FULL – Naturalist Skills — Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program

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

Becoming a naturalist is a lifelong process of nurturing one’s sense of wonder while discovering and experiencing the riches found in the natural world. Learn and practice naturalist skills that will connect you to nature in deep and meaningful ways.

$420

FULL – Skills for Sharing Nature — Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program

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

Developing the skills and techniques to effectively share nature with others has never been more important than now. Learn to develop and facilitate engaging experiences in nature, help others find meaning in their experiences, and tease out relevance when engaging with any subject matter.

$420

Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop

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

From the budding flowers to the fresh green of the summer leaf canopy, the colors and light in the spring are brilliant. Capture these fresh signs of life through your own lens in our Springtime in the Smokies photography workshop.

$775

FULL – Plants — Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program

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.

$420

NEW – Naturalist Week at Tremont

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.

$840

FULL – 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

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

Full – Naturalist Skills — Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program

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

Becoming a naturalist is a lifelong process of nurturing one’s sense of wonder while discovering and experiencing the riches found in the natural world. Learn and practice naturalist skills that will connect you to nature in deep and meaningful ways.

$420

Full – Women’s Fall Backpack

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.

$490

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.

$1,145

Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop

What better place to celebrate fall and improve your nature photography skills than in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

$775

Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder

The Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder course offers hands-on training for dealing with injuries and other outdoor emergencies.

$997

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!

$535

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

Winter Woody Plant ID

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

Know what details to look for while trying to identify trees and shrubs in the wintertime. In this course, you’ll learn to notice leafless characteristics that will benefit your observation and identification skills year-round. 

$80

Likin’ Lichens

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

During this field-based course, you’ll spend the weekend delving into the enchanting world of lichens, learning their basic ecology, identification, and natural history.

$449

Skills for Sharing Nature

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

Hone your ability to develop and facilitate engaging experiences in nature, help others find meaning in their experiences, and tease out relevance when engaging with any subject matter. We’ll explore skills, resources, and strategies for making these meaningful connections with nature while practicing our own naturalist skills.

$449

Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop

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

From the uncurling of young tree leaves to a superlative woodland wildflower display, the colors and light in spring in the mountains are breathtaking. Capture these miracles of life using your own camera lens in our Springtime in the Smokies photography workshop.

$829

FULL – Birds of the Smokies

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

From 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.

$449

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop

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

More than any other place in North America, springtime in the Smokies is pure magic! From the uncurling of young tree leaves to a superlative woodland wildflower display, the colors and light in spring in the mountains are breathtaking. Capture these miracles of life using your own camera lens in our Springtime in the Smokies photography workshop.

$912

Schoolyard Escape – FULL

Dogwood Elementary School

Join Tremont on Saturday, April 13th, 2024, for our one-day Schoolyard Escape workshop - an amazing professional and personal development experience for educators across the Schoolyard Network and beyond.

$35

Campus Cleanup Volunteer Days

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

At the end of March, a powerful storm took down dozens of trees on and around Tremont's campus. Read Jeremy's account and check out pictures of the damage here. Thankfully, our staff and program participants are safe and programs are able to continue, but there is a significant mess to clean up. We're calling on [...]

Free