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Keep up with our Summer Research Interns - read the "Tremonthly" summer science report.
It's Great Smoky Mountains Photo Contest time again! Read the rules here
Evaluating Tremont's Impact
Learn why your school's visit to Tremont will be "more than just a field trip."
All four of us absolutely loved the experience! The staff were incredible, flexible, knowledgeable, and fun! Their expertise was endless, and their enthusiasm contagious! My kids wanted to adopt them as family! Thank you for a wonderful time, wonderful experiences, and wonderful food. It's a family weekend we won't soon forget! - The Brown Family 
Run away from home and bring the family with you! There is no better way to spend a weekend with the family than exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This weekend is chocked full of hikes, crafts, games, waterfalls, beautiful views, campfires and plenty of time to enjoy being with the ones you love. We will provide discovery and adventure AND we do all the cooking! It doesn’t get much better than this! Join our talented staff for a weekend you will never forget. 
Program lasts from Friday supper through Sunday lunch. Cost: $345 for family of four ages 6 and up ($70 for each additional person); includes all meals, lodging, materials, and instruction. Visit GSMIT’s Web site www.gsmit.org for a full schedule. - Sample Schedule
If a weekend just isn’t enough, check out our Smoky Mountains Family Camp, June 30-July 5, 2008
or call 865-448-6709 for more information.
For More information on accommodations and what to bring - Click Here
Family Adventure Weekend 2008 Sample Schedule
Friday, February 1
3:00 – 5:00 Check-in and get settled
6:00 Supper
7:00 Welcome and Introductions
7:15 Icebreakers
8:00 Star Party
Have you ever wondered how high you could jump on the moon, or tried to make your very own constellation? This evening we’ll play space games and spend some time enjoying the night sky. If we’re lucky, we might even see a shooting star.
9:00 Quiet Time – Hit the hay or play games in the activity center.
Saturday, February 2
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-2:00 2/3 day Backpack Trip
Head into the wilderness for a taste of what it means to go on a backpacking trip. On this four mile hike, we’ll visit one of the park’s backcountry campsites, practice setting up a tent and filtering our own drinking water, and learn how to travel without leaving a trace. We’ll even get a chance to cook and sample real backpacking cuisine.
9:00 -Noon Smoky Mountain Wildlife
These woods are full of all kinds of animals. There are big ones and small ones, slimy and furry, some under logs and some up in trees, and we’re going to find out how much fun it is to explore their habitats. We’ll look for clues like tracks and nests, and as we learn how and where animals live.
12:30 Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 Nature Art
Spend the afternoon making art from nature, for nature. We’ll learn about some of the amazing natural art installations by folks like Andy Goldsworthy and then we will create some of our own from stones, wood, leaves, and anything found outdoors. This is a great activity for folks of all ages.
3:00 – 4:30 Tremont Scavenger Hunt
Ready, set, go! Spend the afternoon poking into corner all around campus as you search for things, facts, or other items related to the scavenger hunt clues. It will take all your observation skills and brainpower to prevail!
4:30-5:30 Break- Time to Relax!
Go for a walk, play a game in the activity center, play some basketball, do a fun craft in the Spruce/Fir Room, or anything else you like.
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Campfire- Council House
A Tremont campfire is one of the most fun things around. Join us for a rollicking good time as we sing, tell stories, and make some noise. Stay afterwards for some campfire goodies.
Sunday, February 3
8:00 Breakfast, Pack Up
Pack a Sack Lunch
9:00-1:00 John Oliver Homeplace
Visit the historic homeplace of the first European settler in Cades Cove. We’ll explore the area to learn how people made a living in the wilderness and will explore more of Cades Cove history along the way.
9:00- 1:00 Hike to Spruce Flats Falls
Take a nice hike to a spectacular waterfall. Spruce Flats Falls is located 1.1 miles from Tremont along a moderate hiking trail. Along the way we will look for geologic faults, different forest types, and anything else that catches our attention.
Accommodations and Other Tidbits
The Dormitory
Tremont’s dormitory is made up of 4 sections, two upstairs and two downstairs. Each section is fairly open and has many bunks. Families will have a choice of three types of sleeping arrangements. We will offer a men’s section, women’s section, and a coed section. The coed section will accommodate families that may want, or need, to stay together (ie. Mother and son, father and daughter, or families that simply want to bunk together). The dormitory is heated and air conditioned and has modern bathroom facilities. The bathrooms will NOT be coed.
What to Pack
Please review the enclosed brochure entitled “Your Visit to Tremont” for a complete list of very important items (ie. sleeping bag, pillow, etc.) to bring for the week. Make sure to bring plenty of clothes for layering, daypack(s) for hikes, a sturdy pair of shoes for hiking, and water bottles for the entire family. You will need to have sleeping bags, or twin bed sheets and a blanket, for each family member along with towel, washcloth, and toiletries. Slippers and a flashlight are also recommended.
Contact with the “Outside World”
There isn’t cell phone reception in Walker Valley. Tremont has one telephone available for use locally or long distance with a calling card. Coming to Tremont is a great opportunity to get away from the electronic “plugged-in” world and focus on your family and the Great Smokies.
Meals
Tremont serves three hearty meals a day. Breakfast may be eggs, biscuits, and sausage, pancakes, or French toast. We also have a great cereal and fruit bar. Lunch and supper are well rounded and hot, unless we have a sack lunch. We have a fabulous salad bar at these meals. Any meal that has a meat entrée will also include a vegetarian option. Please let us know about any food allergies that you or your child may have by completing that information on the Health and Waiver form.
We are looking forward to spending a weekend with your family!