Events
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Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder Refresher
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesIf 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.
$613 -
Naturalist Skills
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesThe natural world is full of mystery, beauty, and wonder — often revealed only in fleeting glimpses. This immersive weekend course is designed to sharpen your skills as an observer, interpreter, and storyteller of the natural world, giving you the tools to carry your curiosity into any landscape.
$555 -
Winter Woody Plant Identification
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesThrough expert instruction and guidance, you'll not only gain the ability to recognize trees in winter but also deepen your connection with the natural world in every season.
$99 -
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Seasons of Connection: Forest Stewardship
Tremont's Second Campus Townsend, TN, United StatesStep into the role of caretaker on our second campus with Elizabeth Davis, land manager at Tremont. Together we’ll brush up on winter tree identification, inventory a forest stand, and use our observations to read the landscape, exploring its history, health, and future.
$90 -
Schoolyard Network Virtual Meeting: Opposites
How might a game serve as an invitation for students into the learning process? Join Tremont staff and other educators to play “Opposites” - a game of antonyms, clues, and guesswork. After first having the opportunity to participate as a learner, you will then debrief ways you might bring the activity to life with your own grade level and content area.
Free -
Likin’ Lichens
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesDuring this field-based course, you’ll spend the weekend delving into the colorful, intricate, diverse, and critically important world of lichens, learning their basic ecology, identification, and natural history.
$555 -
Skills for Sharing Nature
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesHow do you inspire others to love the outdoors as much as you do? This weekend course helps you develop the art of interpreting nature — weaving meaning, relevance, and joy into every outdoor experience.
$555 -
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Seasons of Connection: Wayfinding
Tremont's Second Campus Townsend, TN, United StatesLearn the art of navigating by map and compass as you explore the forests and ridges of our Townsend campus with Kathleen Reilly, Tremont's field programs specialist. We’ll cover the basics of taking bearings, reading topographic maps, and interpreting the landscape, and then put those skills to the test on a guided orienteering challenge.
$90 -
Schoolyard Network Virtual Meeting: Beyond Names
Do you ever feel stuck only knowing an organism by its name? Join Tremont staff and other educators to join in Field Marks. You’ll have the chance to make unique insights, notice patterns, and share your connections with others in a way that goes beyond just a name. After first having the opportunity to participate as a learner, you will then debrief ways you might bring the activity to life with your own grade level and content area.
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Schoolyard Network Virtual Meeting: Reflections
Well, another year is about to come to a close, and it’s time to think about what it all means/where we want to head next. Join Tremont staff and other educators to use nature art as a mechanism for reflection and meaning-making. After first having the opportunity to participate as a learner, you will then debrief ways you might bring the activity to life with your own grade level and content area.
Free -
Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesLed by a team of professional nature photographers, you’ll venture into iconic locations such as Foothills Parkway, Elkmont, and Cades Cove (with early access before gates open). Field sessions will be complemented by one-on-one mentorship, group image reviews, and ample time for questions and feedback.
$1.025 -
Schoolyard Escape – Knoxville, TN
Join Tremont on Saturday, April 11th, 2026, for our one-day Schoolyard Escape workshop - an amazing professional and personal development experience for educators across the Schoolyard Network and beyond.
$40 -
Schoolyard Escape – Springfield, OH
Join Tremont Institute on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, for a single-day Schoolyard Escape workshop - an amazing professional and personal development experience for educators across the Schoolyard Network and beyond.
$125 -
Springtime in the Great Smoky Mountains with the Sierra Club
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesCelebrate the arrival of spring with the Sierra Club National Outings Program, based at Tremont inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both beginner and experienced hikers are welcome on this immersive trip that blends hiking, learning, and community in one of the most biodiverse regions in North America.
$1,445 -
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Plants of the Smokies – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesThe Smokies are a hotspot of botanical diversity, and spring is the perfect time to notice and observe wildflowers and fresh growth. In this weekend course, you’ll dig into plant identification through taxonomy, morphology, and field techniques.
$555 -
Birds of the Smokies – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesFrom high, exposed peaks to warmer, sheltered lowlands, around 240 species of birds have been found inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including 60 year-round residents. Get to know this abundance of avifauna during a spectacular weekend of discovery, exploration, and learning.
$555 -
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Seasons of Connection: Survival Skills
Tremont's Second Campus Townsend, TN, United StatesSurvival isn’t about conquering nature – it’s about learning to work with it. In this hands-on workshop with Tremont's Kristen Ross, you’ll explore how to use the gifts the land provides to sustain life.
$90 -
Girls in Science Camp
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesWe’re taking science out of the classroom and into the great outdoors! Over six days and five nights, campers explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from its quiet valleys to its tallest peaks. They’ll work side by side with scientists and park rangers to search for salamanders, catch and release songbirds for long-term research projects, and even design their own field investigations based on the questions that excite them most.
$100 -
Wilderness Adventure Trek I – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesWilderness Adventure Trek isn’t just about learning how to backpack — it’s about learning who you are when you climb a mountain, push past your comfort zone, and discover you’re capable of more than you thought possible.
$992 -
Discovery Camp I
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesDiscovery Camp is where kids go to be kids — curious, adventurous, and full of wonder. Set inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this overnight summer camp gives children the chance to unplug from screens, breathe fresh mountain air, and spend a week exploring the outdoors in a safe, supportive environment.
$893 -
Naturalist Week: Summer Camp for Adults
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesWhether you’re a seasoned adventurer or someone seeking a gentler introduction to the Smokies, you’ll find a place here. No prior experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to spend time outdoors.
$1,111 -
John Thurman Trout Adventure Camp
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesThe 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 -
Save the Date: Virtual Naturalist Week
At Tremont, we aim to give learners of all ages the tools and understanding needed to appreciate nature in their own neighborhoods. You’re invited to take part in Naturalist Week, a virtual event designed to help more people connect with nature, wherever they are.
Free -
Reptiles and Amphibians of the Smokies – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesSalamanders under stones, frogs calling at night, snakes basking on a warm rock — the Smokies are home to one of the richest communities of reptiles and amphibians in North America. This weekend course gives you an inside look at these fascinating and often misunderstood creatures.
$555 -
Backcountry Ecological Expedition – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesTake your summer adventure off the beaten path with a six-day, five-night canoe expedition deep into the wild side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This program combines the excitement of backcountry camping with the thrill of real scientific discovery.
$1,045 -
Wilderness Adventure Trek II
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesWilderness Adventure Trek isn’t just about learning how to backpack — it’s about learning who you are when you climb a mountain, push past your comfort zone, and discover you’re capable of more than you thought possible.
$992 -
Discovery Camp II
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesDiscovery Camp is where kids go to be kids — curious, adventurous, and full of wonder. Set inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this overnight summer camp gives children the chance to unplug from screens, breathe fresh mountain air, and spend a week exploring the outdoors in a safe, supportive environment.
$893 -
Firefly Camp – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesShare the magic of summer camp with your child during this special one-, two-, or three-night family adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Designed for children ages 4–8 and their grown-ups, Firefly Camp is the perfect way to introduce kids to the joy of camp life in a safe and welcoming setting.
$106 -
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Smoky Mountain Family Camp
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesSpend your family vacation living and learning inside the 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.
$691 -
Save the Date: Great Smokies Experience
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesGo 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 StatesVenture 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.
$1,917 -
Aquatic Ecology – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesWhere does the river begin and end? It may sound simple, but this course will challenge your preconceptions as you explore the unique ecology of aquatic systems in the southern Appalachian mountains, particularly as it relates to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
$555 -
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Teacher Escape Weekend I
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesOur Teacher Escape Weekends train teachers for experiential learning and include transferable skills to take back to the schoolyard. Our time together will be productive and fun, with time for individual reflection, discussion of critical issues, and resources for use at Tremont and beyond.
$99 -
Teacher Escape Weekend II
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesOur Teacher Escape Weekends train teachers for experiential learning and include transferable skills to take back to the schoolyard. Our time together will be productive and fun, with time for individual reflection, discussion of critical issues, and resources for use at Tremont and beyond.
$99 -
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Teacher Escape Weekend III
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesOur Teacher Escape Weekends train teachers for experiential learning and include transferable skills to take back to the schoolyard. Our time together will be productive and fun, with time for individual reflection, discussion of critical issues, and resources for use at Tremont and beyond.
$99 -
Plein Air Smokies
Join us for a week of creativity and color as 20 nationally acclaimed plein air artists paint the Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding region.
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Seasons of Connection: Seasonal Rhythms
Tremont's Second Campus Townsend, TN, United StatesSlow down and spend a restorative day immersed in the rhythms of the season with Tremont's education director, John DiDiego.
$90 -
Southern Appalachian Ecology – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesWhat makes the Southern Appalachians one of the most biodiverse regions in the world? This foundational course takes you into the forests, ridges, and coves of the Smokies to uncover the geological, climatic, and ecological forces that shaped this extraordinary landscape.
$555 -
Naturalist Skills
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesThe natural world is full of mystery, beauty, and wonder — often revealed only in fleeting glimpses. This immersive weekend course is designed to sharpen your skills as an observer, interpreter, and storyteller of the natural world, giving you the tools to carry your curiosity into any landscape.
$555 -
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Women’s Fall Backpack
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesSpend a weekend recharging in the Smokies on a three-day, two-night backpacking trip designed for adventurous women. This program is beginner-friendly yet still offers a rewarding challenge — with mountain climbs, stream crossings, and nights under the stars, all supported by Tremont’s expert naturalists.
$648 -
Save the Date: Autumn Glory in the Smokies with the Sierra Club
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesHike the Great Smoky Mountains with fellow outdoor enthusiasts with the Sierra Club National Outings Program.
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Save the Date: Tremont Writers Conference
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesJoin acclaimed author Ron Rash, a team of renowned writers, and professional park educators for a five-day retreat rooted in inspiration and authentic connection in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
$1,811 -
Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesWhen fall color peaks in the Smokies, the mountains come alive with gold, crimson, and flame-orange. This weekend workshop is your chance to capture the brilliance of autumn in one of the most photographed parks in the country.
$1,025 -
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Geology
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesThroughout the weekend workshop, we will engage other branches of natural and cultural history, focusing on geology's influence on the region's biodiversity. Hands-on explorations will include a two-mile roundtrip hike to a waterfall and several short, rugged, off-trail hikes involving rocky, uneven terrain.
$555 -
Mammals of the Smokies – Full
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN, United StatesFrom elusive black bears to darting bats and tiny shrews, the Smokies are home to an incredible variety of mammals — some iconic, some hidden, and all essential to the ecosystem. This weekend course invites you to look beyond fleeting sightings to understand how mammals live, move, and interact with their environment.
$555
