to chat with the neighbor for a minute as you’re driving by, it’s time to use that parking brake.
Avoid distractions! Phones, we’re looking at you.
Consider wearing seat belts, and installing them if you don’t have them.
Consider bike helmets for kids.
Kids really shouldn’t be driving golf carts. They aren’t licensed drivers and they don’t have the experience needed to make quick decisions and corrections if something unexpected should happen.