2024 Schedule
The class of 2024 will begin Saturday, July 13, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. with a welcome reception and dinner.
Graduation will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. with lunch and speaker.
Tuesday, July 23
8:30am – 2:30pm
Let’s go Fishing!
Join the park’s fishery biologist and crew as they sample populations of fish species along the spectacular Abrams Creek in Cades Cove. Waders provided.
Lunch will be provided.
Meet at the Cades Cove Ranger station/campground office at 8:00 am for attendance sign-in and announcements
Tuesday, August 13 8:30am – 2:30pm
Elkmount History, Park Maintenance and Historic Preservation
Resource education begins this session with a guided history hike. Next Facilities Management personnel talk about the park’s preservation of the 80 historic structures and trail maintenance followed by hands-on experience. Lunch provided.
Meet at Elkmont Historic District at 8:00 am.
TUESday, Sept 10
8:30AM - 2:30 pm
CADES COVE HISTORY, Resource Protection, & Wildlife Management
The session begins with an historic brief about Cades Cove. Then learn about Resource Protection / Emergency Management operations. Followed by Wildlife Biologists describing mammals in the Cove and how they are managed. Lunch provided. Meet at Cades Cove Ranger Station at 8:00 am.
TUESDAY, October 8
8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Air Quality, Exotics
Air Quality Specialist & Park Forester will present two of the most critical issues affecting the park. Beginning at Look Rock to learn and see how air quality and weather conditions are monitored. Follow by a Park Forester presenting exotics in the park with hands on observations. Lunch provided.
Meet at Look Rock parking on the Foothills Parkway at 7:30 am for ride to Eagle Rock.
TUESDAY, November 12
8:00 am – 2:30 pm
SUGARLANDS VISITOR CENTER, RESOURCE EDUCATION, SUPERINTENDENT’S STAFF, TWIN CREEKS, AND PARK PARTNERS
Gain insight into the park’s busiest Visitor Center, followed by Park educators providing a hands-on interpretive experience, meet our park partners, tour the Science Center at Twin Creeks and dabble in the stream for aquatic invertebrates (weather permitting). Lunch provided.
Meet at Sugarlands Visitor Center at 7:30 am.
Tuesday, December 10
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Preservation Center, GREAT SMOKY MTNS INSTITUTE AT TREMONT & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Beginning with a tour by the Park’s Collections Preservation Center Museum curator of historical items from the park’s vast collection. Then, let’s be kids again!! Afterwards travel to Tremont to explore how their trans-formative experiential learning techniques help to create the next generation of stewards for our world’s environment. Lunch at Tremont cafeteria (attendees pay for lunch as the kids do).
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Preservation Center in Townsend.