1 Visit gsmit.org connecting people and nature

2015

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Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont provides in-depth experiences through education programs that celebrate ecological and cultural diversity, foster steward-ship, and nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Our 500,000-acre classroom is Great Smoky Mountains National Park which is known for its diversity of plant and animal life. Tremont Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is the only residential education center in the park. Our partnership with the

park allows us to work with park rangers and scientists to develop and deliver educational experiences with proven impact.

Many of our professional faculty and staff hold advanced degrees in fields such as biology, environmental studies, and education. Participants can expect to see familiar faces when they return year after year. These relationships, paired with our time-tested curriculum, create a learning community that begins before the trip and continues well after.

We focus on impact and transformative experiences that awaken senses and encourage action in schools, at home, and in your community. We empower learning and participation in citizen science projects. We create space for dis-covery, personal development, and opportunities to unplug and explore.

Join in the conversation and see more

awesome photos on Facebook

For detailed information, visit gsmit.org. Questions? Call us at (865) 448-6709.

Cover Photo by Caleb Carlton

Bringing education to life.

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pg. 6 What’s Happening?pg. 7 Try Something Newpg. 8-9 School Programspg. 10 Cooperative Teaching Methodpg. 11 Teacher Professional Developmentpg. 12-13 Citizen Science

pg. 14-15 Summer Youth Programs pg. 16-17 Adult & Family Programspg. 18-19 Naturalist Classespg. 20-21 About Uspg. 22-23 How Can You Help?

Les McGlasson

And life to education.

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From first-timers to old-timers, we often hear from folks about that special something that exists here in the Smokies... the friendliness, the warmth of the welcome, the stunning diversity of life in these gorgeous mountains. Tremont Institute is proud to be a part of this inspirational community for our 46th year. We believe learning is most impactful and personally rewarding when you are actively en-gaged in an outdoor experience and when you are encouraged to foster meaningful relation-ships with your fellow participants, students, and faculty. We believe learning is a lifelong adventure so we create experiences for par-ticipants from the ages of 5 to 95. We believe the Smokies provide an awe-inspiring classroom through all four seasons. We warmly welcome you to join us this year for a life-changing experience.

Jennifer Jones, PhDPresident & CEO

The Smokies Welcome You

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIESTremont Institute has a long history of hosting colleges and universities. We work closely with faculty to customize programs and tailor curric-ulum to support the needs of students in their particular field of study and according to academic requirements. Learn more at gsmit.org/college.html.

We host over 5,000 people each year. The majority of our participants are school-age children and their teachers and chaperones. Schools are wel-comed year-round and stay from 3-5 days with the Smokies as their classroom. Our experienced

faculty lead lessons integrating required standards, and students have the opportunity to eat, sleep, and learn in a community setting. Read more on pages 8-9.

Caleb Carlton

J. Jones Photo by Andy Wszalek

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Financial Aid

Thanks to our generous contributors, we offer need-based financial aid through the Tremont Scholarship Fund.

Visit gsmit.org/financialaid.html.

ADULT & FAMILYJANUARY9-12 Winter Masters Photography Workshop18-25 Wilderness First Responder Course 24 Winter Woody Plant ID—Day Program30-Feb 1 Wilderness First Responder Refresher

FEBRUARY6-8 Family Adventure Weekend 13-15 Interpretation & Naturalist Skills

MARCH21 Smokies Scavenger Hunt—Day Program

APRIL12-17 Spring Hiking Road Scholar 24-27 Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop

MAY8-10 Birds of the Smokies 8-10 Plants

JULY2-5 Adult Backpacking6-11 Smoky Mountains Family Camp 27-29 Reptiles & Amphibians 29-31 Aquatic Natural History AUGUST 14-17 Summer Masters Photography Workshop

SEPTEMBER6-11 Fall Hiking Road Scholar18-20 Southern Appalachian Ecology

OCTOBER4-9 Fall Hiking Road Scholar 16-18 Women’s Fall Backpack23-26 Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop

NOVEMBER6-8 Mammals6-8 Geology

SUMMER YOUTHJUNE 8-13 Discovery Camp I8-13 Girls in Science Camp I 8-13 Wilderness Adventure Trek I 22-27 Backcountry Ecological Expedition I 22-27 Discovery Camp II 22-27 Wilderness Adventure Trek II29-July 4 Girls in Science II30-July 5 Backcountry Ecological Expedition II

JULYJune 30-2 Firefly Camp13-18 Discovery Camp III13-23 Field Ecology Adventure 13-23 Teen High Adventure 16-27 Maryville College Great Smokies Experience

TEACHER WORKSHOPSFEBRUARY 13-15 Educator Workshop: Likin’ Lichens

JUNE15-18 Science Teacher Institute

AUGUST29-30 Teacher Escape I

SEPTEMBER 12-13 Teacher Escape II

NEW!

NEW!

NEW!

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Make a Music Video!

GSM

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Tremont Institute has been selected by UC Berkeley to pilot the latest evidence-based science learning and teaching approach. BEETLES embraces a student-focused approach that empowers them by putting the learning process in their own hands. Research supports that these techniques strengthen critical thinking and ignite life-long learning.

Imagine yourself sitting quietly by a trickling stream, watching a female Louisiana Waterthrush (LOWA) industriously building her well-hid-den nest while her mate sings boisterously over-head. You spend hours following these birds around and are finally rewarded with the dis-covery of their chosen nest site. This is what Lee Bryant, a new Master’s student from Arkansas

State University, will be doing every day this spring, among many other tasks, like target banding individuals and conducting foraging observations.

You can become part of Team LOWA. Join her in the field! The more boots on the ground monitoring our waterthrush, the better!

Contact Citizen Science Coordinator, Tiffany Beachy, at (865) 448-6708 for details.

Be Part of Team LOWA

Have you heard about the BEETLES Project?

What do you get when you mix pop music, kid creativity, and 250-mil-lion-year old mountains? #Smoki-esCOOL, an exciting new approach to engage youth in science education. Selected schools work with Tremont faculty to research, write, film and pro-duce original music videos that teach the world about the Smokies. Watch them at themiddleprongpress.com.

#SmokiesCOOLCreative Outlets for Outdoor Learning

Mac Post

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FIREFLY CAMPand join in the fun yourself

Bring your younger children to

BEST OF THE SMOKIESBACKPACK the

Spend a night (or two!) in the mountains with your little one and give them a hint of the fun to come when they attend Discovery Camp for the first time on their own. With you by their side, your children will have the sense of security to freely enjoy themselves as they explore and learn from our talented teaching staff. This program is geared toward youth 5-8 years old

with activities that both parents and children can enjoy. See page 16 for dates or visit gsmit.org/SummerYouth.html for details.

with other adults who love adventureSign on for Backpacking the Smokies, and you’ll be on your way to hiking and back-packing the long trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Join us this year for the first in our series and section hike through the Smokies. See page 16 for details or visit gsmit.org for more info.

Jennie McG

uigianJigsha D

esai

TRY SOMETHING NEW AT TREMONTNEW!

GEOLOGY WEEKENDExplore the hidden backbone of the mountains in our

Immerse yourself in this overlooked yet vital aspect of Smokies natural his-tory. Using field geology techniques, we will investigate both popular and lesser-known locales in the park, ex-amine sedimentary and metamorphic

outcrops, and discuss geologic struc-tures like folds and faults. The work-shop will conclude by compiling our collective observations to illustrate the geologic history of the Smokies. See page 18 for more information.

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SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Learning happens best when students are fully immersed in the learning process and can investigate their environment.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

OUR CORE EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK begins with…

Sense of Place developing ties to nature

Biodiversity making new connections

Stewardship community involvement

Casey Franklin

• Create hands-on experiences that engage teachers and students

• Build critical thinking skills and scientific literacy with an eye on educational standards

• Challenge teachers and students to develop personal connections to the land

• Teach cooperatively alongside our classroom counterparts to provide rich context for learning

• Immerse participants in the biodi-versity and beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

WHAT WE DO

Sue Zupko

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For Students• Heightened interest in learning• Greater willingness to act as stewards of the environment• Better understanding of science and the natural world

For Teachers• Closer relationships with students and teaching team• Professional development• Renewed love of teaching

Contact our school programs coordinator today to learn more about bringing your school to Tremont.

(865) 448-6709

GSM

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See a full course selections online at www.gsmit.org/Lessons.html

IS TREMONT INSTITUTE THE PLACE FOR YOU?We work with elementary, middle and high schools across the United States. Our curricula bridge science, math, social studies, and language arts and are further enriched through our citizen science program (see pg. 12-13).

FINANCIAL AIDMoney, or lack of it, should never stand in the way of a life-changing education-al experience. Contact us at (865) 448-6709 to ask about financial aid for your trip and fundraising ideas for your school. Visit gsmit.org/financialaid.html.

WHAT WE DELIVER: OUTCOMES

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How to Increase Impact During and After Your Tremont Experience

COOPERATIVE TEACHING METHOD

We know that the more teachers invest in their trips, the greater the learning impact is on students throughout the year. Therefore, we strongly encourage teachers to partner with us by teaching students cooperatively.

Learn more about the benefits of co-teaching at gsmit.org/teachers.html

“Teaching hands-on science was very intimidating to me before this experience but now I feel like I have

learned some practical methods to do this type of teaching with my

students and I have also gained confidence in my ability.”

-Science Teacher Institute participant

Emily Julian

What is the Cooperative Teaching Method?A team teaching method that provides you the opportunity to connect subjects and standards from your classroom to the hands-on lessons learned at Tremont. You, your students and Tremont faculty benefit immensely from this part-nership.

What will you gain through this partnership?• Increased educational impact • Classroom resources• New teaching methods• Increased confidence

• Citizen science opportunities• Stronger bonds with your students• Scientific literacy• Renewed love of learning

GSM

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TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Educators’ Workshop: Likin’ Lichens February 13-15 Lichens—these mysterious organisms have fascinated people for years. Not a plant, not a fungus, but a surprisingly elegant combination of the two. Spend the weekend delving into the enchanting world of lichens as we learn their basic ecology, identification, and natural history during this field-based workshop. Cost: $50 for 10 qualifying K-12 teachers. The cost for non-teachers is $295. Space is limited to 20 participants, so register early. See gsmit.org/EducatorWorkshops.html.

Science Teacher Institute Improving Teaching and Learning in STEMJune 15-18 Learn about current trends in Air Quality, Climate Change and a variety of other research-based Citizen Science projects that are easy to replicate at your school. You will gain new approaches

and tools for improving science teaching and learning that will transform your teaching in the classroom!Cost: $125 ($350 value) - Limit two teachers per school. See gsmit.org/STI.html.

Teacher EscapeAugust 29-30 & September 12-13 This fun mini-conference and retreat will demystify the power of experiential learning and the Tremont cooperative teaching method. Whether you are a first-timer or a 20-year veteran, you will meet other teachers, share best practices, and prepare to bring your students to Tremont. Cost: $75 non-refundable registration fee.

TEACHERS - Check out our Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program. These courses are a great way to expand your depth of knowledge on specific sub-jects. Visit gsmit.org/SANCP.html for course options.

Attend any of these workshops or our naturalist certification program courses to reduce the cost of your school trip. Ask us how!

Jennie McGuigan

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For years Tremont Institute has been a leader in citizen science—public involvement in scientific research—as a tool to connect people and nature. Participants and volunteers of all ages have the opportunity to contribute to scientific research conducted within the national park. Resulting data are shared with collaborating scientists and park resource managers, as well as the general public.

CITIZEN SCIENCE AT TREMONT INSTITUTE

Some of our current projects

include: BIRD BANDING

SALAMANDERMONITORING

MONARCHTAGGING

PHENOLOGYMONITORING

Visit gsmit.org/CitizenScience.html for project dates and citizen science info.

Wild and Wonderful Photography - Tyson Smith

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• Contribute to research that informs REAL conservation decisions that impact the park.

• Participate in ground-breaking research.

• Be part of global monitoring programs.

Citizen science research is completed with help from participants, volunteers, and research partners.

• Hands on the Land• Institute for Bird Populations• Maryville College • National Park Service

• NIMBioS• Oak Ridge National Lab• Pellissippi College• University of Tennessee

WHAT’S THAT BIRD WEARING?In collaboration with the National Aviary in Pittsburg, we fitted tiny backpack geolo-cators on Louisiana Waterthrushes to study their migration and wintering behav-ior - the first Louisi-ana Waterthrushes in the world to receive these state-of-the-art devices!

GSM

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GSMIT Archives

GET INVOLVED Citizen science happens year-round at Tremont Institute. Many projects can be woven directly into your scheduled

program and volunteer opportunities outside the program calendar are avail-able. For example, consider adopting a phenology plot throughout the year or participating in our bird banding this summer. Contact us at (865) 448-6709 to get started!

YOU CAN

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SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS & EXPEDITIONS

NATURE EXPLORATIONDiscovery CampJune 8-13, June 22-27, & July 13-18 Explore nature while getting down and dirty with the forests, rivers, and critters that make these mountains home. Cost: $555. Ages 9–12.

SCIENCEGirls in Science June 8-13 & June 29-July 4 Join other intrepid girls for the adven-ture of your life getting up close and personal with critters, plants, and the forces that shape our natural world as you work with scientists to conduct hands-on science in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See gsmit.org/girlscience.html Ages 12-15.

Backcountry Ecological ExpeditionJune 22-27 & June 30-July 5 Explore relatively undisturbed areas of the park, conducting field experiments and keeping a record of your obser-vations. You’ll explore creeks and hollows in search of the next organism new to the park or even to science! Cost: $619. Ages 13–17.

Field Ecology AdventureJuly 13-23 Are you a field scientist? You will be as you conduct and develop a real research case study. Field ecology ad-venture culminates with a group pre-sentation of findings from the week. Cost: $1,164. Ages 13–17.

CHILD & PARENT ADVENTURE Firefly Camp Beginning June 30 (One, two or three nights)Finally, an overnight camp for younger kids! Bond with your child during a one-night stay in the park. Play games that build confidence and awaken the senses. Learn about the forest and wade in a moun-tain stream. Sing songs around the campfire and watch the fireflies as dusk falls. Children Ages: 5-8Cost: One night: $89 for child + parent (See gsmit.org for additional pricing)

NEW!

$50 EARLY BIRD SAVINGSif registered by February 27, 2015.*

VISIT OUR WEB SITEFOR SUMMER PROGRAM

INFORMATIONgsmit.org/SummerYouth.html

*Restrictions apply. See website for more info.

Tiffany BeachyAm

y Wilson

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Wilderness Adventure TrekJune 8-13June 22-27You’ll start by learning the skills necessary for planning and enjoying a safe, successful backpacking trip. And before you know it, you’ll be climbing a mountain carrying everything you need to survive for four days and three nights. Cost: $607. Ages 13–17.

Teen High Adventure July 13-23Backpack in the national park, con-quer a ropes course, and experience the exhilaration of whitewater rafting. Cost: $1,164. Ages 13–17.

WILDERNESS BACKPACKING

COLLEGE CREDIT COURSEMaryville College Great Smokies Experience For High School Students July 16-27 (July 20-26 at Tremont)This two-week course includes activities and topics that range from hikes tohistory, ecosystems to nationalism. Students spend half of their time camping at Tremont, and the other half living on campus at Maryville College. For rising high school juniors and seniors, this once-in-a-lifetime experience offers college credit hours in environmental issues. Contact Doug Sofer at Doug.Sofer@maryvillecollege.edu or visit maryvillecollege.edu/gse for more information.

FIND SUMMER PROGRAMINFORMATION ATgsmit.org/SummerYouth.html

Caleb Carlton

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ADULT & FAMILY PROGRAMS

NEW!

BACKPACKING

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Winter Light Masters Class January 9-12 Cost: $642. Springtime in the Smokies April 24-27 Cost: $611.

Summer B&W Masters ClassAugust 14-17 Cost: $642 Autumn BrillianceOctober 23-26 Cost: $611.

Spring Hiking Road Scholar April 12-17 Through daily hikes, you’ll explore the cultural and natural history of this region with its unique traditions and rich biodiversity. Cost: $645. Find more information and register at roadscholar.org using program code 2263.

Fall Hiking Road Scholar September 6-11 October 4-9Hit the trail and discover the unique cultural traditions and rich biodiversi-ty of the Smokies. Explore these ancient mountains and wonder why you don’t do this more often. Cost: $699 Find more information and register at roadscholar.org using program code 2263.

Backpacking the Smokies SeriesJuly 2-5 On part one, join experienced guides and naturalists to backpack a section of the Benton MacKaye Trail. Begin-ning at Smokemont and traveling to the trail’s northern terminus at Big Creek, we will summit Mount Ster-ling. This is both a beautiful and stren-uous hike, and participants should be prepared to hike 6-8 hours per day on steep and rocky terrain. For details on the next adventures, watch gsmit.org. Cost: $550.

Women’s Fall BackpackOctober 16-18 Looking for a girls’ weekend away? Join our experienced guides and mar-vel in the glory of autumn in the Great Smoky Mountains. Cost: $356.

Pick your favorite season or try them all. Photography workshops at Tremont feature re-nowned photographers such as Bill Lea and Will Clay guiding you through the best photo spots in the Smokies. Whether you are a serious beginner or you are ready for our masters classes, you will find one-on-one assistance and helpful critiques

during these energizing week-end workshops. Photo workshop prices include meals, lodging and instruction.

See gsmit.org/workshops.html for specifics on class emphasis, suggested skill level, and instructors.

HIKING

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Wilderness First Responder CourseJanuary 18-25Led by instructors from Roane State Community College, the program curriculum meets the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and national registry standards for First Responder training. Cost: $795. Includes instruction, meals, and lodging.

Wilderness First Responder RefresherJanuary 30 - February 1This program satisfies the require-ments for the renewal of your First Responder certification. It is also an excellent review of wilderness medical information and skills. Cost: $393. Includes instruction, meals, and lodging.

FAMILY TIME

Family Adventure WeekendFebruary 6-8 Discover the fun of a winter week-end with your family in the Smokies. Bundle up the kids and head out for a frosty adventure or keep yourselves cozy by the campfire as you enjoy time together. Cost: $465 for family of four ($102 for each additional person).

Smokies Scavenger Hunt—Special EventMarch 21Gather your team and seek answers to questions that will test your knowl-edge of the national park. Visit gsmit.org/hunt.html for details.

Firefly CampBeginning July 1 A one or two-night adventure for par-ents and their younger children (ages 5-8). See page 14 for information.

Family CampJuly 6-11 Surround your family with the magic of the mountains. This week-long adventure is designed for fami-lies that are ready to leave their cares behind in exchange for a week of unending family fun. Cost: $1,654 for a family of four ($364 each additional person).

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER

NATURALIST CLASSESSee next page for list of naturalist classes

and certification information.

NEW!

Emily

Julia

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NATURALIST CLASSES & CERTIFICATION

Winter Woody Plant ID—Day ProgramJanuary 24Discover a number of characteristics that will help you identify trees even in the wintertime. Cost: $55 per person. Includes a sack lunch.

Geology November 6-8Explore rock outcrops in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and interpret how geology affects cultural history and biodiversity in the region. Cost: $295 per person.

SANCP Elective Courses

Interpretation: A Teachable Art & Naturalist SkillsFebruary 13-15

Birds May 8-10

Plants May 8-10 Reptiles and Amphibians July 27-29

Aquatic Natural HistoryJuly 29-31

Southern Appalachian EcologySeptember 18-20

Mammals November 6-8

Cost: Each weekend course is $327 per person. Includes instruction, meals, and lodging.

The Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program (SANCP) is a field-based program that offers “basic training” in southern Appalachian ecol-ogy and interpretive techniques. Sign up for the classes that interest you or choose a class to begin working toward certification. When you complete the core courses, you will receive certifica-tion, awarded jointly by Tremont Insti-tute and the University of Tennessee.

Our SANCP is fun and engaging enough for all audiences. The same dynamic and professional faculty that facil-itate all our school and university programs teach our SANCP courses. Addi-tional expertise by way of park staff, research partners, and top-notch educators is brought in as needed.

SANCP Core Courses

In addition to the core courses, we have two bonus classes available in 2015. Neither are required for certification. Enjoy these SANCP extras!

• Engage you in natural history

• Foster your appreciation & stewardship of the mountain ecosystems

• Help develop the skills need-ed to share your knowledge with others

PROGRAM GOALS

NEW!

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Join the SANCP community! Visit gsmit.org/SANCP.html to pick your starting class today.

Join other curious nature enthusiasts for the learning experience of a lifetime!

Whether you are discovering a new love of nature or you are a seasoned naturalist, don’t pass up this opportunity.

My time as a volunteer in the park combined with my hiking experience (over 8,000 miles in the national park!) had me convinced that I knew a lot about the Smokies.

I decided to try the SANCP Mammals course, an intensive deep dive into the animals that can

be found here in the park. I learned a lot about mammals. I also learned that instead of being

knowledgeable about the park, I, in fact, knew very lit-tle, just barely the tip of the iceberg. I also started to learn

that there is an entire community of people who love the Smokies, want to protect the Smokies, have extensive knowledge of the Smokies

and want to share that knowledge. I wanted to be one of them. The hook was sunk. I quickly decided I wanted to do the entire program.

I decided to go back to school and study for a MS in Resource Interpretation. Upon completing that course of study, I was hired by the park as a seasonal Inter-pretive Park Ranger. I then started working as an Education Park Ranger. That is what I now do full time.

I am always learning more about the park. Thanks to Tremont, I am now a Southern Appalachian Naturalist and a Park Ranger. I am a person who is doing something to try and make a difference and I am having the time of my life doing it.

Park Ranger Lloyd’s StoryIn 2010, Lloyd Luketin and his wife, Lorna, graduated

from Tremont’s certification program. He now works full time as an Education Park Ranger for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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ABOUT OUR FACULTY

Our faculty make the difference! Our teachers hold degrees in environ-mental education, biology and more related topics; many at the graduate level. Our faculty have been teaching for years at Tremont Institute, in classrooms and at other centers around the country. Enthu-siasm, commitment and professionalism have created a staff with years of experi-ence in the Smokies.

Les McGlasson

presidentBilly Carroll

secretaryBill Varner

treasurerElizabeth Estill

past president Cathy Ackermann

DirectorsJack BurginBill CobbleJoe EmertRandy Gibson

Jim HaslamMorton MasseyEd PershingDick RayChad Youngblood

teacher/naturalistsDylan Amerson Kensey Baker Elizabeth DavisDawn DextrazeCasey Franklin citizen science coordinatorTiffany Beachy

school program coordinatorJennie McGuigan

special program coordinatorJeremy Lloyd

program specialistMary Dresser

education director John DiDiego

food serviceRobyn BuchananLinda HatcherAmanda MoellerEmy Willison

food service assistant managerNola Austin

food service directorWendy Lineberger

grounds & facilitiesSam CroweDalton Read

grounds & facilities managerDoc Johnson

registrar/assistant office managerJulie Brown

media and outreach specialistCaleb Carlton

marketingmanagerHeather Davis

developmentdirectorMark Burns

salesLinda Vananda

sales managerGary Carpenter

finance managerMike Gross

human resource/office managerCharlene Stewart

president & ceoJen Jones, PhD

STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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PROGRAM REGISTRATION Registering for a Tremont program is easy! Visit gsmit.org to register online. You can also download our registration form and mail along with your payment or call us at (865) 448-6709 to register over the phone with a credit card. Program fees cover costs for lodging, meals, and instruction unless otherwise noted.

Tremont Institute is situated about four miles from the Townsend, TN entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is surrounded by miles of trails, rushing rivers and falls, and a half million acres of mountains and forests.

We can house up to 135 people onsite and have a full kitch-en staff serving 3 hot meals a day. Living and learning inside a national park certainly has its rewards. Feel your worries melt away as you cross the bridge over the Middle Prong to this quiet place tucked into the mountains. Step out of bed each morning and walk outdoors to a breathtaking view of Fodderstack Mountain—a perfect way to begin a day in the national park!

ABOUT OUR CAMPUS AND FACILITY

Sue Zupko

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A trip to Tremont is a life-changing experience for today’s youth. Please consider a gift to Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. As a private non-profit, Tremont depends on contributions to conserve and restore our en-vironment through education. Children who attend our programs show greater appreciation for their surroundings and improved attitudes toward classroom learning and teamwork. Our contributors include individuals, organizations, foundations, and corporations who value our mission and want to support their community.

HELP TREMONT INSTITUTE

DONATE BY MAILDONATE ONLINEVisit gsmit.org/donate.html

DONATE BY PHONE(865) 448-6709

Mail your donation to: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont9275 Tremont Rd.Townsend, TN 37882

PLANNED GIVINGPlanned giving involves providing for a future gift to Tremont through your financial and estate plans. A common misconception is that planned gifts are only for the very wealthy. In fact, individuals of all levels can engage in strategic planned giving and you can create a lasting legacy for students at Tremont.

JOIN THE LEGACY CIRCLE There are many different forms your gift can take depending on your goal, including:• Adding a bequest provision to your will and donating your full or par-

tial estate to Tremont.• Adding Tremont as a beneficiary to the residual of your retirement plan

or life insurance policy• Creating a charitable gift annuity that will provide you with income

during your lifetime and then pass on to Tremont

SHOP IN OUR STOREAll proceeds from the store support Tremont programs

SPECIAL EVENTSCheck gsmit.org for special events through-out the year that benefit Tremont programs.

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Throughout the year, our loyal volunteers assist with a variety of activities such as event planning, friend-raising, fund-raising, citizen science and mainte-nance projects. If you enjoy working with others who believe in environmental education for all ages, and you want to be part of a group that is really making a difference in the lives of all who come to Tremont, contact us today to let us know how you might help us fulfill our mission.

Fill out our volunteer application online at gsmit.org/volunteer.html.

To learn more about donating to Tremont, visit gsmit.org/donate.html or call (865) 448-6709 today!

VOLUNTEERING AND SERVING

Annual - Provides near-term support for materials, supplies, new programs and other current needs.

Endowment - Provides long-term funding to ensure that Tremont continues to offer the best learning experience to all interested students.

Scholarship - Helps students experience one of many indepth environmental education programs.

FUNDS

The peaceful water makes me smile;I’m going to stay here for awhile.

The branches that hang here above the creekMake me feel like I’m brave and strong; not weak.

The sound of the water flowing fast,How is everything so, so vast?

I love this place; it calms me down.I think that my happy place has been found!

Poem by Mallory Egly, middle school student

Connecting people and nature in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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