Legacy of Tremont Alumni Hikes

(Great Smoky Mountains) – Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont’s Legacy will host its first alumni hike on Thursday, October 25th. Led by Ken Voorhis, Tremont’s Executive Director, a group of up to 15 individuals will enjoy a beautiful 7-mile autumn hike from Tremont to the upper reaches
of the Walker Valley/Middle Prong watershed and Green Camp Gap.

Voorhis, who has led Tremont since 1984 notes, “Our alumni includes over 175,000 people of all ages who have enjoyed and learned from Tremont’s in-depth programs.”

Hikers will meet at Tremont at 9 a.m. and should bring water, lunch and weather appropriate hiking gear. The trail is appropriate for hikers of intermediate abilities and will involve some hiking on old unmaintained trails that are overgrown and require several stream crossings. For details about the hike, please contact our office.

According to Voorhis, “This is a favorite Tremont staff hike and includes beautiful streamside views as well as some great views down the valley as you climb to Green Camp Gap.  Along the way we will spend time talking about the natural history of this area as well as a bit of history related to the
logging that occurred here.”

If you can’t make this hike, join Legacy of Tremont for other upcoming outdoor excursions for our alumni including:
• January 19, 2008 – Winter tree identification with Ken Voorhis, Tremont Executive Director
• April 19, 2008 – Spring Wildflower Hike with Amber Parker, Tremont Education Director
• June 7, 2008 – Bird watching at the Cove with Amber Parker, Tremont Education Director
• July 19, 2008 – Summer Hike lead by Tremont Teacher/Naturalists
 
The cost of each hike is $15 per person and pre-registration is required. The fee supports our school and youth programs, helping us to connect children and nature. For more information or to register, please call 448-6709 or e-mail Meredith@gsmit.org.

History of Legacy of Tremont

On the urging of multiple Tremont board members, friends and supporters, a group of individuals met in February of 2007 to discuss the feasibility of a support group for Tremont. Seven short months later, Legacy held it’s first event Homecoming, on September 16, 2007.

Legacy’s mission is to heighten public awareness and to support Tremont in the community-at-large by creating and managing a variety of activities, including friend raising, to assist Tremont with accomplishing its mission of providing in-depth experiences through educational programs designed to
nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, celebrate diversity, and foster stewardship.

To learn more about Legacy, please visit http://www.gsmit.org/legacy.html or contact Meredith P. Goins at 865/448-6709 ext. 24 or e-mail Meredith@gsmit.org.

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides in-depth experiences to thousands of people of all ages through educational programs designed to nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains national Park, celebrate diversity, and foster stewardship.

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