cousteau in charleston:
Anmal lover's day in Chs

Stop #1

It's a bit far from the rest of our kidtinerary, but with trolley service right across the street, the second best pancakes we've ever had, outrageously fast and friendly staff, and reasonable prices, it's a Made4Minors favorite. The trolley will drop you off at Calhoun street, then walk about 6 blocks to the aquarium.

Stop #2

Don't go to the aquarium without doing this intimate and extremely informative tour that reveals, to children, the real charter of the best zoos and aquariums: to help animals, not put them on display or in shows.

This facility is one of only a handful of places where injured sea turtles can be brought for rehabilitation, and the only one in South Carolina. The director leads the group (restricted to only a few people at a time) to each tank, introduces the turtle, explains the turtle's injuries, how its doing now, and how people can help turtles in general. There is also plenty of age-appropriate information on the life, habitat and reproduction of turtles.

This is a rare chance for children to not only "meet" and learn about endangered loggerheads and Kemp's Riley (our favorite little guy) its a great opportunity to show how a small environmentally-friendly gesture back home can change the world, or at least one turtle's world. Many of the turtles were hit by boats, tangled in plastic bags, choked on garbage or got snagged in fishing-related traps or lines. There is no commercial element to this program at all, although if you ask, she will happily tell you how to "adopt" a turtle to help it's rehabilitation.

Stop #3

One of the special aspects of this aquarium is the staff's dedication to having children leave more knowledgeable and committed to the environment than when they came. Sure, there are plenty of large tanks with the usual local sea creatures (sharks, jellyfish remain the kid faves) but the rotating exhibits, the "shows" (aka feedings) and the staff available to answer questions are focused on connecting kids to nature through emotion and play. The fish feeding show was the best we've ever seen: complete with costumes for two volunteers (a fish & a shark) who where subsequently shown the differences/similarites between them (did you know sharks shed 1,000 teeth per year then just grow 'em back?) and an interaction with a volunteer diver who was talking to the kids from inside the tank. Currently there is a "Camp Carolina" exhibit that has cleverly integrated love of the outdoors and nature with a quasi-playground.

Stop #4

After absorbing as much as they can in captivity, its time to take in the real thing.

Of the boats leaving next to the aquarium, Sandlapper stands apart in the naturalist on board who leads the Nature Tour that includes a trip to an uninhabited island; a touch tank with local marine life; a close up glance at Charleston Harbor's estuary birds, fish and crabs; and a walk on the Morris Island Beach.

Be sure to check sail times before you begin kidtinerary, they vary by season and day.