The South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026–2027 school year at Camp Leopold, South Carolina's premier conservation and outdoor education program serving students across the state.
Through a combination of immersive onsite field trips at the SCWA Wildlife Education Center in Pinewood and Camp Leopold Plus+ in-school programming, Camp Leopold provides hands-on learning experiences that connect students with South Carolina's natural resources while reinforcing state curriculum standards.
Each year, Camp Leopold reaches thousands of students through engaging lessons focused on wildlife, ecology, conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship. Programs are designed to make learning exciting while helping educators meet classroom objectives through experiential education.
"Our goal is to increase conservation literacy in the next generation by getting students actively engaged in the outdoors," said Jami Lisenby, Education Director for the South Carolina Waterfowl Association. "Whether students visit our Wildlife Education Center or participate in a Camp Leopold Plus+ program at their school, they gain valuable hands-on experiences that bring science and conservation concepts to life."
Students visiting the SCWA Wildlife Education Center can participate in a variety of interactive activities including live animal encounters, archery instruction, canoeing, wetland ecology studies, outdoor team-building challenges, climbing activities, ziplining, and wildlife-focused educational programs. These field trips provide a unique opportunity for students to learn in a natural outdoor classroom while developing confidence, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.
For schools unable to travel to the Wildlife Education Center, Camp Leopold Plus+ brings conservation education directly into the classroom. These in-school programs allow SCWA educators to deliver engaging lessons and hands-on activities that align with South Carolina academic standards while making learning both memorable and impactful.
During the 2024–2025 school year, Camp Leopold served more than 12,900 students through Camp Leopold Plus+ programs and welcomed nearly 1,000 students to the Wildlife Education Center for onsite educational experiences.
Teachers and school administrators are encouraged to register early, as many popular dates fill quickly throughout the school year.
Additional information about available programs, scheduling options, and registration can be found by visiting the Camp Leopold section of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association website or by contacting the Camp Leopold team at educationprograms@scwa.org.
About Camp Leopold: Camp Leopold is the education initiative of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association and is dedicated to providing high-quality conservation and outdoor education experiences for students across South Carolina. Through onsite field trips and in-school programming, Camp Leopold helps students develop a deeper understanding of wildlife, natural resources, and environmental stewardship while supporting classroom learning objectives.
About the South Carolina Waterfowl Association: The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to enhancing and perpetuating South Carolina's wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation. Through its education programs, wildlife management initiatives, and conservation partnerships, SCWA works to ensure future generations have opportunities to connect with and appreciate the outdoors.