Who We Are

ExperienceCharleston is a non-profit (501(c) 3) organization that has developed a 21st century innovative visual educational program for educating students in grades K-12.

Video library with curated resources
Dynamic and engaging educational experiences
Enhances 21st Century Thinking and Learning Skills:

Critical Thinking, Communication, Information & Media Literacy, Collaboration, Leadership, and Productivity

Guided by education experts

Listen to Lacy Bryant, Educator with Charleston County School Systems, and Gus Smythe, Director and Producer discuss ExperienceCharleston.

How We Do This

ExperienceCharleston has developed an innovative resource for teaching and learning and we are sharing resources with all students and teachers in the Tri-County area in collaboration with Charleston County School District. Our video library and materials are available to all students in grades K-12 and are aligned with the South Carolina State standards in English and History as well as research, communication, professionalism, and writing standards.

Historic locations and beautiful video footage
Structured video prompt and storyboard for each location
Encourage students to move beyond the structured video and use supplemental materials to research and present findings on a wide variety of topics
Videos can be used in almost any classroom, regardless of grade or subject area

Why Experience Charleston

ExperienceCharleston enhances traditional classroom instruction making history and learning a more enriching and sustainable experience overall. We aim to enhance learning opportunities for students by providing them a unique way to demonstrate their mastery of a wide variety of standards-aligned topics. Our goal is to support the growth and development of local students and assist in preparing them for college and/or careers.

Our team was selected carefully for their expertise
We celebrate Charleston’s rich history
Our work enhances traditional classroom learning
Unique projects that supports both SC Standards for Teaching & Learning as well as 21st Century skills
Giving students opportunities to engage to real-world 21st century skills which will enhance Charleston’s future citizens

Watch this example of ExperienceCharleston's Hampton Park video and learn about its history and notable historical figures who contributed to it.

Watch this example of a 3rd grader who wrote and narrated this ExperienceCharleston video on the Dock Street Theatre.

Our History

ExperienceCharleston was incorporated in 2019 with the initial purpose of introducing students to historical sights in Charleston. Our founders put together a team of professionals to create an interactive curriculum to teach students about Charleston history. Selected classes met at the Market in downtown Charleston. There, students, chaperones and teachers joined ExperienceCharleston for a Horse Carriage Tour introducing a visual and interpreted experience of Historic Charleston. The day was further highlighted with a walk through the market, a class picture on the steps of The Custom House, and the experience of White Table Dining with an introduction to proper dining etiquette. The day ended when the entire party was escorted to a Charleston rooftop where they met docents to explore even further the treasures of Charleston's history and architecture from a bird’s-eye view.

ExperienceCharleston took a pause during COVID to reflect on how we might be able to use our collective skills and expertise to reach even more students. The ExperienceCharleston team was able to reimagine its approach and, through flexibility and adaptability, was able to pivot and deliver an even more effective and tailored methodology for teaching students in a sustainable manner. Over the last 6 years the program has evolved from introducing 200 students annually to visual and experiential historical tours to a program that has the ability to leverage technology to reach thousands of students. We are demonstrating that we have continuity in terms of our team members and their ability to accommodate the changing needs of teachers and students. Importantly, we are able to reach many more students because ExperienceCharleston is not hindered by physical/recurring costs for services in the same way as school districts are. In addition, our digital library is intended to be a sustainable resource for all students in our area.

About Us

Dr. Christopher C. Swain, ExperienceCharleston Founder, Biology Physician, businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist.

After graduating from The Citadel, Chris embarked on a medical education and attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. He completed his OB/GYN residency training at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. He demonstrated a lifelong passion and commitment to improving women’s healthcare and safety including solo practice, group practice, public health, medical education and hospitalist services guiding the development and growth of OB Hospitalist Group from 2006-2017.

In addition to providing the resources to establish the Swain School of Nursing and the Swain School of Science and Mathematics at The Citadel, the Swain Family have also provided funds for revitalizing The Citadel Boating Center. In addition to the return of water sports to The Citadel campus, the Swain Boating Center will serve as an access point for biology and ecology-related field trips while enhancing the academic experience of biology professors and students whose scholarship and research contributes to natural resources conservation. Chris and his wife Debbie have also provided a merit-based scholarship for students majoring in biology and chemistry.

Chris also serves on and recently completed his term as chair of The Citadel Foundation Board of Directors, where he oversaw some of the most successful fundraising years in the college’s history. In May of 2024, in recognition of his exceptional professional accomplishments and service to his alma mater, The Citadel Board of Visitors presented Chris with an honorary Doctor of Science degree.

Rick McGeorge, Founder and Executive Director, ExperienceCharleston

Rick has served and provided leadership to professional legal firms, Governments, Fortune 100 companies, start-ups and foreign entities on an array of marketing, business development and management needs globally. Rick’s vocational life includes experience in the medical supply industry, data centers, energy, government, economic development, software, and liaison work with legislatures.

Rick’s non-profit experience includes the following: President, The Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie Historic Trust; Advisor, Friends of Charleston’s National Parks; Executive Director, Experience Charleston.org.; Board of Managers, South Carolina Historic Society; Capital Class Campaign Board, The Citadel Foundation; Class Chair, Citadel Boathouse Pavilion Campaign, The Citadel Foundation; Life Member, King William County Historic Society; Member, Kappa Alpha Order.

Lacy Bryant, Educational Advisor, ExperienceCharleston

Lacy Bryant is a Charleston native, educator, instructional specialist, curriculum designer, and district leader. She holds a Masters Degree in Education and is a Google Certified Educator, an Apple Certified Educator, has her Gifted & Talented Educator Endorsement, as well as many other certifications in Educational Technologies.

She is passionate about innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the 21st century while focusing on the rigor and critical thinking skills found in the SC Standards for teaching and learning. She taught math and history before becoming an Innovation Specialist for the Department of Innovation & Learning in CCSD, and then became an Instructional Specialist for CCSD Social Studies in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction.

Now, she serves as the Canvas Learning Management Software Administrator with Charleston County School District in Charleston, South Carolina. For the past 20+ years she has supported, uplifted, celebrated, and helped grow hundreds of amazing highly-qualified teachers and college-and-career-ready students.

Gus Smythe, Host, Director, Producer, ExperienceCharleston’s video library development and production

Gus has worked in and out of the film, television and theater industry for 35 years. His experience while primarily directing, also includes producing, writing and on camera talent. He founded Gimlet Eye Productions in 1996 while living in New York City and Los Angeles. Gimlet Eye manages everything from development and funding through production and distribution. Gus has written several screenplays; directed dozens of plays; directed film; performed in both theater and film productions. After moving to Charleston, SC in 2001, Gimlet Eye Productions began producing and hosting culinary and historical tours about Charleston, SC. He is the director and host of the outdoor show Traditional Wild America. A true native son of the Carolina Lowcountry Gus has been an ardent supporter of land conservation and the outdoor sporting life since his earliest youth. He brings his passions to ExperienceCharleston as both on-camera talent and director. Gus currently lives in Charleston with his wife Eleanor and their two children Austin and Isabelle.