Plants of the Smokies – FULL

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Delve into the incredible diversity of plants found in the southern Appalachians! In this weekend-long course, we’ll make it easy to learn botanical terms, plant taxonomy, and plant identification.

$449

All Things Tremont Open House

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Join us on Friday, June 2, at 10am-4pm for the All Things Tremont Open House, where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of Tremont and its surroundings. Whether you're already a Tremont enthusiast or just curious, this event is for you!

Wilderness Adventure Trek I

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

During this true backcountry wilderness experience, campers will sleep in the woods, swim in a mountain stream, kick back around the campfire, and make new friends to last a lifetime.

$803

Discovery Camp I – Full

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Discovery Camp is where kids go to be kids - getting curious, asking questions, exploring new places, and feeling free - all while living inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and gaining a deeper appreciation for nature.

$722

Girls in Science Camp – Full

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

We’re taking science out of the classroom and into the great outdoors! Join us in an adventure to explore the Smokies, from the valleys of Cades Cove to the tallest mountains of the national park.

Price Varies

Naturalist Week: Summer Camp for Adults

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Learn from nature, deepen your connection to the natural world, and develop your outdoor skills at Naturalist Week, a one-of-a-kind summer camp for adults.

$899

John Thurman Smoky Mountain Trout Adventure Camp

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

The John Thurman Smoky Mountain Trout Adventure Camp promotes an appreciation of cold-water conservation by teaching campers the sport of fly fishing in mountain streams.

$550

Naturalist Week – From Wherever You Are!

Nature isn’t a place you go to – it’s all around us, all the time! At Tremont, we aim to give learners of all ages the tools and understanding needed to appreciate nature in their own neighborhoods. This June 19-24, you’re invited to take part in Naturalist Week, a virtual event designed to help more people connect with nature, wherever they are!

Free

The Big Day (From Wherever You Are!)

A twist on a birding “big day,” today we’ll document as many species as we can find (not just birds!) Throughout the day, explore your own park or neighborhood to see how many living things you can find - that includes plants, mammals, fungi, insects, birds, lichens, and more!

Free

Pints for a Purpose at Little River Trading Company

Little River Trading Company 2408 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN, United States

Sip on your favorite brew while learning about Tremont's programs and initiatives. Engage in meaningful conversations with fellow nature enthusiasts, conservationists, and supporters of environmental education.

Take a Hike with Tremont!

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Walker Valley is home to miles of trails, beautiful cascades and waterfalls, and amazing biodiversity. On Friday, June 23, you’re invited to hike with Tremont staff as part of Naturalist Week. Take a guided hike to Spruce Flats Falls, as we point out some of our favorite trail features and highlights of the surrounding ecosystem.

Free

Discovery Camp II – Full

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Discovery Camp is where kids go to be kids - getting curious, asking questions, exploring new places, and feeling free - all while living inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and gaining a deeper appreciation for nature.

$722

Wilderness Adventure Trek II

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

During this true backcountry wilderness experience, campers will sleep in the woods, swim in a mountain stream, kick back around the campfire, and make new friends to last a lifetime.

$803

Backcountry Ecological Expedition

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Explore the wild side of the Smokies during an adventure like no other. During this 6-day, 5-night canoe expedition, you’ll camp in the woods, paddle to remote locations, and document the biodiversity of the Smokies.

$845

Firefly Camp

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Bond with your child while playing games that build confidence and awaken the senses during this one-of-a-kind family camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

PRICE VARIES

Reptiles and Amphibians – Full

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Discover the secret lives of reptile and amphibian species in the southern Appalachian mountains. Immerse yourself in a weekend of exploration and learning about these fascinating, secretive, and often feared and misunderstood creatures.

$449

Smoky Mountain Family Camp

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Spend your family vacation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and experience the magic of the mountains as you hike ridges, study wildlife, explore secret places, and take afternoon dips in the Middle Prong.

Price Varies

Great Smokies Experience

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Go on breathtaking hikes, take a canoe trip to the Tellico Reservoir, take scientific species surveys, explore the national park at night, climb up Mt. LeConte and so much more - all while earning college credit!

$1,999

Teen High Adventure

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Venture into the heart of the Great Smoky Mountain backcountry, spending 10 days and 9 nights among a community of teenage outdoor enthusiasts like yourself! Grow your understanding of outdoor living ethics, and learn firsthand about the animals and plants that call these mountains home. 

$1,552

Aquatic Natural History

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Where does the river begin and end? It sounds simple, but this course will explore the unique ecology of aquatic systems in the southern Appalachian mountains, particularly as it relates to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

$449

Teacher Escape Weekend I

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Kick off the new school year with a refreshing and reinvigorating trip to the Smokies - designed with teachers in mind! This weekend is an opportunity to meet other teachers, share ideas for engaging students, and learn from Tremont’s vast experience leading outdoor exploration.

$80

Tremont Celebration at Marblegate

Celebrate Tremont at Marblegate Farm Enjoy a beautiful evening of celebration at Marblegate Farm in Friendsville, TN in support of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. This event will be filled with fantastic food and drink, fun music and activities, an exclusive look at our ongoing second campus plans, and plenty of wonderful conversations as […]

Teacher Escape Weekend II

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Kick off the new school year with a refreshing and reinvigorating trip to the Smokies - designed with teachers in mind! This weekend is an opportunity to meet other teachers, share ideas for engaging students, and learn from Tremont’s vast experience leading outdoor exploration.

$80

Schoolyard Network Virtual Meeting: Discovery Swap

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Tap into a network of teachers and local resource providers during friendly, informal monthly professional development and sharing sessions.

Free

Teacher Escape Weekend III – Full

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Kick off the new school year with a refreshing and reinvigorating trip to the Smokies - designed with teachers in mind! This weekend is an opportunity to meet other teachers, share ideas for engaging students, and learn from Tremont’s vast experience leading outdoor exploration.

$80

Take a Hike with Tremont

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Spruce Flats Falls Bandana - Click to Enlarge Walker Valley is home to miles of trails, beautiful cascades and waterfalls, and amazing biodiversity. On Friday, September 29, you're invited to the Tremont area to explore and celebrate our trails. Stop by the Tremont Visitor’s Center at 9275 Tremont Road for helpful information about the valley, […]

Free

Naturalist Skills

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

The natural world is teeming with mystery, beauty, and wonder, often only experienced only through fleeting glimpses. Become a better observer of natural phenomena, learn how to provoke your curiosity and ask meaningful questions, and discover new ways to document your outdoor experiences so you can learn and grow as a naturalist.

$449

Southern Appalachian Ecology – Full

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Gain a deeper understanding of the mountains, including the flora and fauna that call this place home – skills that can also be applied to your surroundings in any natural environment.  

$449

Women’s Fall Backpack – FULL

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

What better way is there to enjoy early fall than with a group of adventurous women on the trail and around the campfire? Climb mountains, ford streams, and recharge your batteries while marveling at the natural wonders around you.

$524

Autumn Glory in the Smokies with the Sierra Club

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Hike the Great Smoky Mountains with fellow outdoor enthusiasts with the Sierra Club National Outings Program.

$1,375

Schoolyard Network Virtual Meeting: Leaf Levels and Phenology

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Tap into a network of teachers and local resource providers during friendly, informal monthly professional development and sharing sessions.

Free

Tremont Writers Conference – FULL

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Join renowned authors and professional park educators for a writers conference like no other set on a lush, secluded campus nestled within America’s most-visited national park. Applications are due by April 30.

Writing the Appalachians

Clayton Center for the Arts 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN, United States

You’re invited to an extraordinary evening of literary exploration with celebrated authors Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Janet McCue, Frank X Walker, and Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers. These talented writers, each known for their diverse and captivating works exploring different aspects of Appalachia, will share stories and insights from their own experiences capturing the region’s beauty, culture, and challenges.

$20

Homecoming

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

You're Invited to Tremont Institute's 2023 Homecoming Celebration Sunday, October 29, 5-8pm Thanks to your tremendous support, this event is SOLD OUT. Please reach out to Erin R. with any questions. You’re invited to Tremont for an evening of warmth and laughter as we reflect on cherished memories and look forward to the adventures ahead. […]

$75 – $150

Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

What better place to celebrate fall and improve your nature photography skills than in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Capture remarkable colors as the leaves change in our Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop.

$829

Mammals of the Smokies – Full

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Explore the diversity of mammal species in the southern Appalachian mountains, focusing on the management practices used within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

$449

Geology – FULL

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Explore the hidden backbone of the mountains while immersing yourself in this overlooked — yet vital— aspect of Smokies’ natural history.

$449

Schoolyard Network Virtual Meeting: Guest Presenter

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Tap into a network of teachers and local resource providers during friendly, informal monthly professional development and sharing sessions.

Free

Volunteer Day at Tremont

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Volunteer Work Day is a long-standing tradition at Tremont Institute. Volunteers arrive at 8:30 am and spend the day helping Tremont with a variety of projects on campus.  At the end of the day, you'll be treated to a hearty lunch for your efforts.

Free

Smoky Mountain Christmas at Tremont

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Stop by the Tremont Visitor's Center on Friday, December 1, for a festive shopping experience where you are sure to find that special something for everyone on your list! You'll receive a 15% discount on everything in the gift store, and will be treated to complimentary coffee and hot cocoa. 

Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

The Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder (also referred to as Wilderness First Responder) course is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, scout leaders, camp counselors, and any other youth or outdoor professional. It not only offers hands-on training for dealing with bites, burns, and other injuries, but also teaches participants how to manage conditions brought about by extreme temperatures and other environmental hazards.

$991

Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder Refresher

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

If you have taken Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder (also called Wilderness First Responder) in the past and are due for a renewal, this refresher course is for you! This program provides a comprehensive review of wilderness medical information and skills while satisfying the requirements to renew certification in Emergency Medical Responder on the National Registry.

$572

Naturalist Skills

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

The natural world is teeming with mystery, beauty, and wonder, often only experienced only through fleeting glimpses. Become a better observer of natural phenomena, learn how to provoke your curiosity and ask meaningful questions, and discover new ways to document your outdoor experiences so you can learn and grow as a naturalist.

$494

Winter Woody Plant ID – FULL

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Becoming a winter tree identification enthusiast is a rewarding adventure, offering a new perspective on the world around you during the colder months. Through expert instruction and guidance, you'll gain the ability to recognize trees in winter and deepen your connection with the natural world in every season.

$88

Skills for Sharing Nature

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

How do we share our love for nature with others? During this weekend-long course, we will spend our time exploring ways to interpret the world, while engaging and inspiring others with the great outdoors.

$494

Likin’ Lichens – FULL

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Lichens have captivated humans for a long time. These mysterious and diverse organisms have fascinating life histories - they defy our understanding of species and our ability to categorize everything in neat boxes. They just don’t play by the rules!

$494

Schoolyard Network Virtual Meeting: Nature Journaling

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Tap into a network of teachers and local resource providers during friendly, informal monthly professional development and sharing sessions.

Free

Walker Valley History Community Event

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United States

Journey through time with us during our Walker Valley History event, featuring Living History Tours led by knowledgeable guides. Throughout the day, visitors of all ages will be able to explore key historical sites while learning about the people who have called Tremont home. It's a day filled with discovery, nostalgia, and community spirit that shouldn't be missed - and best of all, it's free!

Free