Happy Friday!

My son wrapped up school this week, and between the bug bites and tan lines, it definitely feels like summer, even if it’s technically still spring! We’ve already spent plenty of time using our water table and the splash pads, and I’m starting to think through what we want the rest of our summer to look like (please leave your tips for me in the Palmetto Piece)!

Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, whether that looks like time with family, a backyard cookout, or simply slowing down a bit. We’re especially grateful for the meaning behind the holiday and those who have served our country, and hope it’s a weekend that brings both rest and time together for your family.

Also, be sure to stop by and show your love and support for Cafe de Fleur before May 31, when they’ll be closing their doors (under the current ownership, though there is a possibility of new ownership in the future). Our family has enjoyed so many delicious drinks and special moments there over the past three years, and we’re so sad to see them go. You can follow along for updates on their Facebook page.

Lyrical Life Therapy in downtown Summerville provides online and in-office counseling for adults experiencing burnout, stress, anxiety, and work-life challenges. Nicholas Forte, LPC, offers practical, evidence-based therapy to help clients restore balance, strengthen relationships, build resilience, and become more present and fulfilled in everyday life. Located at 133 East 1st North Street in Summerville. Learn more at www.lyricallifetherapy.com.

Memorial Day weekend is the one weekend a year when you don't need to talk yourself into a waterpark. The weather is hot (hopefully the rain will hold off 🤞🏼) , the kids are already amped, and school is either just out or about to be.

Whirlin' Waters Adventure Waterpark at Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston is the real deal — 15+ acres of island-style water attractions about 20 minutes from most of Summerville. The wave pool alone is worth the drive. The Big Kahuna is 27,000 square feet of rolling, crashing waves, and watching kids (and adults) completely lose it in there is one of the more genuinely joyful things you'll see all summer.

For families with little ones, the Big Splash Treehouse is where you'll end up spending a significant portion of your visit. It's a giant interactive play structure with 66 elements (slides, water wheels, jets) and a 1,000-gallon dumping bucket that drops on a cycle. Otter Bay and Lily Pad Lagoon are the gentler, more wading-focused sections for the youngest swimmers. For older kids and adults, the Tubular Twister slides and the Riptide Run six-lane mat racer are the moves.

The park is open this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) from 10am–6pm, and on Memorial Day Monday also 10am–6pm. Admission is $25.99 for general admission, $20.99 for anyone under 48", free for children 2 and under. After 3pm on weekdays (not including holidays), admission drops to $16.99 per person, which is good to know for future weekday visits once summer is in full swing. They also offer season long passes. The park will be open daily starting May 30th-August 9th from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday and 10am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Bring your own food and drinks in a soft cooler because outside food is permitted, and the line for concessions gets long. Sunscreen is also a must. Get there early on a holiday weekend; parking fills up and ride lines can get long.

Whirlin' Waters is located at 8888 University Blvd, North Charleston, inside Wannamaker County Park.

Give your kids a summer to remember with the Charleston RiverDogs Kids Club and Charleston RiverDogs Summer Youth Baseball Camps!

The Kids Club is perfect for baseball lovers ages 12 and under. Members enjoy perks like general admission to all Sunday RiverDogs home games, half-off the Kid Zone on Sundays, exclusive monthly experiences, and a Run the Bases fast pass after games. Kids also get 10% off youth merch on Sundays, a meet-and-greet with players, festive holiday parties, a fun birthday gift from Charlie, and an official Kids Club shirt—all designed to make every family game day extra special. 

Looking to turn that love of baseball into skills and friendships? Summer Youth Baseball Camps are where “every day feels like game day.” Campers train with top coaches, learn fundamentals, compete in daily activities, and build confidence both on and off the field. Each session includes instruction, fun challenges, a camp T-shirt and swag bag, and a certificate of achievement to commemorate a summer of growth and memories.

If you’d like to volunteer as a family, Summerville Parks and Rec is looking for some help to paint over some graffitti on the Sawmill Branch Trail (1900 Bacons Bridge Rd.). Our family loves bike riding on this trail and really appreciates the work the town puts in to keep it in good condition! Sign up to do some good and lend us some helping hands this weekend at SummervilleParks.com!

This Monday, May 25 at 10am, Dorchester County is hosting its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Davis-Bailey Park, 5190 E. Jim Bilton Blvd in St. George. The ceremony honors military personnel who gave their lives in service to this country and includes the Posting of Colors, the National Anthem, a wreath-laying at the Veterans Memorial, and a performance of Taps. The keynote address will be delivered by Mary Rae Yingling, a disabled Vietnam Era veteran with service in the Women of the Air Force. The event is free and open to the community. St. George is about 35–40 minutes from central Summerville, but this is one of those things that's worth the drive if you want to do something meaningful with your kids on Memorial Day morning before the cookout starts.

Closer by, there’s also the annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony from 2:30-3:30pm in Hutchinson Square. This is a remembrance program of reflection, prayer, spoken word, poetry and music, part of our nation's observance of the holiday also featuring a one minute moment of silent reflection at 3pm. The 2026 Tribute Memorial Wall of the Fallen will also be on display.

We tried Chill Bowlz today at Ashley River Park, and it was exactly what we needed after a hot afternoon at the splash pad.

Chill Bowlz is a new truck that just started operating in the area this past March. They specialize in açaí bowls and ice cream bowls loaded with fresh fruit, granola, and all the fun toppings. We got the OG bowl which had an açaí base with granola, strawberries, bananas, nutella drizzle, and cocoa nibs and it was absolutely delightful.

It definitely falls into the “treat” category (most bowls are around $15) but the portions are generous. We ended up sharing one bowl between me and my two sons, and it was more than enough for a refreshing post-play snack. They also offer a build-your-own option for $10 and a kids bowl for $5, which makes it a little easier to customize depending on your crew.

What we loved most was how perfect it felt for a Lowcountry summer day. It was cold, fresh, and just the right thing after being out in the heat. It’s the kind of stop that turns a regular park day into something a little more memorable.

They’ll be back at Ashley River Park most of Sunday and Tuesday (10am-5pm), and you can keep up with where they’ll be around town by checking Street Food Finder or following them on Facebook.

Summertime can be such a special season with slower mornings, longer days, and a break from the usual rush of getting everyone out the door. But for those of us with school-aged kids suddenly home every day, it can also feel like a big transition.

I’m already feeling the balancing act: keeping the kids entertained (while also encouraging them to entertain themselves), getting outside without completely melting in the heat, and finding that sweet spot between activity and rest. With my oldest just four, I still feel like I’m learning as I go, especially now with two active boys and a pregnancy that definitely limits my energy some days.

So I’d love to hear from you.

What are you doing to help your family thrive this summer? What routines or rhythms have worked well for you? How are you keeping your kids engaged without feeling like you have to plan something elaborate every day?

I love the idea of crafts and intentional at-home activities, but I also know I need simple, sustainable ideas for this season.

Drop your tips, routines, and favorite summer go-tos and help this momma out!

Love,

Courtney, Daniel, and the Berk Boys

If you’d like to partner with Palmetto Parents to put your business in front of a highly-engaged audience of thousands of local parents, click here.

We know this might sound cliché, but truly—every time someone signs up as a Palmetto Parents supporter, it makes Daniel and me so grateful. Just $5/month or $40/year shows us that you value what we’re building and that it’s helping your family connect with each other and with the Summerville community. That kind of support is exactly what keeps us going.