2025 Tentative Schedule

NOTE: The final schedule will be published in March after finalized with National Park staff.

The class of 2025 will begin Saturday, July 12, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. with a welcome reception and dinner at the Lily Barn, Townsend, TN. 
Graduation will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. with lunch and speaker at the Abbey, Townsend, TN.

Tuesday, July 22
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, introductions and announcements.

Tuesday, August 12 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 in Elkmont Historic District at the Appalachian Club at 8:00 am for attendance and Class photo.

TUESday, Sept 09
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 for attendance and announcements.

TUESDAY, October 14
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 carpool/caravan to Eagle Rock.

TUESDAY, November 4
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 for attendance and announcements..

Tuesday, December 9
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 for attendance and announcements..