Environmental Education Classes
Camp Wesley Woods offers a variety of classes designed to fit your group’s needs. Our classes are intended to offer students opportunities for experiential learning. We stress hands-on learning and use the surrounding environment whenever possible. Most of our classes are structured in 1 1/2 hour increments, which allows four classes in a day. We also offer 3 hour classes for activities that need more time such as the Challenge Course or Blueberry Trail hike.
1.5 Hour Classes
All About Animals: Camp Wesley Woods has an abundance of animal life from creek side to mountain side. In this class, students will have the opportunity to learn more about the habits and habitats found in this region. Through this activity they will discover the important
relationship between humans and other animals.
Birds: Have you ever wondered how a feather works or what is in an owl pellet? In this class students use a hands-on approach to answer these and other questions about birds. They may even get to meet some of our feathered friends.
Boating Safety: Our boating safety program stresses basic skills in small cr aft operation. Students learn paddling strokes, nomenclature, “rules of the road”, and helmsmanship of a canoe and minnow.
Cherokee History and Culture: Students will learn about the Cherokee Nation past and present including the Trail of Tears. This class will
touch on games, language, crafts and survival.
Compass Quest: Begin with the basics and become proficient with this important outdoor tool. Learn to design your own
orienteering course. May be combined with advanced orienteering for 3 hours.
Council of All Beings: Through a series of activities (including role playing and mask making) individuals will sit at a council of
all beings to represent different entities in nature. May be adapted to any age group.
Discovery Hike: What is a Wooly Adelgid? What is a Draw? What does our state tree look like? Students will hike the Big Beech
Way trail armed with discovery cards with which they must locate natural features along the way.
Crafts: Our crafts program ties together the natural world and our cultural her itage.
- Candle Making: Hand dipping candles as the pioneers did. Background on home lighting before electricity.
- Paper Making: Make your own paper.
- God’s Eyes: Use yarn and sticks to make a Native American symbol. (Your contributions of yarn are welcomed.)
- Weaving: Learn the basics of weaving. Depending on the age level, make a weaving on a paper loom, cardboard loom, or finger
weaving.
- Tie Dye: Using basic methods, children may design and dye T-shirts. Shirts or handkerchiefs must be provided by the individual and
should be white or light colored. The shirt should be washed ahead of time.
Falls Trail: This popular trail is an ideal short, easy hike with a lovely destination. Trail route is alongside Capshaw Branch to the
base of a 90 ft. falls. Forest ecology and face painting with rocks is taught along the hike. Round trip: 1 1/2 miles approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Geology - The Story of the Earth: What mighty forces shape our earth? What makes volcanoes and earthquakes? Our activities stress the “big picture” of rock formation, plate tectonics, mountain building, weathering and erosion. Students learn to identify several rocks and
minerals through a number of fun hands-on activities. (Grade 5 and up.)
New Games: Cooperation games for enjoyment together. Many have environmental themes. Equipment such as parachute and blindfold is provided. (Not suggested when Challenge Course is on your schedule.)
One Step at a Time: Environmental Project: Students will be taught that little things make a big difference and will have the
opportunity to participate in service projects to help the environment. Possibilities include erosion control/trail repair, cleaning up a section of the river, monitoring water quality, recycling, writing letters, and more. Let us choose a project that is appropriate for your
group and that is needed while you are here.
Orienteering: We feel the ability to read a topographical map is a vital and basic outdoor skill. Therefore, map-reading is stressed and
students are introduced to the compass. After a brief introduction we send the students out on an exciting orienteering route. The sport is fun, great exercise, and gives the students a practical application for their geography skills.
Introduction to Archery: Learn the history of the bow and arrow, and enjoy the sport of archery. Our young archers will participate in learning modern shooting techniques, safety,the different types of equipment available, and the fundamentals of archery. Every student gets to shoot. Tennis shoes or boots must be warn.
Stream Ecology: Water is a habitat for life. Students discover the organisms that live in streams and learn about their histories. They collect, examine, and replace with care whatever wildlife is found in the stream, lagoon, or river. We also look at our dependence on water, the problem of water pollution, the workings of the water cycle, and the importance of water to all life.
Touch the Earth Softly: Students will discuss what it means to touch the earth softly. This will include activities that focus on the
use of senses to better understand the natural world.
Trees of The Foothills Forest: Students will have the opportunity to learn how trees grow and prosper. The use of a tree identification key will be taught. Forest needs and threats will be discussed along with finding out where the biggest, tallest and most massive
trees live.
Understanding Creatures That Stink, Growl, Bite, and Hiss: During this class, students will focus on skunks, black bear, and snakes.Through a series of fun and interactive activities like: sniffing for food, running for shelter,tasting the air and more, the students will try to better understand these animal’s behavior. They may even meet our sssssssssssspecial guesssssssst.
Un-nature Trail: This is a short trail but a provocative activity. It is designed for the fun of discovery and it stimulates an awareness of
environmental pollution that exists around us everywhere. Problems of solid waste management are explored in a unique way.
Wesley Woods History and Tipton Trail: A discussion with historictools and other artifacts and a discussion about the early logging days on our Capshaw Branch.This is followed by a short interpretive hike into the history of the Capshaw Branch area. This short but steep trail crosses over a silt-filled reservoir used during earlier times at camp. Round trip 3/4 mile.
Wilderness Expressions: This class will provide opportunities for reflections on the wilderness experience. Students will be guided through a variety of activities in an outdoor setting and given opportunities for creative expression using art and different writing techniques such as poetry and prose. It is helpful for students to bring notebooks so that their work can be preserved.
relationship between humans and other animals.
Birds: Have you ever wondered how a feather works or what is in an owl pellet? In this class students use a hands-on approach to answer these and other questions about birds. They may even get to meet some of our feathered friends.
Boating Safety: Our boating safety program stresses basic skills in small cr aft operation. Students learn paddling strokes, nomenclature, “rules of the road”, and helmsmanship of a canoe and minnow.
Cherokee History and Culture: Students will learn about the Cherokee Nation past and present including the Trail of Tears. This class will
touch on games, language, crafts and survival.
Compass Quest: Begin with the basics and become proficient with this important outdoor tool. Learn to design your own
orienteering course. May be combined with advanced orienteering for 3 hours.
Council of All Beings: Through a series of activities (including role playing and mask making) individuals will sit at a council of
all beings to represent different entities in nature. May be adapted to any age group.
Discovery Hike: What is a Wooly Adelgid? What is a Draw? What does our state tree look like? Students will hike the Big Beech
Way trail armed with discovery cards with which they must locate natural features along the way.
Crafts: Our crafts program ties together the natural world and our cultural her itage.
- Candle Making: Hand dipping candles as the pioneers did. Background on home lighting before electricity.
- Paper Making: Make your own paper.
- God’s Eyes: Use yarn and sticks to make a Native American symbol. (Your contributions of yarn are welcomed.)
- Weaving: Learn the basics of weaving. Depending on the age level, make a weaving on a paper loom, cardboard loom, or finger
weaving.
- Tie Dye: Using basic methods, children may design and dye T-shirts. Shirts or handkerchiefs must be provided by the individual and
should be white or light colored. The shirt should be washed ahead of time.
Falls Trail: This popular trail is an ideal short, easy hike with a lovely destination. Trail route is alongside Capshaw Branch to the
base of a 90 ft. falls. Forest ecology and face painting with rocks is taught along the hike. Round trip: 1 1/2 miles approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Geology - The Story of the Earth: What mighty forces shape our earth? What makes volcanoes and earthquakes? Our activities stress the “big picture” of rock formation, plate tectonics, mountain building, weathering and erosion. Students learn to identify several rocks and
minerals through a number of fun hands-on activities. (Grade 5 and up.)
New Games: Cooperation games for enjoyment together. Many have environmental themes. Equipment such as parachute and blindfold is provided. (Not suggested when Challenge Course is on your schedule.)
One Step at a Time: Environmental Project: Students will be taught that little things make a big difference and will have the
opportunity to participate in service projects to help the environment. Possibilities include erosion control/trail repair, cleaning up a section of the river, monitoring water quality, recycling, writing letters, and more. Let us choose a project that is appropriate for your
group and that is needed while you are here.
Orienteering: We feel the ability to read a topographical map is a vital and basic outdoor skill. Therefore, map-reading is stressed and
students are introduced to the compass. After a brief introduction we send the students out on an exciting orienteering route. The sport is fun, great exercise, and gives the students a practical application for their geography skills.
Introduction to Archery: Learn the history of the bow and arrow, and enjoy the sport of archery. Our young archers will participate in learning modern shooting techniques, safety,the different types of equipment available, and the fundamentals of archery. Every student gets to shoot. Tennis shoes or boots must be warn.
Stream Ecology: Water is a habitat for life. Students discover the organisms that live in streams and learn about their histories. They collect, examine, and replace with care whatever wildlife is found in the stream, lagoon, or river. We also look at our dependence on water, the problem of water pollution, the workings of the water cycle, and the importance of water to all life.
Touch the Earth Softly: Students will discuss what it means to touch the earth softly. This will include activities that focus on the
use of senses to better understand the natural world.
Trees of The Foothills Forest: Students will have the opportunity to learn how trees grow and prosper. The use of a tree identification key will be taught. Forest needs and threats will be discussed along with finding out where the biggest, tallest and most massive
trees live.
Understanding Creatures That Stink, Growl, Bite, and Hiss: During this class, students will focus on skunks, black bear, and snakes.Through a series of fun and interactive activities like: sniffing for food, running for shelter,tasting the air and more, the students will try to better understand these animal’s behavior. They may even meet our sssssssssssspecial guesssssssst.
Un-nature Trail: This is a short trail but a provocative activity. It is designed for the fun of discovery and it stimulates an awareness of
environmental pollution that exists around us everywhere. Problems of solid waste management are explored in a unique way.
Wesley Woods History and Tipton Trail: A discussion with historictools and other artifacts and a discussion about the early logging days on our Capshaw Branch.This is followed by a short interpretive hike into the history of the Capshaw Branch area. This short but steep trail crosses over a silt-filled reservoir used during earlier times at camp. Round trip 3/4 mile.
Wilderness Expressions: This class will provide opportunities for reflections on the wilderness experience. Students will be guided through a variety of activities in an outdoor setting and given opportunities for creative expression using art and different writing techniques such as poetry and prose. It is helpful for students to bring notebooks so that their work can be preserved.
3 Hour Classes
Blueberry Trail: This hike is for the more adventuresome classes (5th grade and up).The trail is steep, narrow, and winding, but
leads through spectacular forests to lofty overlooks and through famous “Gorgeous Gorge”. Forest ecology is taught along the hike. Round trip - approximately 3 miles, 3 hrs.
Climbing Wall & Tower: (4th Grade + Up) A different opportunity for students to learn the fundamentals of climbing and experience the thrill of reaching the top. Students are encouraged to push and expand their comfort zone. Some schools decide to have a teacher or two attend a three hour, weekend belay school, free of charge, here at Camp Wesley Woods prior to their visit. This will enable the school to provide their own second belayer without the additional f ee, and thus allowing their students more climbing time. Please call For more details.
High Orienteering: This includes the introductory landmark based course (page 10). Followed by a longer, more challenging course up on the mountain in which students will have to use a compass and natural landmarks to navigate through the mountain forests. For 7th grade and up.
Chestnut Trail: This hike, both interesting and fairly strenuous at times, leads slowly along the north slope of Camp Wesley Woods’ water shed through an oak, hickory , and “old chestnut” forest. Forest ecology is taught along the hike. Round trip 2 miles, approximately 3 hrs.
Team Challenge Course: Group initiative activities involving safe but challenging problem-solving elements. Excellent for the first of
your week and is a cooperation and trust builder. Students are encouraged to take a leadership role and soon realize the importance of good communication patience and perseverance. Grades 4 and up suggested but negotiable.
Mountain Stream Study: It's time to compare! We will do a macroinvertebrate indicator study along with pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and other water quality testing on the Little River at Wesley Landing. After we gather the data we will head into the National Park to the Little River at the Townsend Y to do it all again and compare the results.
Wilderness Survival: With an emphasis on prevention, students learn the do’s and don’ts of entering the wilderness. Our staff will
teach how to acquire food, water, shelter, and heat from the woods. Some basic first aid and basic map and compass reading will also be covered.
All Day Hike: Class will begin at 9 AM and last until 4:30 PM. Group will carry lunches in packs. (Day packs are handy for any type of hiking.) Several of the choices from the 1 1/2 or 3 hour courses may be included. We will help you design the class for your needs. Forest ecology will be taught along the hike.
leads through spectacular forests to lofty overlooks and through famous “Gorgeous Gorge”. Forest ecology is taught along the hike. Round trip - approximately 3 miles, 3 hrs.
Climbing Wall & Tower: (4th Grade + Up) A different opportunity for students to learn the fundamentals of climbing and experience the thrill of reaching the top. Students are encouraged to push and expand their comfort zone. Some schools decide to have a teacher or two attend a three hour, weekend belay school, free of charge, here at Camp Wesley Woods prior to their visit. This will enable the school to provide their own second belayer without the additional f ee, and thus allowing their students more climbing time. Please call For more details.
High Orienteering: This includes the introductory landmark based course (page 10). Followed by a longer, more challenging course up on the mountain in which students will have to use a compass and natural landmarks to navigate through the mountain forests. For 7th grade and up.
Chestnut Trail: This hike, both interesting and fairly strenuous at times, leads slowly along the north slope of Camp Wesley Woods’ water shed through an oak, hickory , and “old chestnut” forest. Forest ecology is taught along the hike. Round trip 2 miles, approximately 3 hrs.
Team Challenge Course: Group initiative activities involving safe but challenging problem-solving elements. Excellent for the first of
your week and is a cooperation and trust builder. Students are encouraged to take a leadership role and soon realize the importance of good communication patience and perseverance. Grades 4 and up suggested but negotiable.
Mountain Stream Study: It's time to compare! We will do a macroinvertebrate indicator study along with pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and other water quality testing on the Little River at Wesley Landing. After we gather the data we will head into the National Park to the Little River at the Townsend Y to do it all again and compare the results.
Wilderness Survival: With an emphasis on prevention, students learn the do’s and don’ts of entering the wilderness. Our staff will
teach how to acquire food, water, shelter, and heat from the woods. Some basic first aid and basic map and compass reading will also be covered.
All Day Hike: Class will begin at 9 AM and last until 4:30 PM. Group will carry lunches in packs. (Day packs are handy for any type of hiking.) Several of the choices from the 1 1/2 or 3 hour courses may be included. We will help you design the class for your needs. Forest ecology will be taught along the hike.
Evening Programs
Camp Fire: The mountains are rich in songs and tales. Sit back enjoy the campfire while listening to stories and singing songs.
The Beast: The students work in their trail groups to construct a tabletop Beast while communicating through a chain of participants.
Excellent team building activity.
Black Bear: A slide presentation on the life of the most popular animal in the Smokeys. The program is conducted by graduate
students and bear researchers from the University of Tennessee. The talk is very appealing to all ages.
Nighttime Astronomy: A chance to study the heavens through powerful telescopes with experts from the University of Tennessee. Slides are available for inclement weather.
Enviro-Jeopardy: Take part in an Environmental Jeopardy Game. Students will divide into teams during this interactive night program to
test their environmental awareness.
Folk Dance:Students will be culturally enriched as they dance to the rhythms of tunes from throughout the world.
Lorax: Chose this beloved story and watch the Wesley Woods Staff organize your class into an interactive play. Bring the video camera, this class will be worth watching again.
Tire Swing: Students take turns at being secured to our new tire swing by way of a safety harness. All other students pull together to raise he or she approximately 15 feet in to the air. When ready, the elevated student pulls a rip cord and enjoys the ride. This activity is best for smaller school groups. 3rd grade and up. Best done before daylight savings time change in fall.
Rocket Fire: As a team the students will build, decorate, and fire their water rockets. This activity is best with smaller schools and must be done during daylight savings time for longer daylight hours in the evenings.
Magical Earth: Students will hear different environmental messages while being wowed with illusion by professional magician Tom Vorjohan. Very entertaining! A $200 fee is required for this 1 hour presentation.
Night Hike: Students are led on a night hike into a safe but stimulating area to experience the sounds and feelings of the darkness
and to attempt to talk to some of the night’s most wonderful creatures - owls!
Light Hike: If the night hike isn’t for your students, and you know they’d do better with a flashlight in hand then this ‘Light
Hike’ is for you. Students are led safely into the woods after dark (following our usual Night Hike paths) . Then with their own flashlights in hand, will seek out and learn of all that was hidden by the cover of darkness. Please take daylight savings time into consideration before selecting this activity.
Reptiles and Amphibians: A fascinating program about some of our most misunderstood but valuable fellow creatures. Some live examples will be presented for great visual learning.
Skit Night: Wesley Woods staff will help your group by providing themes and the opportunity to show your talent. We will also
organize the skits.
Storytelling: Wesley Woods has available several choices for storytellers.
The Beast: The students work in their trail groups to construct a tabletop Beast while communicating through a chain of participants.
Excellent team building activity.
Black Bear: A slide presentation on the life of the most popular animal in the Smokeys. The program is conducted by graduate
students and bear researchers from the University of Tennessee. The talk is very appealing to all ages.
Nighttime Astronomy: A chance to study the heavens through powerful telescopes with experts from the University of Tennessee. Slides are available for inclement weather.
Enviro-Jeopardy: Take part in an Environmental Jeopardy Game. Students will divide into teams during this interactive night program to
test their environmental awareness.
Folk Dance:Students will be culturally enriched as they dance to the rhythms of tunes from throughout the world.
Lorax: Chose this beloved story and watch the Wesley Woods Staff organize your class into an interactive play. Bring the video camera, this class will be worth watching again.
Tire Swing: Students take turns at being secured to our new tire swing by way of a safety harness. All other students pull together to raise he or she approximately 15 feet in to the air. When ready, the elevated student pulls a rip cord and enjoys the ride. This activity is best for smaller school groups. 3rd grade and up. Best done before daylight savings time change in fall.
Rocket Fire: As a team the students will build, decorate, and fire their water rockets. This activity is best with smaller schools and must be done during daylight savings time for longer daylight hours in the evenings.
Magical Earth: Students will hear different environmental messages while being wowed with illusion by professional magician Tom Vorjohan. Very entertaining! A $200 fee is required for this 1 hour presentation.
Night Hike: Students are led on a night hike into a safe but stimulating area to experience the sounds and feelings of the darkness
and to attempt to talk to some of the night’s most wonderful creatures - owls!
Light Hike: If the night hike isn’t for your students, and you know they’d do better with a flashlight in hand then this ‘Light
Hike’ is for you. Students are led safely into the woods after dark (following our usual Night Hike paths) . Then with their own flashlights in hand, will seek out and learn of all that was hidden by the cover of darkness. Please take daylight savings time into consideration before selecting this activity.
Reptiles and Amphibians: A fascinating program about some of our most misunderstood but valuable fellow creatures. Some live examples will be presented for great visual learning.
Skit Night: Wesley Woods staff will help your group by providing themes and the opportunity to show your talent. We will also
organize the skits.
Storytelling: Wesley Woods has available several choices for storytellers.
Programs In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cades Cove: (Whole or half day)
- Cemetery Activities: These may be conducted at any of the cemeteries in the Cove. There are cemeteries at the three churches, as well
as the smaller, family cemeteries. Activities include interpretation of family life and study of cultural history.
- Pioneer Dwellings: There are several sites that may be visited. Beautiful sites with outbuildings, and different types of architecture are
perfect settings for discussions of pioneer life. At Cable Mill there is a working grist mill, a visitors center (April - October), a home,
barns and a blacksmith shop.
Clingmans Dome: (Whole day) This trip through the heart of the Smokys has been compared to driving north into Canada, experiencing
the forest diversity and changes along the way. There is an opportunity to walk a short distance along the Appalachian Trail, to see first hand, damage done to high elevation trees by air pollution and insects.
Little Greenbrier: (Whole or half day) Half day visit: Students learn first hand about the days of the one-room schoolhouse, the customs of the pioneer families, and the history of the area.
Whole Day Visit: Includes all of the above, plus a hike to theWalker Sisters’ Cabin for pioneer study, followed by a hike over the mountain to Wears Valley. (This can also be done in a half day, but is a little more physically taxing).
White Oak Sinks Hike: (Whole or half day) Students will experiencethe challenge of an easy to moderate 4 mile round trip hike into a massive sunken valley.The hike will take students past old pioneer ruins, a 60 foot water fall that disappears into a cave, and seasonal wild flowers. Students will experience the geologic and plant diversity, and the historical remains of a pioneer settlement in the Smoky Mountains all confined in a 3/4 mile area. Schools with trail groups of 14 or more persons (including adults) will need to have additional transportation.
- Cemetery Activities: These may be conducted at any of the cemeteries in the Cove. There are cemeteries at the three churches, as well
as the smaller, family cemeteries. Activities include interpretation of family life and study of cultural history.
- Pioneer Dwellings: There are several sites that may be visited. Beautiful sites with outbuildings, and different types of architecture are
perfect settings for discussions of pioneer life. At Cable Mill there is a working grist mill, a visitors center (April - October), a home,
barns and a blacksmith shop.
Clingmans Dome: (Whole day) This trip through the heart of the Smokys has been compared to driving north into Canada, experiencing
the forest diversity and changes along the way. There is an opportunity to walk a short distance along the Appalachian Trail, to see first hand, damage done to high elevation trees by air pollution and insects.
Little Greenbrier: (Whole or half day) Half day visit: Students learn first hand about the days of the one-room schoolhouse, the customs of the pioneer families, and the history of the area.
Whole Day Visit: Includes all of the above, plus a hike to theWalker Sisters’ Cabin for pioneer study, followed by a hike over the mountain to Wears Valley. (This can also be done in a half day, but is a little more physically taxing).
White Oak Sinks Hike: (Whole or half day) Students will experiencethe challenge of an easy to moderate 4 mile round trip hike into a massive sunken valley.The hike will take students past old pioneer ruins, a 60 foot water fall that disappears into a cave, and seasonal wild flowers. Students will experience the geologic and plant diversity, and the historical remains of a pioneer settlement in the Smoky Mountains all confined in a 3/4 mile area. Schools with trail groups of 14 or more persons (including adults) will need to have additional transportation.
