Here’s a way to participate in a 5K and raise money for people with autism.

The Ignite the Senses 1st Annual Autism Awareness 5K Bubble Run & Children’s Dash, April 29 2017, 8-10AM

This 5K Bubble Run & Children’s Dash is to raise community awareness and acceptance for those living with autism. The proceeds from this event will provide scholarships and special activities, such as a caring Santa and art and music programs for the special needs population.

The 5K race starts and ends at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park. It is a fast and flat course thru Old Town Bluffton, chipped timed by Palmetto Running Company. Followed by a Children’s DASH event. The award ceremony will take place following DASH.

Packet Pick up Friday April 28 9AM-7PM at Ignite the Senses Gym, 163 Bluffton Road, Suite C-1 and Race day morning from 7-7:30AM at the race start.

Race location: Downtown Bluffton starting and ending at the Oyster Factory.

No race day registration available.

Register here. 

Ignite the Senses, www.ignitethesensesgym.com. Stay connected by liking Ignite the Senses on Facebook here . Ignite the Senses is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser. 

6th Annual Sandbox at the Stables Fundraiser, May 29

Come to the Lawton Stables for a Memorial Day Celebration benefiting The Sandbox Children’s Museum.

Sandbox at the Stables, Mon. May 29 from 10AM-2PM @ Lawton Stables in Sea Pines Resort.

Activities (some free, some require activity tickets) scheduled include:

Craft projects
Inflatable water slides and bounce houses
Pony rides
Facepainting by Morgan’s Mommy Facepainting People
Family games and activities
Live remotes from SC103.1 and 104.9 The Surf
The Cowpoke Caper Parade is back again at High Noon! Come dressed as your favorite cowpoke and bring your cowpoke name – creativity is key! Free bandanas to the first 50 entries!

There will be hot dogs and burgers fresh off the grill, as well as refreshments including sno cones and cotton candy, all available for purchase.

Admission is $5 per person; tickets for concessions and activities are $1 each.  (Plus, $6 per vehicle Sea Pines gate entry fee)
(Members:$5/person and you will receive $5 in concession tickets for each paid admission)

Guests will park at the Trolley Stop inside Sea Pines Gate and ride the free trolley to Lawton Stables. (there is NO Event parking at Lawton Stables)

The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Pope Avenue will be closed on Memorial Day.

The Sandbox Children’s Museum, 18-A Pope Avenue, next to St. Andrew’s by the Sea United Methodist Church, Hilton Head Is., 29928 www.thesandbox.org The Sandbox Children’s Museum is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Horseshoe crab encounters
UGA Marine Education Center, Savannah
Sat. April 29, 8:30AM-12:30PM
Cost: $22

Travel by skiff to a barrier island and witness horseshoe crabs coming inshore to spawn.

Work alongside educators from the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium educators to take the measurements of the horseshoe crabs and observe the migratory shorebirds that rely on the horseshoe crab eggs for food. Ages 10 and up, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration and payment due April 21, 2017

Learn more here.

Register by phone or email by Fri. April 7. Contact Kayla Clark at (912) 598-3345 or kayla270@uga.edu

UGA Marine Education Center And Aquarium, 30 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah 31411

Savannah Stage Company is working to bring their art to more audiences & we are so thankful they are!

Come check out at one of their PUBLIC PERFORMANCES of the play “The Call of The Wild” in April 2017 around Savannah. “The Call of the Wild” performances will be @ The Wagon Shed in Guyton as they present Dinner and A Play @ 7PM April 1 to Tybee Post Theater @ 7:30PM April 22

Savannah Stage Company will also perform “The Call of The Wild” in Forsyth Park for a FREE outdoor Encore in the Park, 6PM April 30.

Learn more here.

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

You-Pick Strawberries @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, Savannah to open April 17 for 2017 season.

Hours are 9AM-1PM Monday-Thursday & Saturdays. (Closed Fridays & Sundays) No picking on Easter Weekend.

Cost: $2.50/lb. Cash & credit cards accepted. No checks.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm continues to offer fresh berry fruits for picking from the fields when in season.

Call 912-921-5460 to learn the status of the field prior to arriving, as poor weather or large crowds may pick the field clean well before the 1PM scheduled closing. The best time to pick is first thing in the morning at 9 am (as it is cooler, too)

Learn more here. 

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Dempsey Farms U-Pick, St. Helena Is., SC

Dempsey Farms –  a family owned operation on St. Helena Island, SC,  11 miles east of Beaufort – has opened for the Spring 2017 U-pick strawberry season on a limited schedule. Please call for hours & to confirm the u-pick fields are open. When the fields get picked out, the u-pick fields close so berries can ripen.
(843) 838-3656
Payments: Cash or checks
1576 Sea Island Parkway
Saint Helena Island, SC 29920

Learn more here. 

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Ottawa Farms U-Pick, Bloomingdale, Ga.

U-pick strawberry fields are open for the Spring 2017 season.

Hours: 9AM-4:30PM Tues-Sat.; 1-5PM Sun.
702 Bloomingdale Road
Bloomingdale, Ga 31302
Call ahead to confirm fields are open for picking: 912-748-3035

Learn more here.

Touch-A-Truck at Tanger Outlets, Bluffton SC
Sat. April 1, 2017 • 11AM

Calling kids of all ages! Come to Touch-A-Truck free event Saturday, April 1, 11AM – 2PM @ the Tanger Outlets Hilton Head 1 location. Come climb, honk and explore a variety of trucks and vehicles from Bluffton Township Fire Department, the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Palmetto Electric, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and many more.

FREE ENTRY. Admission is free. Please bring a school supply donation in support of Project Connect, a community-wide program created by the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.  Project Connect is requesting basic school supplies- paper, pencils, crayons, folders, composition books along with special items like ITunes Gift Cards (for Smart Boards that operate off apps), Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer.

Tanger Outlets Hilton Head 1
1252 Fording Island Road
Bluffton, SC, 29910
Admission Details: FREE

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

You’re invited to Easter 4 Kids @ Risen Savior Christian Academy in Pooler for a morning of connecting, learning, and fun centered on the comforting message of Jesus’ resurrection. Children age 3 through age 10 (all participants must be potty-trained) are welcome to Easter 4 Kids which includes the Good Friday and Easter story. Teachers and helpers are excited to share the love of Jesus with your child!

Sat. April 8 2017 9:30am-12:30pm
The Story of Easter
Crafts
Music/Songs
Relay Games/Activites
Crafts
Drop-Off and Pick-Up: For the safety of all the children, please accompany your child into the church entryway. Children may be dropped off in the church entryway as early as 9AM. All parents are graciously asked to join in for devotion and hear the children sing an Easter song at 12PM. All children may be picked up from their classroom at 12:30PM and accompanied to your vehicle. Thank you for your assistance in keeping children safe.

To register for Easter 4 Kids, click on the link below. Please register by Mon. April 3. For more information please call 912.925.9431.

Register your child for E4K here. Registration closes on Mon. April 3.

UPDATE: The winner is Ann B.

Kindermusik with 88 Keys Piano in Savannah is offering an entire month of free classes in April (including home materials) for one child between the ages of 0-7!

To enter your name to win, visit kindermusikwith88keys.com before March 31 and enter the drawing- it’s as simple as that!

Kindermusik…a good beginning never ends. 912-988-KEYS.

Kindermusik Savannah, kindermusikwith88keys.com,  email music@kindermusikwith88keys.com or info@kindermusikwith88keys.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397) Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah offers a summer camp mix & match deal where parents can buy a week of summer camp and break it up throughout the summer.

We love it! Perfect for those who are looking for a few days of camp here and there. The mix & match option allows you to spread a week of camp throughout the summer.

This applies to all Scribble camps in Savannah

25% Early Bird Discount: A week of camp is $139 if you register by May 1 (regular price is $185)

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah offers art summer camps 2017 for little & big kids.

Art camp for ages 4-7 is Mon-Fri. 10AM-1PM. Weekly sessions run May 22-Aug. 18 2017.

Art Camp for ages 8+ is Mon-Fri. 3-5PM. Weekly sessions run June 5-Aug. 4 2017.

Dates for older kids camps: June 5-9 Story Book Art; June 19-23 Sewing; July 3-July 7 Painting & Mixed Media; July 17-21 Printmaking; July 31-Aug. 4 Painting & Mixed Media.

Learn more here. 

To learn more about Scribble’s summer camps, art classes & children’s birthdays in Savannah, click here or call 912-713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com

Savannah location: 212 E 37th St, Savannah, 31401

For more information, contact artist Carrie Christian at (912) 713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com  . Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

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Searching for Savannah-Lowcountry Summer Camps 2017? Visit our camps guide here.

Sunday Supper in the Strawberry Patch, Sun. April 30, 4-7PM

The Friends of the Coastal Gardens’ annual Sunday Supper Fundraiser @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah features a catered meal at 5PM, a delicious family style dinner at the lakeside pavilion near the strawberry field.

Arrive at 4 pm if you would like to see the last hour of the Savannah Orchid Show at the Andrews Visitor Center or to peruse the artifacts at the Bamboo Museum. There will be some silent auction items, beginning at 4:30PM.

Reservations required by Friday, April 21. Cost is $35/person, $15/child (ages 6 to 12). There is no charge for children age 5 and younger.

To make your reservations or for any inquiries, contact Kahlitah at (912) 652-7980.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (Formerly The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens), 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, 31419. Please call 912-921-5460 for information, http://bamboo.caes.uga.edu/, On Facebook here

The Humane Society for Greater Savannah will host its 17th annual Doggie Carnival on Sunday, May 7 2017, noon to 4PM at Forsyth Park.

Admission to the carnival is free but there are fees for some activities. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society for Greater Savannah.

For more information, click here. 

St. Andrew’s School is Savannah is hosting a student art reception on Friday, March 24 from 6:30 until 8PM at Oglethorpe Gallery, 406 East Oglethorpe Ave.

The show features six senior International Baccalaureate (IB) visual art students.

The IB visual arts curriculum encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. As they work on their portfolios, these students are asked to explore the arts from a local, regional, national and international perspective. The final piece of the IB art course is to select and present works for exhibition, explaining the various ways the works are connected.

St. Andrew’s is an independent International Baccalaureate World School in Savannah, Ga. For more information on the Pre-K 3 through Grade 12 school, visit www.saintschool.com or call 912.897.4941.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Rd, Savannah, 31410. 912.897.4941, www.saintschool.com , email admission@saintschool.com  On Facebook here.   On Twitter here. St. Andrew’s is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

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Save the date: Savannah Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 15 2017
11AM – 4PM
Forsyth Park, Savannah
www.earthdaysavannah.org
Earth Day Festival is a celebration of being environmentally responsible. It is one of the largest educational Earth Day Festival in Georgia. It promotes environmental stewardship, sustainable local economy, conservation and health wellness.

FREE & open to the public.

The Forsyth Farmer’s Market will have it’s regular set up and many of the farmers will stay throughout the festival. Food – Beer – Live Entertainment – Kids Activities and More!

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

We can’t wait until Summer 2017 and are excited to post our first of many Savannah summer camps.

Massie Heritage Center in Savannah will offer these unique summer camps.

Art through the Ages Day Camp
Rising K through 3rd grade
Session I: June 5th – June 9th, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Session II: June 26th through June 30th, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Students will learn about arts and crafts from the Creek and Cherokee period through Colonial and Victorian times up to the modern era. Campers will create their own artwork and explore Savannah’s museums including the Jepson Center for the Arts and SCAD Art Museum. The camp will culminate in a gallery show featuring their own “Artwork through the Ages.”

Digging History Day Camp
Rising 3rd through 6th grade students
Session I: July 10 through July 14, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Session II: July 24 through July 28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Be an archaeologist at summer camp! Take part in a “simulated excavation” and learn the entire process of digging up, gridding out to scale, labeling and identifying artifacts. You will also make special crafts and discover many of the archaeological treasures of the Georgia Coast by visiting Battlefield Park, Wormsloe State Historic Site, Colonial Park Cemetery, Fort Frederica, Skidaway Island and more.

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Cost

For $135 per camper, you will be provided all supplies, admissions to historical sites and museums, transportation and snacks for the entire week. Extended care is available for the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for an additional $25 per week.

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About Massie Heritage Center

Massie Heritage Center: Built in 1856 on beautiful Calhoun Square, Massie School is the oldest public school in Georgia. Closing as a traditional school in 1974, but remaining part of the Savannah-Chatham Public School System, Massie reopened as a Heritage Center in 1978 providing curriculum-based educational programs for school children K-12. Massie also houses several hands-on exhibits showcasing the history and architecture of Savannah.

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Registration

For details and registration, visit www.massieheritagecenter.com, email Rachel.Warren@sccpss.com, or call  (912) 395-5070

Massie Heritage Center is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

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TO ADVERTISE A SUMMER CAMP ON SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM, EMAIL ANNE@SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM

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Searching for Savannah-Lowcountry Summer Camps 2017? Visit our camps guide here.

YMCA of Coastal Georgia summer camp programs offer a fun and unique experience that gives children and teens the opportunity to have their best summer ever, by meeting new friends, exploring nature, discovering new interests, being physically active and creating memories.

Day Camp 2017, like many Y programs, is about learning skills, developing character and making friends.

Day Camps at the YMCA run on a weekly basis, Monday through Friday, for children ages 5-13 years. You can pick and choose which weeks you would like to attend; you can come just one week or the whole summer! Camp is from 9AM -4PM daily, with drop off starting at 7AM and pick up ending at 6PM

Looking for something different this summer? Then register for one of YMCA Specialty Summer Camps such as Surfing, Lego, Culinary or Active Arcade camps.

Learn more here. 

YMCA of Coastal Georgia is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

All this warm Spring weather has us looking forward to the annual SCAD Sand Arts Festival.

SCAD Sand Arts Festival
Fri. May 12 2017
Tybee Island, GA
South Beach by Tybee pier (note the new location that’s different from previous years)

See SCAD students, alumni, faculty & staff create elaborate sand creations on Tybee’s beach. Participants vie for awards and prizes, including the coveted top prize for SCAD Spirit.

See the 2016 winners here.

The public is invited to enjoy SCAD Sand Arts Festival, but the competition is limited to the SCAD community.

31st ANNUAL BEACH BUM PARADE

May 19, 2017 6:30-8:30PM
Come prepared to be soaked at the 31st Annual Tybee Beach Bum Parade! This classic Tybee event is a favorite for the whole family. Equip yourself with waterguns and other water soaking paraphernalia to douse the passing by parade floats.

See the safety notice & parade route here. 

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

Disney is taking Frozen out of the Disney Vault for ONE NIGHT ONLY,

Support a great cause and see a favorite Disney Movie @ the Lucas Theatre in downtown Savannah. All donations benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The 2013 Disney hit Frozen will be shown @ Lucas Theatre in Savannah on Sat. April 29 2017, 5PM.

The movie is presented by Alison Harris, nominated for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2017 Woman of the Year. Harris is joining LLS on their mission to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. Her goal is to raise $100,000 in 10 weeks to help cure blood cancers. She’s dedicating her campaign in memory of her Grandmother, Marion Quinn, who died of Leukemia March 22, 1975, just 2 weeks before Harris’ parent’s wedding.

This movie is being shown by donation only for Alison Harris’ LLS Woman of the Year campaign.

Tickets are available via donation here.

Rated PG. 1 hour 49 minutes.

Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St. Savannah, 31401

Join the Haberhsham YMCA for a night of family-friendly competition on the court @ Savannah Country Day School.

The YMCA All-stars, featuring players from all over Savannah including the Y’s CEO, Joel Smoker, will take on the Harlem Legends in a game of hoops.

DATE: Fri. March 24 2017
TIME: Doors open at 6PM
Show starts 7PM
LOCATION: Savannah Country Day School
824 Stillwater Dr
Savannah, GA 31419
COST: $12.50 in advance, $10 (ages 8 & younger); $15 at the door

Tickets are available at the Habersham YMCA (6400 Habersham Street, Savannah, GA 31405) or call 912.354.6223 for more information.

YMCA of Coastal Georgia is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Join your favorite food trucks AND local crafters, artists and yard salers for this incredible Spring market @ Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah in Savannah, Sat. April 22, 9AM-3PM.

Nosh on great food while you shop vendors, walk the trails or enjoy a ready made picnic in the park.

Want to be a vendor? Skidaway is providing 8 foot tables with 2 chairs for a $25 concession fee. Email anne.robinson@dnr.ga.gov for more information.

Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Causeway
Savannah 31411
912-598-2300

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and Georgia Southern University STEM Institute present the 2017 MATE ROV competition, Port Cities of the Future on Saturday, April 22 at 9AM in Savannah.

Student teams will compete for overall highest points in a mission to maintain operations supporting the commerce, entertainment, health and safety of a thriving port.

The competition provides students an opportunity to utilize STEM concepts to solve real-world challenges, preparing students for secondary education and careers, and offers educators training and expertise in applied technologies.

Competition for all classes will take place on:
Sat. April 22, 2017
Chatham County Aquatic Center
7240 Sallie Mood Drive
Savannah, GA 31406
8AM – 4PM

Registration deadline: Registration closed on April 15. All team members and coaches must be registered

For more information, visit http://graysreef.marinetech2.org

Kindermusik with 88 Keys Piano in Savannah continues to support “Music in our Schools” month by encouraging parents that it’s never too early to begin to expose your baby to music.

Kindermusik Savannah offers classes for newborn to 7 year olds on weekdays, weekends, weekly and monthly. Your first trial class is free!

Come and experience the magic of the Kindermusik experience…where music and learning play

Also, don’t forget Kindermusik’s final monthly playdate for March is coming up Sat. March 25 at 10AM. The  theme is “Rig a Jig Jig: Music of Ireland!”.  Class is open to ages 0-7 and their caregivers. Each participant will receive an instrument, 10 Kindermusik songs, and a $10 coupon to our weekly classes.

Cost is $15 per child (siblings pay only $5).  Enroll online today – spaces are limited.

Email kindermusikwith88keys.com or call 912.988.KEYS

Kindermusik…a good beginning never ends. 912-988-KEYS.

Kindermusik Savannah, kindermusikwith88keys.com,  email music@kindermusikwith88keys.com or info@kindermusikwith88keys.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397) Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Save the date for the 2017 A-Town Get Down Music & Art Festival, Saturday, March 25, 2017 featuring Cracker, Bobby Rush, Col. Bruce Hampton, AJ Ghent & More

Savannah’s 7th Annual A-Town Get Down will take place March 25, noon-12AM at its new location on Indian Street. The area, defined by Indian Street (between Fahm Street and the Talmadge Bridge) is well known as both a creative hub and emerging business community.

The family-friendly event is free from noon to 5PM and ticketed from 5PM to midnight.

This year’s all-day festival will feature over 25 live bands and visual artists each representing diverse music genres and artistic styles. Performers include Cracker, Bobby Rush, Col. Bruce Hampton, Snarky Puppy Horns, Low Country Voices, Old Salt Union, Walter Parks, Savannah Children’s Choir, AJ Ghent, Marques & The Marvelous Miracles, Waits & Co, Complicated Animals, Annalise Curtin, The Billy Jonas Band (Especially Family Oriented), and the Live Art of Jose Ray, Will Penny, SCAD Ceramics, Digital Art, Loop It Up Savannah and much more.

Thanks to the festival’s new location, guests can expect larger stages and more live music and live art installations than ever before over the 12-hour period. A-Town is also partnering with Loop It Up Savannah again this year to connect students from Title I school districts to free access to interactive art and music projects.

The festival was created in honor of art student and musician, Alex “A-Town” Townsend, who passed away in 2010. The all-day festival’s mission is to increase access to music and art to citizens of the region. From the hours of 12pm – 5pm, the festival is free and open to everyone for family-friendly art and music events. From 5pm – midnight, the festival becomes a ticketed event for the headliner performers and art events.

Tickets/cost
12pm – 5pm:
FREE for all ages
5PM – midnight:
$35/General Admission
$25/Student or Military (with valid ID)
$95/VIP (Includes Friday night event with special appearances, meet and greet with performers, complimentary VIP tent at festival, VIP seating and swag bag)

Tickets are available for purchase at A-TownGetDown.com.

7th Annual A-Town Get Down Music & Art Festival is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The community is invited to participate in the Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School Color-A-Thon Event in Pooler on Sat. April 1 2017.

This fun, healthy event is a fundraiser in which students collect donations, earn rewards and then participate in a 3K fun run as a culminating event. The students, their friends and family and other supporters can walk, run, skip, or dance through a course where they all will get blasted by color dust!

Coastal Empire Montessori, a Pre-K through 5th Grade charter school, serves students from all over Chatham County.

Register

Registration fee is $30 and includes a T-shirt and a color dye pack. (The color dust is safe, non-toxic and completely washable.) To register, click here. Online registration must be completed by March 22, 2017. There will also be on-site registration on the day of the event, however t-shirts will not be available onsite and will be shipped afterward.

The Coastal Empire Montessori Color-a-Thon
April 1, 2017, at 10AM (with day-of registration opening at 9AM)
@ Tom Triplett Community Park in Pooler, GA.
To donate or register, click here.

About Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School

Come see all the Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School has to offer.

Attend an open house or guided tour of this PreK4-5th grade public charter school on Wed. March 29, 6PM.

Guided tours are every Wednesday at 10AM. Advance registration required by calling 912.395.4070.

Applications for the 2017-18 school year are being accepted now. Deadline to apply: April 7, 2017 at midnight. 

The lottery will be Tues. April 11, 2017 @ 6:30PM

Learn more about the school application process here.

Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School
301 Buckhalter Road
Savannah, GA 31405

Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School, cemco.org,  (912) 395-4070, cemcssav@gmail.com  On Facebook here. Coastal Empire Montessori is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser