Hold a live bird in your hands before it takes off to the treetops. Sift through soil and find artifacts of the cultures that came before ours. Swim in the river in search of the Eastern Hellbender, North America’s largest salamander. Sit under a starry sky and identify the frogs you hear calling to each other. Experience the national park from an insider’s perspective by becoming a field scientist for a week or two.

Our Field Ecology Adventures are an opportunity for you to learn more about the natural world and the methods scientists use to study it by participating in science projects in the park. Hands-on studies of everything from bugs to bears will be interspersed with swimming, hiking, and games. The longer camp includes a camping trip and time for team projects developed by the campers. Both camps include plenty of fun along with science – swimming, hiking, stories around the campfire – but of course science is fun, when it happens in the Great Smoky Mountains!

Ages 13-17.
Cost for 10-day Field Ecology Adventure: $875 (Monday afternoon to the second Thursday).

Attendance is limited. To apply, please send a letter explaining why this camp is right for you, and a letter of reference from a teacher or other adult with your registration form.
Financial aid is available for applications submitted by April 1. Please call 865-448-6709 for details.

Download Sample Schedule for 5-day Field Ecology Adventure PDF

Download Sample Schedule for 10-day Field Ecology Adventure PDF