Jocassee Wild Child Lab Experiences is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to immersive, place-based environmental education for all ages in the perfect outdoor classroom: Lake Jocassee and the Jocassee Gorges.

The mission of Jocassee Wild Child is to foster curiosity, confidence, and a lasting connection to the Jocassee Gorges eco-region. We achieve this by providing hands-on learning experiences for our local school children, particularly 3rd through 7th graders from rural or poor communities.

❗️Double the Difference for Kids❗️

Help Jocassee Wild Child Outdoor Lab Experiences Unlock $150,000 by December 15,2025.

We have an incredible opportunity to make twice the difference for local students — but only if we act now. The Gutenstein Heritage Foundation has committed a $75,000 Matching Challenge to Jocassee Wild Child Outdoor Lab Experiences. That means every dollar you donate between now and December 15, 2025, will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $75,000!

Together, we can turn $75,000 into $150,000 — enough to connect over 3,300 children to hands-on science and discovery in one of the most extraordinary outdoor classrooms in the Southeast: the Jocassee Gorges. Many of these students come from Title I schools in Pickens and Oconee Counties, and for many, this will be their first-ever outdoor science adventure.

How You Can Help?

Every gift, big or small, moves us closer to unlocking the full match:

And thanks to the match, your gift goes twice as far!

Your $65 becomes $130. Your $780 becomes $1,560.

Why It Matters...

For many children, this is more than just a field trip — it’s their first time on a boat, their first time seeing mountains from the water, their first spark of scientific wonder.

Each Jocassee Wild Child Outdoor Lab Experience connects students directly to the natural world through hands-on exploration, curiosity-driven learning, and unforgettable moments of discovery.

Together, we can Grow Wild Hearts in Wild Places — and double the difference we make for kids.

Ways to Give

All donations count toward our $75,000 community goal — no matter how you give!

Make checks payable to: Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education

Memo: Matching Challenge

Mail to: Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education, P.O. Box 582, Salem, SC 29676