Compare Made in Carolina: Our History and Culture That Helped Shape America by Road Scholar

Day 1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Isle of Palms, Charleston County, SC D Coastal Retreat Center
Afternoon: Registration begins in retreat center lobby at 4 PM, with coffee, tea, water, fruit, snacks provided upon arrival. As is customary in many retreat centers, please make your bed upon arrival. Let our staff know if we can help you in any way!

Dinner: At 6 PM, start your week of southern cuisine! Tonight enjoy a specially selected dinner that reflects the local culture. For the rest of the week, participants may choose from two entrées for evening meals after the first day. Please let us know in advance of dietary restrictions!

Evening: Road Scholar host and resident manager offer you a warm Southern welcome, along with orientation to the retreat center and program schedule. Enjoy fellowship with other participants.

Day 2
Revolutionary War, Downtown Bus Tour, Sweetgrass Baskets
Isle of Palms, Charleston County, SC B,L,D Coastal Retreat Center
Breakfast: Your day begins with a delightful southern breakfast at 8:15 am. Self-serve coffee is available for early risers.

Morning: Gain new insights on the Revolutionary War from a historian and re-enactor wearing a different period uniform each day.

Lunch: The lunch menu usually consists of soups, sandwiches, and salads, with fresh fruits always available.

Afternoon: Receive a comprehensive overview of historic Charleston by a licensed guide on a bus tour. Learn about sites such as The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and the Charleston Visitors Center, with rest stops at these sites. Group will also view historic St. Michael's Episcopal Church at the famous "Four Corners of Law" in downtown Charleston. This excursion will whet your appetite for sights to see during free periods.

Dinner: Dinner is at 6:00 PM at the Coastal Retreat Center. Our chef knows how to please!

Evening: Together we will enjoy a Sweetgrass basket demonstration. This craft came to the SC Lowcountry from the enslaved West Africans who used the baskets as tools for working in the rice fields. Today the baskets are elaborate works of art that have been deemed the SC "state craft." Learn the history of sweetgrass baskets and see a basket maker demonstrate this unique craft that was handed down from her parents.

Day 3
Revolutionary War & Walking Tour, Historical Homes, Gullah
Isle of Palms, Charleston County, SC B,L,D Coastal Retreat Center
Activity note: Comfortable shoes will make this active day more enjoyable as we walk the historic streets of Downtown Charleston. This is a very active walk over cobblestones and uneven sidewalks. Much energy will be required to fully enjoy this program.

Breakfast: A delicious breakfast will be ready at 8:15 am. Early risers can enjoy self-serve coffee and a walk on the beach!

Morning: Continue your exploration of the Revolutionary War with our re-enactor as we resume our journey through Charleston's history.

Lunch: Our light lunches include soups, salads, sandwiches. Fruit available.

Afternoon: Guided by an expert historian, participants will walk for approximately two hours in the lower peninsula of Charleston viewing exteriors of elegant colonial and antebellum homes that attract visitors world-wide! Touring the inside of some of the homes is a highlight of this active days events.

Dinner: Enjoy more low country favorites from the amazing Chefs who cater our meals at the Coastal Retreat Center.

Evening: Discover the culture and history of the Gullah/Geechee people from a descendant of former enslaved West Africans who reside in the low country islands. Learn of the fascinating connection between the culture and rituals of West Africans and the Gullah people and how these connections continue today. You will learn stories of "the ancestors" through stories and song by a gifted artist.

Day 4
Revolutionary War, Free Time, Sounds of Charleston
Isle of Palms, Charleston County, SC B,L Coastal Retreat Center
Activity note: The Revolutionary War and the impact on Americas foundation becomes more evident through the expert lectures. Free time downtown for the afternoon allows you to personally pursue your own sightseeing, enjoy supper on your own, and the day concludes with a rousing presentation from THE SOUNDS OF CHARLESTON, as local artists present our history through song at the historical Circular Church.

Breakfast: As you have become accustomed, breakfast will be ready at 8:15 am and coffee whenever you are ready!

Morning: Learn of the Revolutionary War in SC from the British perspective with our expert. After, we will head to downtown for lunch, then free time for you to explore on your own.

Lunch: The NOISY OYSTER will provide delicious fresh entrees for our lunch enjoyment.

Afternoon: Explore the Market Area and Lower Peninsula of Charleston at your own pace.

Dinner: Dinner on your own will allow you to select from the many delectable offerings available downtown.

Evening: Experience the sounds that define Charleston, South Carolina and its unique southern charm — jazz, gospel, Gershwin, Gullah, spirituals, Civil War songs — coming to life in historic Circular Congregational Church.

Day 5
Revolutionary War, Local History Field Trip, Graduation
Isle of Palms, Charleston County, SC B,L,D Coastal Retreat Center
Breakfast: Start your morning with a delicous breakfast! Of course, we have grits!

Morning: This morning we'll continue learning about the Revolutionary War as our expert discusses the impact of the War on SC.

Lunch: Enjoy a light lunch. Yes, we have sweet tea!

Afternoon: This afternoon we'll have an educational trip to historical Fort Sumter. Park Rangers share their expert information and exhibitions with explorers to this militarily reinforced island, A Highlight of this trip is the amazing Harbor Tour, allowing Scholars to see a very similar view of Charleston to that of British Invaders!

Dinner: This evening, we will venture to Sullivans Restaurant on Sullivans Island for delicious local fare you will thoroughly enjoy!

Evening: A Closing Celebration brings us together for fun and fellowship. Enjoy the folk music of local artist Bart Saylor. Please be certain to turn in your hearing devices this evening too!

Day 6
Revolutionary War Lecture, Turtle Team Talk, Conclusion
Isle of Palms, Charleston County, SC B,L
Activity note: Weather Permitting, we will venture on to the beach to take a closer look at the nesting habitat of the Loggerhead Turtle.

Breakfast: Enjoy your last breakfast of the program. We hope you have enjoyed our southern cuisine!

Morning: Final presentation by Revolutionary War expert. All participants check out of rooms by 10:00 AM. Please remember to return your room keys. For those using public transportation, a secure area is provided for luggage until your departure. The 10:30 AM class is a presentation by the Island Turtle Team who help protect the nests of the endangered loggerhead turtles. The Isle of Palms is one of the barrier islands of the SC Lowcountry where the Loggerhead Turtles, one of five species of endangered Atlantic Sea Turtles, make their nests. Due to human development of the coastline, nesting areas are becoming more and more dangerous. The Island Turtle Team is a preservation team focused on protecting these endangered and adorable sea turtles. Enjoy this touching presentation and learn about the team's mission and experiences with adult and baby Loggerhead turtles!

Lunch: You may enjoy lunch in the dining room, or prepare a "To Go" box for your journey. "To Go" boxes will be available beginning at 11:30 AM.