Field Trips

Field trips to local venues such as the Sumter Fire Department or the Sumter County Museum to week-long trips abroad to France and Italy, in addition to overnight trips to Charleston, the mountains of North Carolina, or Washington, D.C., only further expand the experiences and learning opportunities of students. 

7th Grade History & Social Studies Trip

As part of their history and science studies, 7th grade students explored Charleston County from May 6-8. Highlights included two nights aboard the historic USS Yorktown, tours of a destroyer and submarine, the Vietnam Experience Exhibit, and a visit to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. A day with Barrier Island Eco-Tours brought hands-on learning about ecology and marine biology on Capers Island, where students explored marshes, forests, and the iconic “bone-yard beach.” It was an unforgettable experience of learning beyond the classroom walls, bringing textbooks to life through real-world exploration.

Fossil Fun at Lee State Park

As part of their science unit on fossils, third grade students took their learning beyond the classroom with an exciting field trip to Lee State Park. With the guidance of Ranger Laura, they explored the park’s artesian wells, collecting sediment samples brought to the surface to examine under microscopes—an up-close look at the layers of Earth’s history. To further connect with their studies, students created their own leaf rubbings, simulating the formation of carbon film fossils and gaining a hands-on understanding of how impressions from the past are preserved in nature.

Kindergarten Visits Dorr Farm for Hands-On Learning

Kindergarten students enjoyed a fun and educational trip to Dorr Farm in Gable, where learning extended beyond the classroom walls. While picking fresh strawberries, students also discovered the important role bees play in helping crops grow. The day was filled with hands-on experiences, including feeding farm animals and enjoying time on the playground, making it a memorable adventure full of discovery and fun.

ArtFields Jr. Trip Highlights 17 Student Selections

Nearly 40 students and their art teachers traveled to Lake City to attend ArtFields, one of the South’s premier art competitions and festivals celebrating creativity and talent. This year, the artwork of 17 WH students was accepted into ArtFields Jr., a highly competitive statewide competition that showcases student artists from across SC. With over 800 submissions, having 17 pieces selected is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the students’ artistic skill and the guidance of their dedicated teachers.

AP Physics Participates in Carowinds Education Day

During Carowinds Education Day, AP Physics students taught by Mrs. Jessica Duke brought classroom concepts to life by exploring real-world STEAM applications. While riding the Vortex roller coaster, they discussed Bernoulli’s Principle and the relationship between air pressure and velocity. On the SlingShot, they examined spring mechanics and Hooke’s Law as they were launched 300 feet into the air at 60 mph. The Ripcord ride offered a firsthand look at momentum and pendulum motion during a 165-foot free fall. Students also participated in hands-on activities such as building circuits, testing Bernoulli’s Principle in a wind tunnel, and experimenting with magnetic propulsion, supporting Wilson Hall’s mission to provide innovative, experience-based STEAM education. Carowinds is an amusement park in Charlotte, NC.

6th Grade Visits Whitewater Center

Sixth grade students and faculty, led by Mrs. Laura Burleson, enjoyed an action-packed field trip to the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC, where they braved the whitewater rapids, scaled rock walls, and soared through the air on zip lines. This thrilling adventure offered more than just physical challenges—it provided students with the opportunity to bond with classmates, build confidence, and support one another in a fun, active setting. Experiences like these are an important part of learning, as they encourage teamwork, strengthen friendships, and help students develop valuable life skills outside the classroom.

Junior Class Retreat

From March 23–25, the Class of 2026 headed to the beautiful Kanuga Conference Center in the North Carolina mountains for the 20th Junior Class Retreat—a fun and meaningful tradition focused on leadership, loyalty, and legacy. Students unplugged from their phones and plugged into a weekend full of growth and connection. Mornings began with prayer and devotions, and the days were filled with team-building games, hikes, leadership talks, and a powerful keynote by counseling psychologist Dr. Milt Lowder. Groups created inspiring iMovies about values they hope to carry forward, while lighthearted moments like improv acting, an autograph hunt, “Got Your Back” affirmations, and social hours with sing-alongs brought everyone closer together. The retreat left the Class of 2026 refreshed, united, and ready to head into their senior year and beyond with a spirit of servant leadership.

1st Grade Visits Covenant Place

First-grade students brought joy and holiday cheer to Covenant Place residents with heartfelt Christmas carols and handmade holiday cards. Led by Mrs. Julia Sims-Owens, lower school music teacher, their performance lit up the season with smiles and song.

3rd Grade Visits State House

For a fun and educational experience to bring their S.C. History lessons to life, third grade students visited the State House in Columbia. They toured both chambers, discovered the traditions and stories behind the historic building, and learned about the state government. 

4th Grade Visits Sumter County Museum

As part of the curriculum in their U.S. History class, the 4th grade participated in the Wilson Hall Colonial Day which was held at the Carolina Backcountry Homestead at the Sumter County Museum. This recreated homestead, which hosts living history events, includes a log cabin, settler’s house, a smokehouse, barn, commissary (storehouse), loom house, outhouse, blacksmith shop, and gardens. Colonial Day offers a hands-on learning experience of daily life during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Dressed in period costume, the students participated in a wide variety of activities, including colonial cooking and a militia drill. Also dressed in period costume, parent volunteers and teachers assisted the museum’s staff and volunteers with the different activities throughout the day.

Eighth Grade Visits Washington, D.C.

Filling two chartered buses, the fifth grade students and their parents and chaperons, led by the trip’s coordinator, Mrs. Lori Brown, a history teacher, departed for the Washington, D.C., area on October 19 for five days. This was a make-up trip from the usual 5th grade trip to D.C. that was postponed because of COVID. After visiting George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, the group spent two full days sightseeing in the city and the surrounding area, visiting such points of interest as the Capitol, National Cathedral, Ford’s Theater, National Archives, and Washington Monument. They also visited Arlington National Cemetery and the Jefferson, Vietnam War, Marine, Air Force and World War II Memorials. The group visited the Smithsonian’s American History, Air and Space, and Natural History Museums and the Holocaust Museum. They enjoyed an evening tour of the city which included the illuminated Korean War, Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. The trip allowed students to see first-hand what they have learned about in their classes. 
 

Fifth Grade Visits Washington, D.C.

Filling three chartered buses, the fifth grade students and their parents and chaperons, led by the trip’s coordinator, Mrs. Kathy Smith Coker ‘98, departed for the school’s 41st trip to the Washington, D.C., area on October 12 for five days. After visiting George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, the group spent two full days sightseeing in the city and the surrounding area, visiting such points of interest as the Capitol, National Cathedral, Ford’s Theater, National Archives, and Washington Monument. They also visited Arlington National Cemetery and the Jefferson, Vietnam War, Marine, Air Force and World War II Memorials. The group visited the Smithsonian’s American History, Air and Space, and Natural History Museums and the Holocaust Museum. They enjoyed an evening tour of the city which included the illuminated Korean War, Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. The trip allowed students to see first-hand what they have learned about in their classes. 
 

Preschool 4 Visits Fire Station

In honor of Fire Safety Week, Preschool 4 students visited the Sumter Fire Department Headquarters. They learned several safety tips, crawled through a “smokehouse,” practiced dialing 911, completed a fire engine scavenger hunt, sprayed water from the fire hose, and were given a tour of the fire house.

Preschool 4 Visits Local Farm

Preschool 4 students visited the Beasley Farm in Mayesville where they enjoyed a pumpkin patch made especially for them and played in the cotton bins.

Kindergarten Visits Farm

Always an anticipated field trip for kindergarten students, they visited Dorr Farms in Gable where they picked pumpkins, went on a hayride, learned how butter was made, played on the playground, and fed and petted the animals.

3rd Grade Visits History Museum

In conjunction with their early South Carolina History unit, the third grade visited the Sumter County Museum to tour the Backcountry Homestead and to watch the puppet show sponsored by the Sumter Junior Welfare League. Students learned about our county’s history and how the first settlers in our area lived. 

Senior Class Mini-Retreat

As a follow-up to their Junior Class Retreat, the seniors went on a mini-retreat to Camp Bob Cooper on the shore of Lake Marion in Summerton during the school day on September 4. Students participated in group activities such as an autograph hunt, reviewed the iMovies they made in the spring about the traits and characteristics they would like to emulate as seniors, and participated in waterfront activities before having lunch. Mrs. Laura Barr and Mr. Glen Rector coordinated the event.