TRACKING AND NATURE OBSERVATION
Every clue or sign that an animal leaves behind is a track. Tracking is an ancient skill, but for us it can be a new language. It is a way to be more aware, to experience, and see much more in the woods. We don’t have to see the animals to tell they were there, what they were doing, and when they may come back. We will learn their stories from the traces they have left behind. Slow down, look closely, ask questions, and accept the challenge of tracking in the Smokies. You’ll be surprised at what you may find! Instructor: Wanda DeWaard, M.S., recreation and environmental education, is an outdoor educator who has shared Earth Kinship and Environmental Awareness programs with community groups, schools, colleges, camps, nature centers, and teacher conferences since 1974. Anything and everything in the natural world brings out her enthusiasm and contagious sense of fun.
This course is no longer available. Please select another course.
Fee: $49
Sun., March 22, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont parking lot.)
INTRODUCTION TO ORIENTEERING
In the simplest terms, orienteering is the process of using a map and compass to travel from one place to another. Traditionally, orienteering has been associated with competitive events where participants race cross country with map and compass to find targets in the shortest period of time. Through lectures, classroom activities, and field exercises, you will learn the fundamental skills of both competitive and wilderness orienteering. Instructor: Neal Buckingham has more than 15 years of experience in training civilian and military groups in land navigation, orienteering, and search and rescue techniques.
This course is no longer available. Please select another course.
Fee: $49
Sat., March 28, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
ADVANCED WILDERNESS ORIENTEERING
If you have some outdoor and/or orienteering experience, here’s a chance to get in-depth instruction on using a map and compass to navigate in remote areas. Lectures and classroom exercises will emphasize the advanced aspects of map reading, using an orienteering compass, declination, route projection, and improvisation. Practical field exercises will enable you to learn first-hand how to navigate from one point to another in the wilderness. Prerequisite: Introduction to
Orienteering. Instructor: Neal Buckingham.
This course is no longer available. Please select another course.
Fee: $49
Sun., March 29, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet at amphitheater at Cades Cove.)
BASIC VISUAL TRACKING
Visual tracking is one of many methods available to locate missing persons. The participant will be introduced to several skills involved with tracking and locating persons in an out-of-door, or “wildland” situation. These include utilizing clues and “signs” left by the person being tracked, as well as times of day, weather, and terrain. It is not presented as a solution to finding lost persons, but as a “tool” when properly used will enhance success. The immediate goal of basic visual tracking is to attempt to determine the direction of travel of the person(s) being sought. Basic use of the tracking stick and basic equipment needed will be demonstrated. Instructor: Joe Kelley served as a National Park Ranger for more than 30 years, mainly in the Great Smokies and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Special assignments nationwide have included major disasters, forest fires, search and rescue incidents, the National Park Service’s Special Events Team, and instructor of national interagency emergency and incident management training.
This course is no longer available. Please select another course.
Fee: $49
Sat., June 20, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
INTRODUCTION TO SEARCH & RESCUE MANAGEMENT
This workshop is an introduction to the management skills involved in conducting land search and rescue operations. It involves the use of the National Incident Command System used by the majority of land managing agencies. “Table Top” searches will be completed by teams in a classroom environment. Instructor: Joe Kelley served as a National Park Ranger for more than 30 years, mainly in the Great Smokies and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Special assignments nationwide have included major disasters, forest fires, search and rescue incidents, the National Park Service’s Special Events Team, and instructor of national interagency emergency and incident management training.
This course is no longer available. Please select another course.
Fee: $49
Sat., July 25, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
INTRODUCTION TO MAP & COMPASS
This course includes an introduction to the use of a forester's compass and a basic understanding of reading a topographical map as used by land managing agencies for control and management of emergency incidents. This will be done through lecture, classroom activity, and outdoor exercise. Instructor: Joe Kelley served as a National Park Ranger for more than 30 years, mainly in the Great Smokies and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Special assignments nationwide have included major disasters, forest fires, search and rescue incidents, the National Park Service’s Special Events Team, and instructor of national interagency emergency and incident management training.
Register now: COURSE #09FA893
Fee: $49
Sat., Sept. 19, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
ADVANCED USE OF MAP & COMPASS
This course serves as an in-depth instruction of map and compass skills by incorporating the use of the forester's compass and the 7.5 topgraphical map series of the U.S.G.S. to conduct a simulator multi-agency search and rescue exercise in basically a "table top" format. The team approach will be used. Prerequisite: Introduction to
Map & Compass. Instructor: Joe Kelley.
Register now: COURSE #09FA896
Fee: $49
Sun., Sept. 20, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
This apple denotes Knox County Teacher Center approval for in-service credit.
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