The annual Wood Magic Forest Fair celebrated its 25th year as a comprehensive environmental education program correlated to state curriculum standards in science and language arts in 2024. This day program of forestry-related educational experiences and demonstrations combines hands-on activities with visually engaging presentations to teach children about the importance of forest lands to wildlife, the economy and our daily quality of life.
More than 30,000 students from every corner of the state have participated in the program since its inception in 1999, the overwhelming majority of whom demonstrate a significant gain in knowledge about forests after attending. Wood Magic continues to be successful for many reasons. The teacher comments below feature some of the important ways Wood Magic does make a difference!
–Valerie Hoyt-Parrish, Cutler Jewish Day School
“I love how the program debunks so many common myths about forestry in S.C.
The comparison between conservation and preservation is wonderful!”
“What a fantastic day teaching our students about the importance of trees and forests!! Even our new chaperones said that they learned something as well! All in all, a great day and we absolutely loved Harbison State Forest! Beautiful. I want to bring my son back there one day soon!
I love how much the kids learn about the importance of trees. They have no idea about how many products they use on a daily basis come from trees. Thank you for all that you guys do to make this program so successful and beneficial for those younger generations! It is all about education. Hope to see you all in 2025!”
–Dana Shafer, Camperdown Academy
“For many of our students and those in our demographics, getting outside in nature is a rarity. It was worth so much to have a field trip where they could be outside, learn about what’s outside, and hopefully with the exposure, will develop an interest in what lies outside the virtual world.”
–Kelly Hill, Dutch Fork Elementary
–Sabrina Martin, Whitmire Elementary
“All great! The stations allowed for student movement and involvement.
Students really loved the goody bags!”
“It was super organized! The information was presented at an age-appropriate level, was well-planned, and in a way that was entertaining to the kids.”
–Blair Sydow, Holy Trinity Lutheran School
“The Fair was well-organized, informative, age and grade level appropriate with connections to SC State Science Standards. It was wonderful to see the students enjoying themselves outdoors for the day. A day in the woods is something most of my students have never experienced.”
–Christine White, Palmetto Bays Elementary