School Field Trips
Why Visit the Charleston Tea Plantation?
A visit to our Plantation will afford your students the
following opportunities:
1. Students will learn the origin and history of tea.
2. Students will witness first hand the daily operations
of a working tea farm and manufacturing plant.
3. Students will learn how the leaves are harvested and
actually processed into tea.
4. Students can experience the taste of American
Classic Tea, the freshest tea grown and produced right
here on the grounds of the Charleston Tea Plantation.
What does a Filed Trip to the Charleston Tea
Plantation Entail?
1. Students will take the Factory Tour, where the
Bigelow's themselves, via flat screen televisions, guide them down
a glass tourway overlooking the factory. Students will
learn about the history of tea, the harvesting and production
of our own American Classic Tea, and the story of the
Charleston Tea Plantation.
2. You can chose between two different types of
presentations...
-HISTORICAL PRESENTATION-An interactive presentation from a
knowledgeable member of our staff on the history of tea with
historical highlights covering different countries and periods of
time, including the American Revolution and its' ever famous Boston
Tea Party.
-or-
-HORTICULTURAL PRESENTATION-A guided walk around the tea
fields or a guided visit to one of our numerous irrigation ponds
during which a knowledgeable memeber of our staff will share facts
about the Camelia Sinensis plant and its'
resiliency. This plant is currently used to produce both
black and green American Classic Teas and exists in
over 320 varieties on the 127 acre grounds of the Charleston Tea
Plantation.
What Are My Other Options?
1. You can choose to take the Trolley Tour, where
students can enjoy a scenic ride around our 127 acre
farm. The Tour is narrated by William Barclay Hall,
founder of American Classic Tea and world renowned Tea
Taster. He will educate students about the history of
America's own tea garden while challenging their
knowledge of tea.
2. If you opt for the American Classic Goodie
Bag, students would receive a recycled, re-usable cloth tote filled
with fun souvenirs such as our Explore the World of Tea DVD and a
sample of American Classic Tea.
How Much Time Will I Need?
You decide how long you want to stay at the Plantation and how
much you want your students to experience on their
visit. We would suggest that you give your class a minimum of
2 and a half hours to soak in all that the Charleston Tea
Plantation has to offer.
As a point of reference, here is the timeline that we
suggest you follow...
-15 minutes to enjoy the Factory Tour
-25 to 30 minutes to take the Trolley Tour
-10 minutes to enjoy a nice glass of iced American Classic
Tea
-15 minutes to visit our unique Plantation Gift Shoppe.
Here students can shop a vast variety of teapots
and accessories as well as Charleston Tea Plantation souvenirs
and of course American Classic
Teas. Students can also check out our custom made
map highlighting 'The Tea Producing Countries of the
World.'
-10 minutes to visit our 
Propagation Hut
-25 minutes to listen to and participate in a
private presentation
-25 minutes to enjoy a picnic lunch in our scenic picnic area
surrounded by Live Oak Trees
A Field Trip to the Charleston Tea Plantation will
encompass science, history, math, and geography. Our staff
will engage students at their level of understanding and
challenge them by asking questions at the end of each Tour
and/or presentation. Students will also be encouraged to
ask their own questions and to participate as volunteers in certain
activities.
The standard School Field Trip includes the Factory Tour and one of
the presentation options. It can be upgraded to also
include the Trolley Ride and/or
American Classic Goodie Bag at an additional
cost. Please call 843-559-0383 or e-mail Bryn Riley
at briley@rcbigelow.com for
pricing.