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While it’s been a moment since our last second campus update, that doesn’t mean momentum has stopped. Quite the opposite – we’re moving forward with design development and laying the groundwork for a new era of programs launching in 2026.
One of the most exciting parts of this process has been imagining new ways people might connect with nature. While we’ll always stay rooted in the hands-on experiences that make Tremont special – summer camps, field trips, naturalist courses – we’re also reaching outward. We’re exploring how art, writing, music, and regional culture can help more people discover their own relationship with the natural world.
This year has already given us a few glimpses of what that could look like. In September, we hosted Plein Air Smokies, bringing 19 nationally renowned artists to the Smokies for a week of open-air painting. The event not only raised funds for Tremont’s programs but also demonstrated how creativity can open new doors to connection. Each painting invited us to slow down, notice the details, and find wonder in familiar places.
Last week, we continued that theme with the Tremont Writers Conference, where a cohort of writers spent five days learning from established authors – David Joy, Maurice Manning, Crystal Wilkinson, and Karen Spears Zacharias. Between writing sessions, they explored the outdoors with Tremont educators to discover how the natural world can shape stories and inspire creativity.
Seeing people show up for these programs has been so rewarding. It’s a reminder that there isn’t just one path to connecting with nature. Some people connect through a microscope, others through a paintbrush, a journal, or a song – but at the heart of it all is that same spark of curiosity and care for this incredible place.
As we look toward our second campus, we’re carrying that same spirit of exploration into new types of programming. In 2026, Tremont will host Seasons of Connection – a new series of single-day, hands-on workshops for adult learners, led by Tremont’s expert educators.
Each class offers a chance to learn, explore, and build new relationships with the land. Topics include Forest Stewardship, Wayfinding, Survival Skills, and Seasonal Rhythms – all brand-new additions to Tremont’s lineup. These workshops not only offer participants an early experience of the property but will also help shape future offerings as we continue to grow. (Registration is already open – if one of these classes sparks your interest, we’d love for you to join us.)
The second campus represents so much more than new buildings or programs. It’s a space where lifelong learning, creativity, and care for the natural world come together – where every season brings new ways to connect. The possibilities are endless, and we’re just getting started.
Catey McClary
President & CEO
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
