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"That looks scary," fifth-grader Starr Foster said.
About 50 St. Helena fifth-graders visited Hunting Island on Wednesday as part of the park's 150th anniversary celebration for its lighthouse.
They toured the nature center and marsh boardwalk before learning the history of the black-and-white lighthouse and its surrounding outbuildings. Ed Moneagle, a volunteer with Friends of Hunting Island, talked about the life of a lighthouse keeper and the 132-foot tower's role in aiding navigation before satellite and GPS systems.
Using what they learned, students will create artwork to be displayed at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Performing Arts Center during the official anniversary celebration Oct. 16-18, said Roberta Gunderson, chairwoman for the student art project component of the celebration. Gunderson is a past president of Friends of Hunting Island.
Several hundred county students from about 15 schools will visit the lighthouse before the celebration. About five pieces of art will be displayed from each school, Gunderson said. The park is not charging students for admission during the field trips, she said.
"It's a chance for them to connect the science of life at the park with their creative side," Gunderson said. "The park itself is such a gem. It's such a wonderful resource for them to learn about the ecological system, the habitat out here."
About half of the students said that Wednesday's was their first trip to the lighthouse.
"I'd never even seen it before," said fifth-grader Travis Burton. "It's kind of hot out but the trip has been OK. I didn't have to sit down in class all day."
Mitch Helms, an interpretive ranger and program specialist at the park, said students enjoy seeing the plants and animals they study in science class up close at the park.
"This is a wonderful classroom," he said "They can learn so much out here."
Fifth-grader Destini Wilson agreed.
"There's so much to explore," she said.
