South Carolina Regions: A Glossary of Terms

Welcome to South Carolina! Let me be among the first to say, “We’re glad y’all are here!” Let’s talk about some of the locational terms of South Carolina Regions.

This glossary of terms will help you get connected to the homeschool resources nearby you. Find some local field trip ideas to get you started. You can explore your region for a while…and then explore the other regions too!

Which South Carolina Region are you in?

South Carolina Regions

Lowcountry Region

The entire coastline is at a lower elevation. Nearer to sea level. So you’d think that all the coastal counties would included. But, when we say “Lowcountry”, we mean specifically the south-east area of the state. The salt-marsh is located here. These counties are located in the Lowcountry region:  Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper, and Orangeburg.

Field trip ideas to get you started:

• Barrier Reef Eco-Tour
• South Carolina Aquarium
• Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center
• State Parks: Hunting Island State Park, Edisto Beach State Park, Colleton State Park, Givhans Ferry State Park, Santee State Park
• Agritourism Passport: Boone Hall Plantation, Middleton Place, Charleston Tea Plantation
• More field trip opportunities: Lowcountry Field Trips

Homeschool resources to get you connected:

• Accountability Associations: CHASC, At Home in the Lowcountry, LowCountry Homeschoolers, Half Moon, PACESC
• Homeschool Support Groups: LCHEA and LowCountry Homeschoolers and other Local groups on Facebook
• Co-ops and Resource Centers: HELP, SHEEP, The Learning Train, Low Country Homeschool Co-op
• The Lowcountry Homeschool Convention

Pee Dee Region

The north-east quadrant of the state is referred to as the Pee Dee. Pee Dee River in this region was named after the Pee Dee Native American Tribe. The 60-mile Grand Strand is located here too. The counties that are part of the Pee Dee region: Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter, and Williamsburg.

Field trip ideas to get you started:

• Kalmia Gardens
• Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
• Medieval Times: Educational Matinees
• State Parks: Huntington Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach State Park, Little Pee Dee State Park, Lee State Park, Cheraw State Park, Woods Bay State Park
• Agritourism Passport: L.W. Paul Living History Farm, McArthur Farms, McCloud Farms, South Carolina Cotton Museum
• More family fun things to do: Myrtle Beach for Families

Homeschool resources to get you connected:

• • Accountability Associations: Ninja 3rd Op, Vine and Branches, Cornerstone, Homeward
  • Homeschool Support Groups: Hartsville Home Educators, HUGS, REACH of Florence,  Ninja Homeschoolers, Pee Dee Christian Home Educators, Sumter Area Family Educators and other Local groups on Facebook
  • Co-ops and Resource Centers: Anchor Homeschool Co-op and Pathways for Scholars

Midlands Region

The central area of the state is called the Midlands. Sometimes also called the Sandhills. The State Capitol is located here. The counties that make up the Midlands: Aiken, Barnwell, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, and York.

Field trip ideas to get you started:

• Edventure and State Musuem
• Riverbanks Zoo
• One Columbia Arts and History tourism
• State Parks: Sesquicentennial State Park, Dreher Island State Park, Aiken State Park, Barnwell State Park, Andrew Jackson State Park, Landsford Canal State Park, Lake Wateree State Park and the SC State House
• Agritourism Passport: Anne Springs Close Greenway, Goat Daddy’s Farm, Windy Hill Orchard
• More family fun things to do: CSRA Kids (Aiken/Augusta)

Homeschool resources to get you connected:

• Accountability Associations: Alliance (AHA), Carolina Homeschooler, Faithful Scholars, REACH the TOP, Safe in HERALD5, SCAIHS.
• Homeschool Support Groups: Cola City Homeschoolers, CHALK, SHIELD, Fort Mill Area Homeschoolers, Rock Hill Area Homeschoolers, YEAH, CSRA Home Educators
• Co-ops and Resource Centers: HERO, School of the Minds, Excelsior! Academy, Chapin Academy, Arrows Academy, Learn Bravely, Lexington Co-op, Monday’s Artist/Writer’s Circle, Principia, Pathways Co-op,
• Homeschool Expo
  
  
  
  

  Upstate Region

  The north-west corner of the state is called the Upstate, Upcountry, or Piedmont. Sometimes this region is called the Foothills because the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains are located here. The counties that are part of the Upstate: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Union.

  Field trip ideas to get you started:

  • Roper Mountain Science Center
  • Children’s Museum of the Upstate
  • BMW Museum and Factory Tours
  • State Parks:  Table Rock State Park, Oconee State Park, Jones Gap State Park, King’s Mountain State Park, Paris Mountain State Park, Hickory Knob State Park, Croft State Park
  • Agritourism Passport: Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of SC, Happy Cow Creamery, Split Creek Farm
  • More family fun things to do: Kidding Around Greenville and Kidding Around Spartanburg

  Homeschool resources to get you connected:

  • Accountability Associations: Academic Advantage, HEART, HOPE, Oconee County 3rd Option, Piedmont Home Educators, The SC Homeschool Accountability Association, United Community of Homeschoolers Unlimited
  • Homeschool Support Groups: Anderson Homeschool Support, CHOICE, Easley Home Educators, UCHU, Tri-County Homeschoolers and other Local groups on Facebook
  • Co-ops and Resource Centers: Artios Academy, CHEE, Explorers Co-op, Foothills Christian Co-op, Homeschool Resource Center, Hope Co-op, Ignite, Stars Co-op, Upstate Homeschool Co-op, UCHU-STEAM Academy, Vanguard Academy
  • Upstate Homeschool Expo and Great Homeschool Convention in Greenville

  There’s not a real boundary line for these regions. So some of the counties may be considered in another region than I have listed. Feel free to identify yourself in another region, if you prefer. I’d love to know where you are–and what resources you recommend for newcomers to your area.

  Let’s explore and get to know the South Carolina Regions!
  Where would you go? Tell me in the comments

  More about Getting Started Homeschooling in South Carolina: