Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s Senior Explorers program encourages greater use of our state’s natural resources, promotes healthy and active living, and provides outdoor skills for participants.  Funded as a pilot program through Palmetto Health Hospital, Senior Explorers will run through September 2009.  Upon successful completion of the program, additional funding may be provided.

We have many exciting classes and hikes planned for the coming months.  Our goal is to teach a combination of health and fitness mixed with outdoor education and recreation. 

What is Senior Explorers:

Fitness 15:  The first 15 minutes of each class will be focused on a fitness topic such as yoga, muscular strength and flexibility, stress reduction, nutrition, and cardiovascular health.  These different activities will be incorporated into the hike, and can also be beneficial in your everyday lives.

Outdoor Education:  Detailed training and instruction in areas that correlate with the hike, expanding participant’s knowledge and skill base in outdoor topics.  Using hands-on materials and field guides, we will explore passages of the Palmetto Trail as well as other local natural areas.  Class topics include wildlife, trees, natural history, and birding.

Destination: A specific pre-decided location of interest will be set as the center of the day’s outing, encouraging participants to expand their comfort zones and drawing awareness to scenic natural and historic locations.  During the hike, participants will “Take 5” where they will receive a healthy snack and discuss a nutritional topic such as portion control, label reading, healthy substitutions, and proteins, carbs, and fats.

Senior Explorers Summer/fall schedule: 

      June 5^th- 10am at The Heritage at Lowman- Label Reading, Nutritional Snacking, and The Wildlife Around You

July 24^th- Exercise Fundamentals and a hike on the Peak to Pomaria Passage of the Palmetto Trail

August 10^th- Healthy Eating Habits, History Hike- Thomas Sumter’s tomb, hike and lunch at Poinsett State Park

August 28^th- Lake Moultrie Paddling Trip (FULL)

September 18^th- Owl Prowl at Congaree National Park

Call (803)771-0870 to sign up for an event!