Great Smokies Experience

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!

While snow and freezing temperatures linger here in East Tennessee, we’re looking ahead to sunny days, cool mountain streams, and unforgettable experiences when Great Smokies Experience takes place July 9–20, 2026.

Do you know a high school junior or senior who’s curious about the complex relationships between social and ecological systems? Do they enjoy hands-on learning and spending time outdoors? If so, this program could be a perfect fit.

The Great Smokies Experience is a credit-bearing, introductory college program coordinated by expert instructors from Maryville College, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, and Mountain Challenge. Students gain immersive, hands-on experience exploring environmental issues while kayaking the Little River, living in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, hiking to the summit of Mount Le Conte, and much more.

The application for Great Smokies Experience is now open. Please visit the link below to access the application, or to find more information about the program. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Great Smokies Experience The Great Smokies Experience is a credit-bearing introductory college experience that it coordinated by Maryville College, The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, and Mountain Challenge.

Well, that's a wrap folks! This morning the GSE 2025 crew took their final exam, enjoyed a Chic-fil-A lunch provided by Maryville College Admissions, and said goodbye to the friends they made over the past 12 days.

This truly was a special cohort. Each student brought their unique personality and insights to the experience, and we truly enjoyed watching them learn, struggle and grow through it all.

We would like to thank our partners at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and Mountain Challenge for their wonderful staff and educators who contribute so much to the success of this program.

Great Smokies Experience 2026 is scheduled to take place from July 9-20, 2026. If you know a rising Junior or Senior in High School or a recent graduate who might be interested, then send them our way.

Thanks for following along!

Yesterday the Great Smokies Experience crew climbed over 3,000 ft along the 11+ mile hike up the Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte. We were joined by Dr. Dave Unger, Associate Professor of Biology at Maryville College, who gave an extensive overview of the natural history of the GSMNP as we made the ascent.

The weather was perfect and we got to experience breathtaking views of the mountains as clouds made their way across the peaks. We also had the opportunity to celebrate another student birthday at the summit!

We were all sore and tired by the time we made it back to the trailhead, but smiles abounded as we soaked our weary feet in the cold mountain waters. What a day!

It was a beautiful day to explore the ecology of the high altitude spruce-fir forest on Kuwohi, the tallest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When we arrived the mountain was engulfed in clouds, but after a short while the sun burned off the cloud layer and revealed stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

The students learned all about this unique and fragile environment while walking along a stretch of the Appalachian Trail and climbing the observation tower at the peak of Kuwohi.

After lunch, the students were joined by a National Park Ranger to learn about the unique salamander species that thrive in these environments. The students found over 30 salamanders and learned all about how rangers monitor these forests in order assess their health and vitality. What a great day on Kuwohi!

Forests, waterfalls, and salamanders were the primary topics in yesterday's outdoor classroom in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Today we head to the high country to experience how elevation change creates distinct ecological communities with the park. Stay tuned!

After a final classroom session at Maryville College this morning, the crew packed their bags for the short drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), where they will be spend the next week at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

While at Tremont, the students will learn all about the ecology of the GSMNP as well as the various issues confronting park managers as they work to protect this biological hotspot. In the days to come they will travel to multiple locations across the park and experience all the beauty and magic of the Smokies.

Today the central theme was sustainability in the urban environment. In the morning students took the short walk along the newly renovated College Street corridor to visit the Maryville Farmers Market. Each student was provided a small stipend to be spent at the farmers market where they were encouraged to engage with the vendors and ask about their food, where it came from, and how it was produced. The goal was to make connections between the way our food is produced and how that relates to local social and environmental systems.

After the farmers market, we had lunch in Maryville College's recently renovated downtown center, where we had the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of one of our students.

This afternoon we headed to the Little River for some kayaking and swimming. The paddle down the Little River wasn't just to have fun and cool off; students also learned all about the Little River watershed and how a watershed perspective can tie people to community and place. They also learned about the work of the Little River Watershed Association and how local citizens can get involved in advocating for their local watersheds.

Everyone is headed back to campus to wash up and grab dinner before finishing the day with a wrap-up discussion of the day's topic.