Spring Break Camp by Camp Discovery
2024-04-01 05:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
Spring Break Camp
by Camp Discovery
April 1st-5th @ 9am
6-12 year olds — $300
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
April 1st – April 5th
8:45 am – 9:00am DROP OFF
2:30PM PICK UP
6 – 12 YEAR OLDS
register on Eventbrite
$300 for the week!
Limited to 20 Campers!
Activities: STEAM activities, camp games, low-ropes course, hikes, spring themed crafts, ect!
NO REFUNDS! If your camper can not attend the camp your fee will be considered a donation to our scholarship fund. Camp Discovery is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is tax deductible.
Camp Discovery is located at 208 Claude Bundrick Road Blythewood, SC 29016

STEAM Studio: Pottery Refit
2024-04-01 07:00 - 08:00 | In Person
STEAM Studio: Pottery Refit
by Richland Library: Wheatley
Monday, April 1 at 11 am
FREE — ages 6-12
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event. Contact Richland Library: Wheatley Branch for more information and registration
Decorate! Smash! Fix! Join the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in this fun mini archaeology activity where participants decorate small ceramic pots and “accidentally” drop them… oops! Using glue, a brush, and puzzle power they reassemble their artifacts just like archaeologists in the lab.
Click HERE to register: Space is limited

DnD for Beginners
2024-04-02 10:00 - 12:00 | In Person
D&D for Beginners
By Richland Library: Sandhills
Tuesday, April 2 at 2pm
FREE — Teens
Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event. Contact Richland Library: Sandhills for more details and reservations

Interested in playing Dungeons and Dragons but don’t know how to get started? Come join us to learn the process of character creation using D&D Beyond to begin your Role-Playing adventures

In this first of two sessions, we will cover the basics of Character Creation in Dungeons and Dragons, as well as the basic rules of the game. Once completed, you will also have the opportunity to use these characters in our second session, for a one-shot campaign adventure.

Click HERE to Register: Space is limited

Rev War Center: Battle at Hobkirk's Hill
2024-04-03 06:00 - 08:00
Homeschool Days: Battle at Hobkirk’s Hill
by Revolutionary War Center
Wednesday, April 3rd @ 10am
FREE — All Ages
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
Once a month, the Rev War Center will offer a free homeschool educational day where small school groups can come together and experience one of the educational programs offered by the Center. A minimum of ten students will be needed to host these educational programs, if the minimum is not met then parents will be notified a week prior that the program will be canceled.
For parents with scholars of multiple ages, don’t fret. Children 7 years old or under will be given a fun coloring and activity packet to complete off to the side so the whole family can enjoy the day.
April: Southern Campaign Battle: Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill
Focused on the battle of Hobkirk’s Hill, students will be broken into groups and asked to make critical decisions with limited information that will affect the outcome of the battle. Ends in a debrief and discussion with the whole group.
Be sure to register HERE!
The Revolutionary War Visitor Center is located at 212 Broad Street Camden, SC 29020

Shutter Stories
2024-04-03 09:00 - 11:00
Shutter Stories: a Student Photography Workshop
by Columbia Museum of Art
Wednesday, April 3rd @ 1pm
All Ages — FREE
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
The USC Center for Civil Rights History and Research and the Columbia Museum of Art partner on this hands-on photography workshop for middle-school aged students. Participants learn about the work of esteemed photographer Richard Samuel Roberts, whose work from the 1920s and ’30s is featured in the Our Story Matters Gallery exhibition Intersections on Main Street: African American Life in Columbia as well as the CMA-organized exhibition Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, 1890–1945. Following a tour of the galleries, students learn more about the art of composition and practice portrait photography in a recreation of Roberts’ Washington Street studio, with instruction led by photographer and CMA Communications Assistant Victor Johnson. Participants provide their own digital camera; all other equipment provided. Free with registration courtesy of Columbia SC 63: Our Story Matters.
This event is open to all ages, though parent discretion of child’s ability to follow along is advised.
Register HERE

Grow Freely: Gardening
2024-04-03 10:00 - 11:30 | In Person
Grow Freely: Gardening
by Richland Library: Ballentine
Wednesday, April 3 at 2 pm
FREE — All Ages/Families
Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event. Please contact Richland Library: Ballentine Branch for more information.
Find out what we’ll be planting in our Raised Garden Beds – and help us plant the seeds! Learn a little bit about edible plants and gardening while you’re at it.
While you’re here, visit our Seed Library to take home some seeds to start your own garden!

Ballentine Meeting Room, 1200 Dutch Fork Rd., Irmo, SC 29063
803.781.5026

Free First Thursday by Columbia Museum of Art
2024-04-04 06:00 - 15:30
Free First Thursday
by Columbia Museum of Art
Thursday, April 4th @10am
FREE — All Ages
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
Enjoy free admission courtesy of Dominion Energy and extended hours. Last gallery entry at 7:30 p.m.
Columbia Museum of Art is located at 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
More info about the Museum and this free event here!

Crafternoon: Comic Books
2024-04-04 10:30 - 11:30 | In Person
Crafternoon: Comic Books
By Richland Library: Sandhills
Thursday, April 4 at 2:30 pm
Free — Ages 6-12
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event. Contact Richland Library: Sandhills for more information and registration.

Love drawing and storytelling? Come create your own comic book.
Register HERE: space limited

Richland Library Sandhills
763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC 29229
803.699.9230

Money Smarts Workshop
2024-04-04 12:00 - 13:00 | In Person
Money Smarts Workshop
By Richland Library: Main
Thursday, April 4 at 4 pm
Free — Teens (12-18)
Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event. Please contact Richland Library: Main/Downtown for more information

The Reality of Money presentations allows teens to get a glimpse of the future.

This fun, interactive event offers a look at the real-life financial choices students will be making in the years after graduation from high school or college into adulthood. Teens will learn about the impact their choices make on their budget and lifestyle.
This event will be led by Marcia Pierce of Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union.

Teen Makerspace: 1431 Assembly St. Columbia, SC 29201
803.799.9084

Marionette Theater
2024-04-05 06:00 - 07:00 | In Person
Tortoise & the Hare
By Columbia Marionette Theater
Friday, April 5 at 10 am
FREE — All Ages/Families

Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event. Contact Richland Library: Main/Downtown for more information
Columbia Marionette Theatre uses short-strung marionettes, and a wide variety of creative rod puppets to bring The Tortoise and the Hare to life.

The race is on! The speedy Hare is confident that he can beat the slowly Tortoise in a race across the forest. But as this classic Aesop’s Fable has taught us for thousands of years… “Slow and Steady wins the race”. The Tortoise has a few tricks up his shell, and he won’t give up so easily! Columbia Marionette Theatre uses short-strung marionettes, and a wide variety of creative rod puppets to bring this wonderful story to life.

Richland Library Main: Auditorium
1431 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29201
803.799.9084

Local Military Monuments by SC Relic Room
2024-04-05 06:00 - 08:00
Your Local Military Monuments: Memory & Meaning
by SC Confederate Relic Room
Friday, April 5th @10am
FREE — All Ages
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
We will discuss various local military monuments, their history and purpose, and give you a preview of a monument-viewing field trip you can take on your own.
The SCCRRMM’s “Homeschool Fridays” are a FREE program, offered one or two Fridays each month during the academic year. Sessions are at 10:00AM and repeated at 11:00AM Programs are geared toward students of all ages.
Admission to the museum is free with your homeschool association ID.
Website and more info here.

Firefly Gameday Meet-up
2024-04-05 08:00 - 10:00 | In Person
Homeschool Day
by Firefly Toys & Games
First Friday of the Month
All Ages — Free
Note: This is not a Cola City Event. We are meeting up there–so keep an eye out for other Cola City connections!
This free event is the First Friday of the month from 12-2pm. Open to all ages. Located at Firefly Toys & Games, 736 Saint Andrews Rd Ste C, Columbia, SC
Firefly staff will be highlighting and teaching educational board games which cover a range of subjects, such as: Math, Science, Geography, Chemistry and many more.
Use games for education; come learn about it.
And look for other Cola City Homeschoolers! We’re scheduling this as a meet-up time/location for our “Let Grow Club” initiative.

Germany's Great Bavarian Circus
2024-04-05 15:00 - 17:00
Germany’s Great Bavarian Circus
by Bavarian Circus
Friday, April 5th through April 21st
All Ages — $15-55
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
This great German circus experience is coming to you! For the first time in the United States, witness one of Europe’s oldest circus families and their traditional German circus show.
The dynamic duo of brothers Benajmin and David Spindler proudly carry forward the legacy of one of Germany’s most illustrious circus dynasties. As the 9th generation of their family, they remain an indomitable part of German circus history, bridging the past and the present.
A unique presentation of ground, aerial and animal acts brings forward this age old tradition to the modern world.
Buy your tickets HERE. The circus will be located at the SC State Fairgrounds in Columbia, SC.

Babysitting Basics
2024-04-06 06:00 - 10:00 | In Person
Babysitting Basics
By Richland Library: Cooper
Saturday, April 6, 10 am-2pm
FREE — Teens (ages 12-18)
Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event. Contact Richland Library: Cooper Branch for more information and registration
Get your 4H babysitting certification and start your own babysitting business! Learn what it takes to be a responsible, caring, trustworthy, competent, capable, and safe babysitter. Participants will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
Presented by 4H at Clemson Extension.
REGISTER HERE: Space is limited

Cooper Adult/Teen Makerspace
5317 North Trenholm Rd.
Columbia, SC 29206
803.787.3462

International Festival: Global Education Day
2024-04-06 06:00 - 2024-04-07 15:00
International Festival: Global Education Day
by Columbia International Festival
Saturday & Sunday, April 6-7 @10am
All Ages — $0-7
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
The Columbia International Festival showcases the music, culture, food and performing arts of the various cultures, nationalities, races and language groups represented in South Carolina. Since 1996, the event has been bringing together all of the area’s international communities to build better community/race relations between various ethnic/cultural/language groups and with the South Carolina community at large.
​
Recognized among the Top 20 Events in the 10-State Southeastern Region by the Southeastern Tourism Society in 1999, 2000.
• The largest yearly international event in South Carolina and neighboring states.
• An indoor event attended by 17,000 – 22,000 people in each year.
​
Learn about the cultural heritages of around 100 countries, displayed by their foreign-born hosts through pictures, artifacts, and many other items.
Saturday, April 6th: 10am-7pm
Sunday, April 7th: 12pm-7pm

Online Presale Tickets with no fees:
Adults 20+: $7.00 presale / $10.00 at the door
Teens 13-19: $4.00 presale / $7.00 at the door
Childen 12 and under: Free
Buy tickets HERE.
The International Festival is held at the State Fairgrounds at 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201

STEAM Studio
2024-04-08 09:00 - 10:00 | In Person
STEAM Studio
By Richland Library: Blythewood
Monday, April 8 at 1 pm
FREE — ages 6-12
Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event. Contact Richland Library: Blythewood Branch for more information and registration

Join us for inventing, building, and creating, using Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math!

REGISTER HERE: Space is limited

Blythewood Meeting Room. 218 McNulty St. Blythewood, SC 29016
803.691.9806

Partial Eclipse Viewing
2024-04-08 10:00 - 12:00 | In Person
Partial Eclipse Viewing
By Richland Library: St. Andrews
Monday, April 8 from 2-4pm
Free — All Ages/Families
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event. Contact Richland Library; St Andrews Branch for more information.
Come and safely watch the partial solar eclipse on April 8th. We will use a telescope, solar binoculars, glasses, and online streaming to view the event. Event is subject to cancellation due to weather.
Please note: In case of inclement weather, this program will be canceled.
Open to the public, you do not need to be a county resident to participate.

Solar Eclipse
2024-04-08 11:00 - 11:30
Partial Solar Eclipse
by DuPont Planetarium
Monday, April 8th @ 3pm
FREE — All Ages
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
On April 8, 2024, people in the CSRA will have the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse. Join the DuPont Planetarium, Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, University of South Carolina Aiken, and the Astronomy Club of Augusta for this rare event. We will have various options for safe viewing of the eclipse on the lawn of the Ruth Patrick Science Education entrance.
Plan to come a bit early to find your best viewing spot. The DuPont Planetarium is located at 471 University Parkway in Aiken, SC 29801. You can find more info at their website here.

Literary Share Fair
2024-04-09 06:00 - 08:00 | In Person
Literary Share Fair
with Southeast Columbia Co-op
Tuesday, April 9 at 10am
Free — All Ages
Note: This event is hosted by Southeast Columbia Homeschool Co-op. To RSVP as a presenter or just to attendee/learn, contact Kimberly Kelley: thinkingkids@gmail.com
Co-op location is Temple Baptist Church, 806 Universal Drive Columbia. Oral presentations on book studies and literary elements.

Here’s an idea: Shakespeare! Your student can:
*tell us about one or more of his plays or poems
*present a short scene from a play
*read or recite a poem
*dress as Shakespeare and tell us what his life was really like
*research and report on the controversy of “who was the REAL Shakespeare”
*tell us about some of the hundreds of words and phrases coined by the Bard himself!

Shakespeare was born in April, let’s celebrate!

Projects can be something you completed previously or something you prepare especially for this purpose. Siblings can present together…or prepare individual presentations of their own. Either way is fine. We recommend projects that are hands-on, interactive demonstrations or have samples, hand-outs, give-aways.
Tables are provided, but you can bring your own table for your display. Set up from (10 am-10:20 am). Presentation shifts will begin at 10:30 am
Presentation format: The presenters get to tell about their project several times, not just a one-time show-n-tell as participants meander and mingle. It’s also very relaxed style of presenting one-on-one, rather than the formal “speech”.
Open to all homeschoolers, all ages!
To RSVP as a presenter or just to attendee/learn, contact Kimberly Kelley: thinkingkids@gmail.com

Greek Myths in Ancient Art
2024-04-10 14:00 - 15:00 | In Person
Greek Myths in Ancient Art
By Richland Library: Cooper
Wednesday, April 10 at 6 pm
FREE — Teens (ages 12-18)
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event. Please contact Richland Library: Cooper Branch for more information.
The ancient Greeks had powerful stories about their heroes and gods that we are still telling today. We call these stories myths, but to the Greeks they were real, and greatly influenced every aspect of their culture and art. Come hear local expert Charles F. Smith tell the stories of some of the most beloved myths and see how they used their art in paintings, sculptures, and especially coinage, to illustrate these myths.

Richland Library Cooper 5317 North Trenholm Rd., Columbia, SC 29206
803.787.3462

SC Military Museum STEM: Bristle Bots
2024-04-11 06:30 - 07:30
STEM Series: Bristle Bots
by SC Military Museum
Thursday, April 11th @10:30am
FREE — K-5th
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
SCMM’s Homeschool STEM series takes place most Thursdays at 10:30am and consists of a short lesson and hands-on activity.
Space is limited to the first 20 registrants. Registration is required for all participants (students)- adults do not need to register.
Adults are expected to stay with and assist their students throughout the class. All ages and abilities welcome, most lessons are appropriate for K through 5th grade.
Classes last approximately one hour.
Registered participants are asked to cancel their registration in a timely manner if plans change or they are unable to fulfil their spot so that other participants may attend.
Please contact Jennifer at 803-299-2730 or jennifer.gossett@scmd.sc.gov with any questions.
SC Military Museum is located at 1 National Guard Rd Columbia, SC 29201

Ask An Attorney
2024-04-12 09:00 - 12:00
Ask An Attorney
by Richland Library
Friday, April 12th @1pm
FREE — Parents
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event
During the Ask An Attorney event you will have an opportunity to sit down, one-on-one with a lawyer to ask for guidance and direction on any number of legal issues you are facing. Past attendees have had a chance to ask about guardianship, criminal charges, civil
Sessions may be limited to fifteen minutes, and referrals will often be provided if necessary.
Registration is required for your free appointment to see an attorney. Please call the Social Work Department at 803-509-8371 or email socialworker@richlandlibrary.com to secure your reservation.
Disclaimer: This will not establish a client-attorney relationship but can be used as a starting place in your research. The attorney will not owe you any services at the end of the session, unless you elect to retain the attorney.
Richland Library also provides access to Gale Legal Forms, a free collection of South Carolina – specific forms that can be downloaded, completed, and printed. Forms are available on topics such as family law, landlord/tenant matters, and contracts.
More info HERE. The Richland Library is located at 1431 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29201

Living Science Museum
2024-04-13 06:00 - 11:00
Living Science Museum
by Theta Tau @ USC
Saturday, April 13th @10am
All Ages — FREE
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
Join Theta Tau, the University of South Carolina’s only co-ed professional engineering fraternity, on April 13th for a day of learning!
Each semester we host a completely free philanthropy event centered around getting kids involved in STEM and exposed to different scientific ideas and principles. This spring, our Living Science Museum is taking place from 10am – 3pm on April 13th in the Swearingen Engineering Center on campus. The event will feature three different themed rooms: a space room, an ocean/environmental room, and an inventor’s makerspace; along with additional demonstrations on the ground floor.
The Swearingen Engineering Center is located at 301 Main St, Columbia, SC.
Find more details HERE.

Teen Makers: Blackout Poetry
2024-04-17 12:00 - 14:00
Teen Makers: Blackout Poetry
by Richland Library Southeast
Wednesday, April 17th @4pm
FREE — Teens
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
Erasure poetry is a form created by taking a pre-existing body of text and crossing out, removing, or editing specific words and/or phrases to create an entirely new body of work. Also called “blackout poetry”, this process eases tension and allows writers to relax as they select the words of their next great poem.
Find more info HERE.

SWU Campus Preview
2024-04-18 - 2024-04-19
SWU Campus Preview
by Southern Wesleyan University
Friday, April 19 @9am
Teens/Parents — FREE
Note: This is *NOT* a Cola City Event. Contact SWU for more details and registration
Preview Day is a great way to explore SWU alongside other prospective students and learn more about the campus, community, and what it’s like to attend college there. You’ll have the opportunity to tour campus, interact with students and faculty, learn about our majors, and more!
In an effort to remove barriers, there is no application fee and we are test optional, which means students are not required to take the SAT/ACT for admission to the university.
Click here to register for SWU preview day, located at 907 Wesleyan Dr, Central, SC 29630
Southern Wesleyan University Office of Admissions
(864) 644-5550
admissions@swu.edu

SAT Test Registration Deadline
2024-04-19 04:00 - 13:00
Digital SAT Test Registration Deadline
By Collegeboard.org
Friday, April 19th
Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event.
At this time, registration is open for all students for the entire 2023–24 testing year.
All deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET, U.S.
These test dates and deadlines apply to all students—U.S. and international—taking the digital SAT:
Registration Deadline- April 19, 2024
Deadline for changes/regular cancellation/late registration- April 23, 2024
SAT Test Date- May 4, 2024
*Students who need to borrow a device from College Board will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day.
**Late registration is available internationally starting in March 2024. Additional fees may apply.
<REGISTER HERE>
Info on test fees and other policies found at the link.

April Homeschool Skate
2024-04-19 09:00 - 12:00 | In Person
Homeschool Skate
by Three Fountains Recreation
Friday, April 19 @1pm
All Ages — $5
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event. Contact Three Fountains for more information/questions.
Come hang out for skating and mini golf with fellow homeschoolers on Friday, March 15th from 1-4pm. Regular skate rental included, bring your association card and your homeschool friends!
More info about Three Fountains Recreation here. This facility is located at 2724 Emmanuel Church Road, West Columbia, SC.
We don’t have a Cola City greeter to facilitate introductions. The event is usually well attended and should be easy to mix/mingle.

Kinetic Derby Day
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-20 | In Person
Kinetic Derby Day
by iMAGINE STEAM
Saturday, April 20
All Ages — Free
Note: This is a public event. Please contact event host for more information
The iMAGINE STEAM Festival at Kinetic Derby Day is a Celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics and will be held on State Street in West Columbia on April 20, 2024. We are focused on student preparedness and facilitate collaboration among industry partners, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and the community.

Dia de los Libros
2024-04-20 07:00 - 08:30 | In Person
Dia de los Libros
By Richland Library: Southeast
Saturday, April 20 at 11:30 am
FREE — Families/All Ages
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event. Contact Richland Library: Southeast Branch for more information
Join us for our annual celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día. A morning celebrating the art of movement; with families, literacy, entertainment, food, arts-n-crafts, face painting, family games, HENNA and more. We salute the Hungarian, African, Indian, and Taiwanese cultures and traditions. See the beauty of Chile, Ecuador and Panama. Enjoy the food of Spain.
Día is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. It is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures. The common goals of all Día programming are to:

Celebrate children and connect them to the world of learning through books, stories and libraries.
Nurture cognitive and literacy development in ways that honor and embrace a child’s home language and culture.
Introduce families to community resources that provide opportunities for learning through multiple literacies.
Recognize and respect culture, heritage and language as powerful tools for strengthening families and communities (ala).

Dia de los Libros
2024-04-20 07:30 - 08:30
Dia: A celebration of Diversity
by Richland Library Southeast
Saturday, April 20th @11:30am
FREE — All Ages
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
Join us for our annual celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día. A morning celebrating the art of movement; with families, literacy, entertainment, food, arts-n-crafts, face painting, family games, HENNA and more. We salute the Hungarian, African, Indian, and Taiwanese cultures and traditions. See the beauty of Chile, Ecuador and Panama. Enjoy the food of Spain.
Día is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. It is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures. The common goals of all Día programming are to:

Celebrate children and connect them to the world of learning through books, stories and libraries.
Nurture cognitive and literacy development in ways that honor and embrace a child’s home language and culture.
Introduce families to community resources that provide opportunities for learning through multiple literacies.
Recognize and respect culture, heritage and language as powerful tools for strengthening families and communities (ala).

More info HERE. Richland Library Southeast is located at 7421 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209
