Spend a week away from parents? Sure! But spend it among black bears, towering trees, rattlesnakes and barred owls while backpacking on steep mountain trails? Oh, yeah! Come to feel
at home in the wilderness. Sleep in the woods, swim in a mountain stream, kick back around the campfire, and make valuable new friends. As you climb a mountain carrying everything you need
to survive for 4 days and 3 nights on your back – all under your own power - you will understand what backpacking is all about. You won’t be able to wait until next year for another exciting adventure. Maybe you’ll bring along a friend….
Learn the skills necessary for planning and enjoying a safe, successful backpacking trip. A three-night backpack gives participants the chance to put these skills into practice, experience a true wilderness and make friends to last a lifetime.
Camp lasts from Monday afternoon to Saturday morning.
Cost: $460. Ages 13-17. (For a longer program, see the Teen High Adventure
Financial aid is available for qualified applicants. Please call 865-448-6709 for details.
MONDAY
2–4pm Check-in and move into lodge
4:30pm Welcome and Orientation
5:30pm Supper
6:30pm Backpack equipment check and Preparation
- Tents, packs, clothing, group equipment, food
- Leave No Trace principles
- Team-building
9:30pm Snack
10pm Bedtime
TUESDAY
8am Breakfast
9am Final Preparations
10am Departure: Begin Backpack Trip
TYPICAL DAY IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
8am Wake-up
- Begin breakfast preparations
- Pump drinking water from closest water source
- Clean-up and tent breakdown
- Pack gear
- Sweep area before departure
9:30am Stretch before hike
10am–4pm Hike & Explore Great Smoky Mountain National Park
4pm Reach Campsite
- Scout sites for tents and set up
- Locate bear cables
- Pump drinking water
- Consolidate group gear
5pm Solo Spot (Quiet Time)
6pm Dinner
7pm Clean-up
- Clean cooking site
- Hang bear bags
8pm Campfire: Group Time
10pm Bedtime
FRIDAY
2pm Return to Tremont and Unpack
- Set-up tents to air out
- Clean and store all gear
3–5pm Swimming and tubing the Middle Prong
5:30pm Supper: Cook-out
8pm Campfire
10pm Bedtime
SATURDAY
8am Breakfast
9am Pack and clean-up lodge
10:30am Pick-up and goodbyes
