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Evening Activities
There are typically two one-hour activities each evening, one led by Tremont staff and one led by the school’s teachers.
Night Walk - This activity is led by Tremont staff. A Night Walk is a short ramble along the fields and trails around campus. A Teacher/Naturalist leads each group of students as they observe and listen to the night world. Sensory awareness activities are mixed into the walk. This lesson gives children a chance to try something that is likely to be far outside their range of experience, i.e. walking through a dark mountain forest without a light. It is during such experiences that children often find they have pushed their intellectual, emotional, and physical limits to exciting new levels. Though night walks are conducted without flashlights, the leader does carry a light in case of emergency.
Campfire - This activity is led by Tremont staff. This program usually contains a selection of interactive songs, stories, skits, and games. Some groups that stay for 5 days also choose to have a campfire led by their adults on another evening.
Eco-Jeopardy - This game is played just like the one on television, complete with answers and questions. Of course, here all the answers have something to do with the Smokies.
Pit: The Food Chain Game - Wall Street should be more like this game! Students are divided into teams, each team with ten cards. The object of the game is for students to trade with members of other groups to get a complete food chain. The action is fast-paced, and you have to keep an eye open for the “Pit Cops.”
Smoky Mountain Bingo Night - These bingo cards have interesting facts and information about the park and allow each child to play individually.
Black Bear Powerpoint Slide Show - Our excellent black bear slide show was created with help from researchers at the University of Tennessee. The program covers the natural history of bears in the Smokies and information on research. A script is included.
Wildlife of the Smokies Powerpoint Slide Show - This shows some of the amazing creatures that can be found in the Smokies-from bats to owls to salamanders! Each animal has its own niche in the web of life. A script is included.
Values Auction - Students are given imaginary money and an auction is conducted where they bid on items such as electricity, a long life, good friends, or their favorite car. It is explained that none have these items to begin with. A wrap-up discussion brings out ideas on what we value and what things are important for our existence.
Nature Quiz Show - This entertaining activity encourages lighthearted competition while reinforcing environmental concepts. Students are divided into groups. The “host” presents a large scoreboard that shows each team and the various games. Depending on the games chosen, each team works as a group or sends representatives up to the “stage.” After a couple of rounds of one game the host may move on to another. The
Trial of Freddie the Fungus - This activity takes the combined skills and talents of the school’s adults and selected students. Adults and students become characters in the reenactment of a trial in which Freddie the Fungus is accused of murdering Jeremiah Sycamore. But is he guilty?!?
Programs Planned & Led by School Staff - Some groups prefer to plan their own evening activities. Groups are welcome to use Tremont’s TV/VCR, DVD player, digital projector, slide projector and screen, meeting locations, or recreational equipment. Please let us know ahead of time if you need equipment set up. Tremont also has a few DVDs that can be used by schools in the evening (Education of Little Tree, The Lorax, White Fang and others).
Native American Culture and History - This is a brief introduction to the history of the Cherokee, including their myths and legends, family structure, tribal clans, and important contributions. Students will learn from a combination of short activities/traditional games, and storytelling. This can be lead by teachers or assisted by Tremont staff. This program can be taught as a one or two hour evening program or a two hour day program.
Most evening activities take place indoors with the exception of the night walk and the campfire. Some activities can be arranged to take place around a campfire (storytelling, music, etc.).