Tremont smells like mountains, rivers, and peace. It’s the kind of place where the soundtrack is wind through the trees, the rush of water over rocks, and laughter drifting from the porch. Time here moves differently—every moment ending with an ish—and you quickly learn that the only place worth being is right where your feet are.

Sleeping in the same rooms with people you barely knew a few days ago somehow weaves a community together. Family-style meals do more than feed your body—they invite conversation, encourage patience, and create the kind of character that comes from passing the potatoes and waiting your turn for dessert. (best chocolate chip cookies ever)

Here, we walk the same paths where the Cherokee once walked—and still walk today—and we listen, learn, and carry their stories with us. That kind of learning builds compassion. And when you are surrounded by a bigger community of people—campers, rangers, volunteers—who are all doing their best to be good humans, it builds something the world always needs more of: hope.

As John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” We came here seeking connection, learning, and adventure—but we’re leaving with friendships, perspective, and a deep gratitude for the Smokies.
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Thank you, Great Smoky Mountains, for grounding us, growing us, and reminding us of the beauty of simply being present. See you next summer.

​​What a day in the Smokies! We kicked things off with a beautiful trip to Cades Cove, where Volunteer Tom (our favorite Primitive Baptist Church storyteller—three years running!) brought history to life in a way only he can. From there, we met up with Ranger Sarah at Cable Mill, who swore everyone in as official Junior Rangers. Lunch under the big shade tree felt like a picnic out of a storybook, and exploring the cabins and grist mill gave us a real taste of pioneer life.

Back at camp, the adventure dove—literally—under the surface. River snorkeling revealed an entire hidden world of fascinating creatures that call the water home. Tonight, we wrapped it all up with a hilarious and surprisingly educational “scat chat,” followed by an unforgettable campfire with Annie and Kathleen.
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If we had to rate Tremont, it’s an easy 10/10. Tomorrow comes the hard part… saying goodbye.

​Today was one of those days that packs a whole week’s worth of adventure into the span of a few hours.
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We kicked off the morning with our shelter building challenge—but there was a twist. Every person who helped build had to fit inside their creation. Let’s just say teamwork, laughter, and a few questionable construction techniques were all part of the blueprint.

From there, we braved a downpour on Girl Scout Island to solve our Animal Mysteries. Campers worked in small teams to untangle the clues—using animal tracks, signs, and patterns to figure out who had been there before us. The rain didn’t slow them down—it just made the mystery feel a little more real.

After lunch, we shifted into tree science mode, investigating growth patterns by measuring the branches at each scar and creating data sets to represent our findings. Then it was time for a pollinator deep dive, where we explored why teaching students about pollinators is critical—not just for science, but for our planet’s future.

Free time brought two very different choices:
🌲 Some campers hit the waterfall trail and spotted more bears—singing “Happy Birthday” loudly to make sure they kept their distance.
📸 Others… well, they staged full retro high school photo shoots in the water, complete with awkward poses that will live forever in our memories (and possibly haunt our dreams).

The evening was packed: painting in small tins, learning the medicinal uses of Cherokee plants and herbs, and even practicing hunting skills with blow darts. We closed the night under the stars, chasing and tracking bats as they darted across the dark sky.
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Tremont never disappoints—today proved it once again.

All aboard! Today we hopped on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a 3.5-hour ride through one of the most unique national parks in the country. As the train rolled past wetlands, forests, and that famously "crooked river," our group was on the lookout—scavenger hunt clues in hand and curiosity leading the way. From eagle sightings to canal-era history, this ride was more than scenic—it was STEAM in motion.

The afternoon brought a mix of trail time and down time. Some campers hit the trails for short hikes and sketch walks, while others found a quiet patch of shade for journaling, recharging, and a little deer-watching. (We’re convinced the wildlife here is on the welcoming committee.)

This evening, our Belly Botany investigations bloomed into collaborative projects as groups of three worked together to explore plant life... from a slightly different angle. Add in some microclimate observations, and we had ourselves a full-on science soirée in the meadow.

The film Out There continues to spark reflection, wonder, and conversations around purpose and place. Tonight, we also welcomed Melina, an intern from the Conservancy, to our circle. She’s already dreaming of joining us for STEAM in the PARK next summer—and honestly, we’re saving her a seat.

Now… about those sneaky campers trying to get me to reveal the last few camp locations for 2026—A+ for effort and creativity. Will I cave? Not likely. (Or maybe just one more… stay tuned.)

This crew is learning, connecting, and showing up with so much joy. ​