This year, Tremont will celebrate its 36th year of “connecting people and nature.” During this time, Tremont has become a leader in the field of residential environmental education. Every year, over 4,000 students and their teachers from 13 states experience the magic of the Great Smoky Mountains through Tremont’s school program. We offer an outdoor classroom within the unique diversity of the Smokies, talented staff and an innovative citizen science program. These elements, combined with dedicated teachers and excited students create a dynamic educational opportunity. One that research proves is the most effective way for students to learn a variety of subjects. Our multidisciplinary lessons seamlessly combine science, math, cultural history, nature study, the arts and much more. Lessons are correlated with the science and social studies curricula of surrounding states for grades 5 - 8 and we work with each teacher to develop a program related to each school’s needs.
Our Classroom
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is located within the watershed of the Middle Prong of the Little River, which encompasses 20,000 acres. Within this area, 20 or more miles of trails intersect diverse forest types, streams and geologic formations. Aquatic ecology studies in the Middle Prong, learning about geology and the Greenbriar Fault along the Falls Trail, searching for bear sign on Lumber Ridge, and all the other unique activities in our lessons allow the students to use the outdoors as a classroom and laboratory.
The Tremont Experience
Features
Teacher/Naturalists
To Learn More
We begin taking reservations for school groups in early January of 2008 for the 2008-2009 school year. Call GSMIT at (865) 448-6709 or e-mail mail@gsmit.org to receive an application or to have your questions answered. A variety of information can be found through links on this page or by contacting our office for a CD-ROM.
Elementary and Middle School Programs
Available early August through late June
Our customized school programs emphasize learning about the natural and cultural wonders of the park. Students reside with their teachers in the dormitory for three or five days. They participate in an interdisciplinary environmental education program that is jointly conducted by the school’s teachers and the Tremont staff. This unique, cooperative method of teaching allows students the opportunity to connect subjects from their home classrooms to lessons at Tremont and bring those ideas home again.
A variety of topics are available to meet the particular needs of each group, including all day hikes, evening programs, activities at Cades Cove or Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse, visits from guest speakers, and other special events. Tremont’s residential experience allows time necessary for immersion in a special environment – one that is social, ecological and individual.
To see samplings of the lessons offered at Tremont please visit our Lesson Briefs page
High School Programs
Available weekends and some weeks, throughout the year
These popular weekend programs challenge high school students both physically and intellectually. Students become citizen scientists as they explore current environmental issues, natural history topics, water quality problems, geology, wildlife, vegetation sampling, non-native species, and more. We can design a program to meet your school’s needs. Teachers, Tremont staff, and special guests work together to teach lessons.
