South Carolina Project Learning Tree (SC PLT) Coordinators Matt Schnabel and Shelby Bentley hosted SC PLT steering committee members at Harbison State Forest for a two-day 2026 strategic planning retreat July 21-22.
Members in attendance, both in-person and online, took this time to carefully review and revise the chapter’s guidelines and by-laws, assess the FY27 SC PLT budget, refine and improve goals, objectives and action items in the strategic plan, and also update subcommittee duties to achieve the mission of the SC PLT Steering Committee, which is:
“…to implement the PLT program statewide by supporting the PLT coordinator and assistant coordinator, providing guidance and support to PLT efforts, participating in PLT outreach events, and advocating for PLT.”
Agenda
The retreat kicked off on the morning of July 21 with a forest hike led by Matt and Shelby along the Crooked Pine Trail in Harbison State Forest. Once everyone arrived to the Environmental Education Center, Matt shared some updates from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), PLT’s national sponsor, as well as updates from National PLT coordinators. These updates included increased emphasis on forest sector careers in PLT activities and changes to ordering processes for activity guides. Based on updated guidance from SFI and National PLT, the Steering Committee reviewed and revised its guidelines and by-laws accordingly.
Survey results
In May, Matt Schnabel, Shelby Bentley and Lark Widener with the SC Dept. of Education produced a survey that was sent out to all educators who have participated in a SC PLT professional development event. Much of the remainder of the strategic planning retreat was spent analyzing the response data from this survey to inform new changes to the steering committee’s strategic plan.
During the retreat, several committee members enjoyed catching up over a lakeside team dinner at Liberty on the Lake in Irmo.
Overall, the retreat was a success, and the next steering committee meeting is slated for October 2026.
Thanks to all SCFC staff who serve on the committee and attended our retreat, and thank you to all who support SC PLT!
