Day/Field Trip Ideas in Liberty County
Whether you’re an educator or just someone who enjoys a good day trip, we thought a list of neat places to see/go/explore would be useful, along with some ways to incorporate these into lesson plans for teachers! To get you started, we’ve created a list of places you can go right here in Liberty County! We’ve even included a few ideas for how to connect them to your curriculum, but the options are truly endless.
1. Cay Creek Wetlands Interpretive Center
Cay Creek offers students a truly fascinating experience, boasting 6 unique ecosystems along the raised boardwalk. As people walk the trail, they can observe the wildlife and landscape of the wetlands as they transition from freshwater to brackish water. The area has habitats for numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and birds, as well as a wide variety of plants and trees. There is even a 15-foot observation tower which offers a “birds-eye” view of the area! And the boardwalk itself is wheelchair accessible!
It’s an obvious dream-trip for a science teacher, but it offers a historic site, too! There are low earthen beams to be seen throughout the area, remains of a system of dikes used to flood the rice fields. Additionally, you could take an English class out to practice descriptive writing or a math class to sketch the site, practicing measurements and scaling. The best part? Since this trip is entirely outdoors and self-guided, there is no cost to visit!
Founded in 1871, Dorchester Academy is the only site in our area that is part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Its rich history provides a plethora of opportunities for exploration. Founded by the American Missionary Association, it began as a school for freed slaves, and in the early 1900s it was a fully-accredited high school with 300 students. The academic program ended in the 1940s and it has since served as the Dorchester Cooperative Center and has become a place for community development. Inside the building you can even visit the bedroom where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stayed when he came to meet with various leaders to plan “Project C.” A National Historic Landmark, it is the perfect spot for a history tour and it’s free to visit (although donations are suggested). You just need to schedule your tour in advance.
This could easily become a multi-disciplinary trip. Combine history and English in one activity, having students tour the grounds then write as a character from some time in Dorchester’s history. For science, have them research the restoration and preservation processes needed to keep places like this around for future generations. During the years it served as a school, students walked up to 8 miles per day to get there, so have math students calculate how long the walk would take. A great math lesson, it will also demonstrate the students’ incredible dedication to education.
3. Fort Morris
Fort Morris was originally built to protect Sunbury Harbor during the Revolutionary War, but it has been used repeatedly throughout history. Col. John McIntosh famously turned the British away in November of 1778, telling them to “Come and Take it!” when he was ordered to surrender the fort. While the British came back with a larger force in January of 1779 and conquered the 200 soldiers stationed there, it was used once again against the British in the War of 1812. The earthenworks were used a final time during the Civil War, and they remain for visitors to see today. Students can visit the earthenwork remains any day of the year, but Fort Morris also offers several annual events with reenactments of battles and everyday life in the fort.
History teachers will find plenty of connections to their curriculum, but the other subjects aren’t left out. Science teachers can have students calculate the force or trajectory of cannon fire, and the effects of the earthenworks on their velocity. English teachers can have students write in character or practice informational writing, and science teachers can have students study the processes involved in blacksmithing or the weaponry used in the wars. Because Fort Morris is a Georgia State Park and Historic Site, you can visit the area for free. (If you’re planning to attend one of the annual events, please check with the event organizers to determine what requirements and/or fees are associated with that event.)
With a colonial style plantation cottage, a cemetery and a church built in 1792 all on the same property, there is a lot to see and learn at the Midway Museum. They house historic artifacts and offer tours related to the colonial, Revolutionary War and Civil War eras, so this is a field trip that can work for a variety of topics. There is a small charge for the museum tour, and you will need to schedule the tour in advance.
Students touring the buildings and grounds can enjoy seeing their history class come to life, but they can also practice skills in other disciplines. Math teachers can discuss the idea of inflation and have students perform calculations based on how prices of the historic items, or even the land and buildings themselves, have changed over time. English teachers can have students research more in depth a particular item or place they learned about during the tour and have them give a small presentation to the class about what they find. Science teachers can use the headstones in the historic cemetery to discuss the processes of weathering and erosion with students, letting them see the effects of both first-hand.
The Options are Endless…
While we focused primarily on the core subjects for this blog, there are some amazing places right here in our beautiful county where you can take your students to see your lessons in action no matter what subject you teach. If you need help finding options or have any questions, we have a lot of resources on our website to help you out. We have sample itineraries, and we have descriptions of many local attractions. Our staff is happy to help you too! You’re always welcome to give us a call or stop by our office located inside the historic Bacon Fraser House.
Meagan Upole – Creative and Content Coordinator at the Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Right Blend Blog is written by two different authors employed by the Liberty County Chamber/CVB. As we are able, we rotate weeks and each writes about our individual experiences, opinions and let our writing reflect our personalities and creativity. All content provided on The Right Blend blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.
