by Environmental Education Program Manager Matt Schnabel
The Wood Magic Forest Fair will be here before we know it, and we need your help!
Last fall over the three weeks of the Wood Magic Forest Fair program, more than 1,700 students learned about the importance of forests, the forest industry in our state and how we help conserve and protect our natural resources. Plus, they had a lot of fun while they learned!
“This was an incredible hands-on learning experience! The activities were fun, engaging, and perfectly designed to help students connect with nature and understand the importance of forests. The staff were knowledgeable, patient, and enthusiastic, making the entire day both educational and memorable.”
Kayla Miller, teacher at Kingsbury Elementary School
Thank you to everyone who helped at last year’s events. It takes a village!
We need YOU!
The Wood Magic Forest Fair requires 26 volunteers daily, so there is no shortage of opportunity for you to lend a hand and have some fun.
Please mark your calendar and reserve a day to help make a positive impact on the next generation of green leaders during this forestry-focused field trip for fourth graders.
We’ll need class guides, instructors and help serving food each day.
Save the date!
• Piedmont Forestry Center (Tamassee) Oct. 6-9, 2026
• Harbison State Forest (Columbia) Oct. 26-30, 2026
• Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center (Georgetown) Nov. 17-20, 2026
Applications for schools opened April 1 on our website. There, you will also find information about volunteering.
How to sign up
- Visit the WMFF volunteer page and look under “2026 Work Schedule” to see what days and positions are available (updated weekly, typically Monday mornings). You can also find lesson plans, driving directions and other information at this site.
- Complete the WMFF Volunteer Sign Up Form with your requested location, date and position. Videos of all learning stations are posted online under volunteer resources if you are unsure about a station.
Put any special requests in the comment box, and please be specific (e.g., I only like to work the Good Fire/Bad Fire station, and I could work on Tuesday or Wednesday, but not both dates). If you select that you are available all week, you WILL be scheduled for the whole week. Please only select the actual days you would like to work, but you can put in the comments that you are flexible/available more if needed.
Thank you!