Last summer, 10-year-old Emma traded in her tablet for a butterfly net, swapped her flip-flops for hiking boots, and spent a week discovering the magic of nature at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont’s Discovery Camp.
Emma had always loved animals, but her adventures had mostly been through books and nature documentaries, until she arrived at camp. Within hours, she was knee-deep in a clear mountain stream, flipping rocks to find tiny, wriggling creatures she’d never seen before. “These are macroinvertebrates,” her instructor explained. “They tell us that this stream is clean and the ecosystem is healthy!” In that moment, science came to life—not in a textbook, but in her hands.
More Than Just a Camp—A Journey into the Wild
Nestled in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tremont’s overnight summer camps are a true immersion into nature. While some summer camps offer nature walks, Tremont takes campers into a living laboratory, where the mountains, forests, and streams become their classroom.
For Emma, that meant waking up to mist rising over the mountains, the sounds of songbirds in the trees, and days full of hands-on adventure. Her mornings were spent exploring microhabitats for Smokies wildlife, afternoons swimming in the refreshing Middle Prong, and evenings gathered around the campfire, listening to stories beneath a sky filled with stars.
And the best part? She never once missed WiFi.
Where Learning is an Adventure
Parents love Tremont because it blends education with adventure in a way that makes learning feel like play. Emma wasn’t just told about ecosystems; she stepped into one, observing salamanders, spotting bear tracks, and using a field guide to identify different trees. She and her campmates worked together to build a debris shelter, learning wilderness survival skills, and at night, they trekked through the woods using only their natural night vision.
Discovery Camp is designed specifically for campers ages 9-12, a time when kids are bursting with curiosity and ready to take on new challenges. It’s the perfect age to foster a love of the outdoors, before distractions take over and schedules get packed with obligations.
Tremont understands what truly sparks curiosity in kids. Their instructors aren’t just teachers; they’re naturalists, explorers, and storytellers who turn a simple walk in the woods into a quest for discovery. They are trained to help kids imagine new possibilities and step out of their comfort zones, all while maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.
For many campers, it’s also their first time away from home overnight, making it a friendly introduction to independence. Campers sleep in rustic dorms, eat family-style meals, and spend their days exploring, creating, and growing.
An Adventure for Every Explorer
If your child isn’t quite the right age for Discovery Camp, don’t worry! Tremont offers summer camps for ages 4-17 (and sometimes their adults), each designed to spark wonder in the great outdoors.
Younger adventurers (ages 4-9) can experience the magic of nature with a parent at Smoky Mountain Family Camp, or practice overnight adventures during 1, 2, or 3-nights of Firefly Camp.
For budding scientists, Girls in Science gives young women (ages 12-15) a chance to work alongside female scientists, conduct real research, and build confidence in STEM. Offered on a sliding scale, this camp is designed to be accessible at a time when many girls begin to feel excluded from science.
Older campers can take their adventures even further with Backcountry Ecological Expeditions, Wilderness Adventure Trek, or Teen High Adventure, where they backpack into the Smokies for an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and outdoor skills.
No matter the age or interest, Tremont has a camp that will challenge, inspire, and create lifelong memories.
A Summer They’ll Never Forget
By the time Emma’s week at Discovery Camp ended, she had muddy shoes, a knack for spotting salamanders, and a head full of curious questions. She left with new friendships, a deeper appreciation for nature, and a newfound confidence in herself.
She’s already counting down the days until next summer.
Tremont’s summer camps fill quickly, and spots are limited. Give your child the gift of adventure this summer. Learn more and register at gsmit.org/summer-camp!
