Forge Your Own Tomahawk: A Hands-On Way to Celebrate America's 250th in Charleston

Looking for a Fourth of July activity in Charleston that goes beyond fireworks and a bar crawl? This summer, Charleston Adventure Forest in Awendaw is offering hands-on, Revolutionary-era blacksmithing classes to celebrate America's 250th birthday. You can forge your own tomahawk every Friday and Saturday, or hand-dip candles and forge a matching candle holder on the first and third Sunday of each month, all running through September. No experience is required, every class is beginner- and family-friendly, and you leave with a handcrafted souvenir you made yourself. Here's the full schedule, who it's for, and how to book.

What is the America's 250th blacksmithing experience?

It's a hands-on class where you become the blacksmith. Using fire, hammer, and anvil, you learn a historic trade and forge your own metal keepsake to take home, guided every step of the way by an experienced instructor trained at the American College of the Building Arts.

This is more than a demonstration. It's your chance to participate in a craft that helped build early America, drawing on the same Lowcountry ironwork heritage made famous by Charleston artisans like Phillip Simmons. You don't need any experience, just curiosity and a willingness to try. The result is a challenge that feels achievable, rewarding, and genuinely unforgettable.

There are two ways to celebrate this summer: forge your own tomahawk, or join the Forge & Flame candle-making and candle holder workshop. New to the craft and want the background first? Read our guide on what blacksmithing is and where to learn it in Charleston.

What you'll do:

• Forge your own tomahawk from start to finish
• Learn traditional blacksmithing techniques
• Take home your finished creation
• Celebrate America's 250th anniversary

Schedule (June 20 to September 26, 2026):

Family-friendly and beginner-friendly. No experience necessary. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early.

Forge & Flame: Create Your Own Candle Holder & Candle | 1st & 3rd Sundays

Want to learn two historic colonial crafts in one experience? In our Forge & Flame workshop, you'll Make your own beeswax candles and forge a custom metal candle holder to take home, just as early Americans once did. Working with fire, steel, and traditional blacksmithing techniques, you'll create two unique handcrafted keepsakes while experiencing history firsthand.

What you'll do:

• Hand-make your own candlestick
• Forge your own metal candle holder
• Take home two handcrafted souvenirs
• Learn traditional colonial-era skills
• Celebrate America's 250th anniversary

Schedule (June 21 to September 20, 2026):

Perfect for families, kids, teens, and adults alike. No experience is necessary, and our instructors will guide you every step of the way.

Why celebrate the Fourth of July in Charleston this way?

There's no better place to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary than historic Charleston, South Carolina, a city woven into the story of America's founding. And in 2026, the Fourth of July isn't just another holiday. It's the 250th birthday of the United States, which makes this the year to celebrate like never before.

While downtown fills with parades, fireworks, and the usual crowds, Charleston Adventure Forest offers something most visitors never know exists: the chance to step into the shoes of an early American craftsman and experience history firsthand. Just 25 minutes from downtown Charleston in the Lowcountry forest of Awendaw, The Forge is where families, history enthusiasts, homeschool groups, scouts, and first-time adventurers come together to create memories, and keepsakes, that last a lifetime.

Who are these classes for?

These special 250th classes are perfect for:

• Families looking for a unique Fourth of July activity
• Visitors and tourists building a Charleston itinerary
• Homeschool groups wanting an interactive history lesson lesson
• History enthusiasts who want to do more than read about the founding era
• Scouts and youth groups building skills and confidence
• Anyone searching for unique things to do in Charleston, SC this summer

Make it a full day of adventure

The Forge is just one part of Charleston Adventure Forest. Pair your blacksmithing class with the rest of the park to turn the Fourth of July weekend into a full day of Lowcountry adventure:

• Zip Line Canopy Tour: 7 lines, 3 swinging bridges, and a 750-foot grand finale through the Awendaw forest (the only forest canopy zipline in the Charleston area)
• 65-Foot Climbing Wall: the tallest in the region
• Kids Zip Koala Course: built for ages 5 to 12
• Animal Encounters: feed alpacas, meet miniature horses, goats, pigs, and more

It's the perfect way to celebrate America's 250th with the people you love,just a short drive away from the busy downtown crowds.

Frequently asked questions

When are the Fourth of July blacksmithing classes held?

The tomahawk class runs every Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM and every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, June 20 through September 26, 2026. The Forge & Flame candle holder and candle-making workshop runs the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 2:00 to 6:30 PM, June 21 through September 20, 2026.

Do I need blacksmithing experience to join?

No. Both classes are designed for complete beginners, and an experienced instructor guides you through every step.

Are these classes family-friendly?

Yes. They're built for families, kids, teens, and adults. Blacksmithing is recommended for ages 12 and up; for guests under 18, a parent or legal guardian must submit a waiver before participating.

What should I wear?

Close-toed shoes and cotton clothing are required. No flip-flops, sandals, or polyester, and long pants must fully Long pants are recommended.

What do I get to keep?

You take home everything you make: a forged tomahawk from the tomahawk class, or both a Hand-made candle and a forged metal candle holder from the Forge & Flame workshop.

Where is Charleston Adventure Forest located?

1152 Guerins Bridge Rd, Awendaw, SC 29429, about 25 minutes from downtown Charleston and convenient to Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, North Charleston, and Isle of Palms.

Forge your own piece of history this Fourth of July

Take home a handcrafted souvenir. Celebrate America's 250th like never before. Book an adventure, create a memory.

Space is limited and these special classes are only offered while we celebrate America's 250th, so reserve your spot today.

📞 Call for class schedules, availability, and group bookings: 843-928-3947

🌐 Book online: charlestonadventureforest.com

📍 1152 Guerins Bridge Rd, Awendaw, SC 29429

Summer Hours: Mon to Sat 8:30 AM to 5 PM | Sun 12:30 PM to 5 PM

Last updated: June 9, 2026