Things to Do in Goose Creek

Art may be a subjective experience, but with 75 regional and national awards, Steven Jordan’s talent is indisputable. A master of watercolor, mixed media, and oils, Jordan’s creativity knows few bounds, and his paintings have appeared in nationally published art books, as well as on TV and film. The South Carolina native now frequently judges art competitions, gives lectures to organizations and strangers in the grocery line, and teaches classes and workshops.

The team of fellow certified captains share their fishing knowledge and intimacy of local waterways with guests of The Reel Deal Charters.

Their expeditions whisk passengers away on inshore hunts for red drum trout, sheepshead, and sunken pirate ships. Though they promote catch and release, the crew happily fillets and packages fish for future meals or commissions its resident taxidermist to create scale replicas of fish let go.

The Reel Deal's captains also organize trips to search for blue crabs, fish for sharks on a seasonal basis, and explore local beaches and marshes. They also narrate sightseeing tours that pass by Fort Sumter and the USS Yorktown or natural sights such as feasting pelicans and ospreys soaring overhead. All excursions take place aboard fleet of boats that each accommodates up to six passengers with licenses, tackle, and free live bait when available.

A Snappy Event brings Charleston residents together for fun and food-centric events held throughout the year. The party-planning machinations started with the Mac Off, a no-holds-barred mac ‘n’ cheese cook off, and have spread to other cuisine-themed bashes such as rib festivals, oyster roasts, and ground-beef food fights. The annual food truck hoedown beats back the February chill with satisfying food and a raging bonfire, while the Top Gun ’80s party on Memorial Day is held from the flight deck of the USS Yorktown.

Disguised by a helmet and mask, a quick figure darts past paint-splattered woodland trees, diving into a trench before blasting a nearby opponent with brightly colored marker fire. On nine fields spread across 60 acres of land, other paintballers similarly dart, dive, and duck behind tubes and barrels in their pursuit of the opposing team's flag. Referees ensure that competitors practice safe and fair play in each bout, and an optional chronograph range makes sure each rental or player-supplied marker fires at a safe velocity. In addition to accommodating participants on its courses, Paintball Charleston's store supplies gear such as CCM markers and matching barrels with the same Hello Kitty decals on them.

At Brick by Brick, owners Kendra and Matthew Randall have developed programs for all ages around the customizable world of Lego models, encouraging kids to hone their STEM skills—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—through imaginative building projects. By guiding students through hands-on construction work, they and their staff of certified teachers convey concepts that range from simple counting to the physics of a pulley system.

All curriculums are centered around age-appropriate activities. Sessions for 2- to 3-year-olds are designed to hone motor skills by stacking large foam blocks. From there, classes steadily progress in complexity: 5- to 7-year-olds begin working with rolling vehicles, whereas 8- to 10-year-olds can motorize their models. The most advanced lesson focuses on computer-guided robotics, and tasks groups with creating a robot that can navigate a maze or packed middle-school dance floor on its own. Weeklong summer camps also result in creations that adhere to a motif. Under the Sea participants undertake marine-themed projects, and burgeoning directors compose a short film to conclude Stop Motion Animation Movie Making Camp.

In addition to hosting their onsite sessions, birthday parties, and open-play hours, Brick by Brick instructors travel to more than 40 area schools to lead enrichment programs. These visits still adhere to the business's central philosophy of teamwork, imagination, and analytical thinking, a framework backed by Matt's career as a professional engineer.

By the banks of the Ashley River at Brittlebank Park, an eclectic lineup of groups from across the genre spectrum will gather to share their love of rock-and-roll. Featuring everything from alternative-rock bands to bluegrass outfits, the Spring Jam Music Fest brings people together for a large line-up of artists. Guests can sip cold beer while browsing the works of artisans and sampling the wares of food vendors.