Great Smokies Experience

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Great Smokies Experience

Earn college credit in the Great Smoky Mountains!

07/17/2026

Yesterday, the GSE 2026 crew tackled the biggest physical and mental challenge of the week: a 12-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Mount Le Conte. Rising to 6,593 feet above sea level, Mount Le Conte is the third-highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Along the way, students learned about the natural history of the Southern Appalachian Mountains while observing how the forest transformed across more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain. With perfect weather and spectacular views from the summit, it made for an unforgettable day in the park.

07/13/2026

Today the crew packed up their bags and hopped in the van for the short drive to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. After checking into their dorms and grabbing a quick lunch, the students wasted no time jumping into the next phase of the Great Smokies Experience.

For the next week, they'll call Great Smoky Mountains National Park home as they explore its diverse ecosystems and learn how the natural and human histories of southern Appalachia are deeply intertwined. Stay tuned!

07/11/2026

Today was our first full day of the Great Smokies Experience!

As is tradition, we kicked off the program by climbing Mountain Challenge's Alpine Tower on the Maryville College campus. Students learned how to operate a belay for one another while taking on the mental and physical challenge of climbing the 60-foot tower.

The rest of the day included classroom sessions with Dr. Jennifer Flynn Oody, Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Maryville College, and Dr. Andrew Gunnoe, Associate Professor of Sociology and Great Smokies Experience Coordinator (and the writer of these updates!).

The students wrapped up the day with an "urban hike" through downtown Maryville. Along the way, students explored how the built environment shapes our daily lives, examining the social and environmental issues embedded in everything from sidewalks and public spaces to housing, transportation, and local development.

Now we're keeping our fingers crossed that the forecasted rain doesn't disrupt our weekend plans!

07/10/2026

Great Smokies Experience 2026 officially kicked off today! This year, we’re excited to welcome 10 students from Ohio, Texas, Florida, and, of course, Tennessee.

Our first day included icebreaker activities with our Mountain Challenge staff, an introduction to the course with our program partners from Mountain Challenge and Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, and an evening capped off by roasting marshmallows around a campfire discussing Aldo Leopold’s classic essay, "The Land Ethic".

We're excited to finally have the entire crew together and can't wait for the adventures ahead over the next 12 days!

04/17/2026

We still have a few spots left! Come join us this July for a one-of-a-kind experience learning about social and environmental issues in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Address

502 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN
37804

Website

http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/gse, http://greatsmokiesexperience.com/

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The Blackbird Academy
2806 Azalea Place, Nashville

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