TRIPS

Club trips throughout the year include Local Day Trips as well as Multi-Day/Overnight trips. POP-UP Field Trips will be local day trips that will be announced no more than 11-days before the Field Trip. Registration will close 10-days after Field Trip announcement. POP-UP Field Trips will not appear on the TRIPS webpage.

All members and invited non-member guests must have signed the Waiver of Liability Hold Harmless Agreement to be able to participate in any PCSCHH activities including trips. For Members, this agreement is on the club membership and renewal form. As trips are finalized, information will be posted to the site and emailed to members. This is a great opportunity to socialize with and learn from your peers and experience the wonderful photographic opportunities in the area.

Contact Doug Scott deraildh2@aol.com or Laurie Kellum laurie12570@gmail.com with any questions concerning club trips.

Club Trips 2026
Maggie Valley and the Smoky Mountains
Dates:  October 26-30, 2026
 
This fall our club trip will take us to Maggie Valley and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Days are planned to see various aspects of the landscape and wildlife as well as interesting structures. The plan is to travel out to Maggie Valley and our hotel – The Comfort Inn & Suites where we have stayed before – meet there and head over late afternoon to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to photograph the elk. Another day will be  morning time in the Cataloochee  Valley followed by tracking down and photographing old barns. Another day will begin at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, then follow a ‘no-hike’ waterfall drive, ending up back at the Oconaluftee for the afternoon elk. One more day will begin at Newfound Gap for Sunrise, then back to Oconaluftee and elk, followed by a stop at Mingus Mill and drive down to Bryson City for lunch and a few more waterfalls. The day to leave will begin with a group breakfast in Maggie Valley, then working our way home as we choose.  
 
A final itinerary will be formalized as we confirm the number of attendees as well as weather.
 
Hotel Information:

Comfort Inn, 3282 Soco Rd., 

Maggie Valley, NC, 2875
 
You will need to complete the online registration form linked below as well as call or book online with the hotel directly.  The cost will be about $414 after taxes for the 4 nights.  We currently have 14 rooms on hold – 1/2 King bed and 1/2 2 queen beds. You must reserve your room by October 12th as any remaining rooms will be released on that date.  To receive the group rate our code/information is:
Group Name: Sun City Photography Club
Group Number:  GQ82Q6
 
Other expenses:  While there is no entrance fee for the Smoky Mountains, there is a parking fee if you are parked longer than 15 minutes.  It is $5 per day or $15 per week.  
 
Click here to register
 
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, SC
Dates:  Tuesday,  November 10th 2026
Meet in the Town Center parking lot at 7:00am, depart at 7:15
 
Admission:  $27.95 for adults, with discounted Senior Rates (Ages 62+) available for $25.95 when purchased in advance online.  If we have a large enough group (more than 15) we can also qualify for a group rate.  So please do not purchase tickets until we know how many will be attending and the Trips Team will coordinate the group rate if we have enough.
 
Excellent for all camera types
 
Spanning 170 acres along the scenic Lower Saluda River, Riverbanks offers an incredible variety of subjects for photographers of all skill levels. From high-speed wildlife action to macro botanical shots and historic ruins, this excursion is the perfect opportunity to practice your technique and capture stunning new images for all cameras.  Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is very accessible.  It allows people with disabilities to use wheelchairs (manual and electric powered), electric scooters (3 & 4 wheel models) and manually powered mobility aids such as walkers, canes, crutches, braces and other similar devices into all public areas of the park.
 
Additional park info can be found at https://www.riverbanks.org/
 
Click here to register
 
 Future Club Trips

Save the Dates – Details to follow

2026
December 11th – Savannah/Plant Riverside for Holiday lights/decor
December 20th – Solstice Sunrise at Darrien
2027
February 21st – 25th – Titusville Trip/Merritt Island
April 20th – 21st – Okefenokee Swamp and Cumberland Island
June 3rd – 5th – Helen, Georgia for Hot Air Balloon Festival 
 
No Sign-up Events
Angel Oak Park

Address: 3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
Date & Time: Any Time
Admission: Free
Website: https://angeloaktree.com/
Nestled in the heart of Angel Oak Park on Johns Island, South Carolina.
The Angel Oak Tree stands 66.5 feet (20 meters) tall, and this ancient Southern live oak has been
captivating visitors from around the world with its grandeur. The Angel Oak Tree age is estimated to
be 400-500 years old

 

Old Sheldon Church Ruins

Address: Old Sheldon Church Rd, Yemassee, SC 29945
Date & Time: Any Time

Admission: Free
Destination Description: All that remains of the church are the Greek Revival columns, walls &  a graveyard from the 1750s stand amid oaks covered in Spanish moss. Destroyed by the British, rebuilt and destroyed again by the Union Army, is a favorite for Low Country visitors!

 

Port Royal Cypress Wetlands

Address: 1700 Paris Ave, Port Royal, SC 29935
Date & Time: Any time
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.portroyal.org/
Destination Description: Walk around this spring and summer and see egrets, blue herons, night
herons, roseate spoonbills nesting and raising their young. The Cypress Wetlands has a boardwalk
over the swamp where you can get some great views of the birds and their nest. The early morning
and late afternoon are great times to visit.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Destination: Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Address: 40 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Date & Time: Any Time
Admission: 62+ $25 p/p for other ticket prices go the website below
Website: For more information and purchase tickets click on the following link:
www.patriotspoint.org

Whether you are stopping by for a few hours or planning to spend the
whole day, there is plenty to explore at Patriots Point. Your visit includes access to two historic ships,
27 aircraft, the immersive Vietnam Experience, the Medal of Honor Museum, and more—all in one
unforgettable setting. Admission includes the USS Yorktown, USS Laffey, the Vietnam Experience Exhibit, and the
Medal of Honor Museum.