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 experience in training civilian and military groups in land navigation, orienteering, and search and rescue techniques.
COURSE #282867 FEE: $49
Sat., March 15, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
COURSE #291867 FEE: $49
Sat., Sept. 13, 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.
COURSE #282867-1 FEE: $49
Sun., March 16, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet at amphitheater at Cades Cove.)
COURSE #291867-1 FEE: $49
Sun., Sept. 14, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet at amphitheater at Cades Cove.)
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, environmental centers, and teacher conferences since 1974. Anything and everything in the natural world brings out her enthusiasm and contagious sense of fun.
COURSE #282892 FEE: $49
Sun., March 30, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet at Abrams Fall trailhead parking lot.)
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 & rescue incidents, the National Park Service’s Special Events Team, and instructor of national interagency emergency and incident management training.
COURSE #284959 FEE: $49
Sat., June 21, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
INTRODUCTION TO SEARCH AND 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 & rescue incidents, the National Park Service’s Special Events Team, and instructor of national interagency emergency and incident management training.
COURSE #284956 FEE: $49
Sat., July 26, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
The apple denotes Knox County Teacher Center approval for in-service credit.
Question? E-mail us at Smoky@utk.edu