Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is renowned for connecting people and nature through our hands-on education programs in the national park. For the past decade, we have honed in on the importance of ensuring our programs are accessible to all people, no matter their circumstances, and have remained steadfast in our commitment to providing nature-based programs that spark curiosity, encourage stewardship of our planet, and create lifelong learners.

So what happens when financial barriers stand in the way of a school’s desire to offer transformative outdoor education experiences to its students? Enter Lonsdale Elementary in Knoxville—a shining example of how community support and enduring partnerships can open doors for more students to experience the wonders of Tremont Institute. 

Core to Tremont’s mission is the belief that every child deserves the chance to explore and thrive in nature. Lonsdale Elementary is a Title I school, where all students are provided free meals through Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch Act. Many of these students face financial obstacles that hinder access to enriching experiences like a trip to Tremont Institute. It’s key that we work alongside schools like Lonsdale, building pathways of access through Tremont’s financial aid and scholarship programs.

Here’s how it works. Step one is offering financial aid. Tremont Institute reserves 7% of our annual budget to support schools through financial aid, determined by a formula that takes free lunch eligibility into account. As a result, schools can receive up to 25% off their costs toward coming to Tremont Institute—significantly reducing the $260 price tag for their 3-day-2-night trip. Often, this support is all a school will need. But more and more, as costs continue to rise and working families see their dollars stretched further, we see these discounted rates as still out of reach for our most vulnerable students. It’s imperative that we help provide additional support so they have equitable access to the same life-changing programs their peers do.

That’s where our Local Schools Scholarship Fund comes into play. Through the generous support of local organizations and foundations like the City of Knoxville, Variety of Eastern Tennesee, Thompson Charitable Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and individual donors, Tremont Institute can provide further assistance for our visiting schools. Through these gifts, Lonsdale was provided additional support, allowing over 50 visitors to participate in immersive learning experiences like geology hikes, forest exploration, and living history at a deeply discounted rate—meals and housing included!

A Tremont experience goes far beyond just academics—students go back home with:

  • stronger relationships with their peers
    “My favorite part of Tremont was being with my friends and conquering my fear of heights to see the waterfall!”
  • increased confidence from pushing the boundaries of their comfort zones
    “On the first part of the mountain, I felt scared, terrified. But now I feel so brave. I’m glad I didn’t quit!”
  • an understanding of their relationship with nature
    “People used to cut down the trees for their job as a logger. Now it’s all a protected forest.”

We are grateful for the generosity of our community for helping to provide these experiences for our local students. In the words of one of Lonsdale’s visiting teachers:

“For many of our students, being at Tremont is the first time they are able to experience the freedom, peace, and enchantment that comes with being in the outdoors. Although our kids may face many challenges back home, being here at the outdoor classroom provides a unique and safe space for them to thrive. My students who have a lot of academic struggles were engaged and finding their rhythm in an awe-inspiring way that I hadn’t seen before. We are so grateful for a team of staff at Tremont and a community of supporters who provide this experience for our students.” 

Want to support Tremont’s Scholarship Fund? Make a gift today!