2006 National Outdoor Recreation and Rural Tourism Consortium
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
by
Paige Adlich & La-Recia Aldridge
Murray State University Undergraduate Students


From September 3rd-9th, 2006 we attended the National Outdoor Recreation & Rural Tourism Consortium at the Tremont Institute in the Smoky Mountains. The 3-credit hour course proved to be a very valuable learning experience because we participating in various activities in several locations within and just outside the most visited national park in the United States. We learned a great deal about topics such as the history of the Cherokee people, the history and interpretation of Cades Cove, rural tourism related to gateway communities such as Pigeon Forge, as well as cultural and natural resources associated with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Being that this was a college course we also had to attend daily lectures. We saw some very beautiful scenery and had the chance to meet students from other participating schools such as: Virginia Commonwealth, Eastern Illinois, and Middle Tennessee State. We never thought that we would meet so many fascinating people. We learned a lot about the other students and their schools as well as ourselves.

While participating in the Consortium, we toured a lot of great places such as the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where we went whitewater rafting. This was quite an amazing adventure and probably our favorite activity of the whole week. We also went to the amusement park called Dollywood and Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge, which included a dinner theatre, art and educational museum with all sorts of fun games and activities.

The Smoky Mountains were very extraordinary. This course allowed us the opportunity to experience, study and learn valuable information that has changed the way we see ourselves and others. We really learned to appreciate the mountains. Because there wasn’t any cell phone service, people had to make adjustments. All we had was each other to rely on and confide in which brought about a lot of new bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Although this course lasted only a week, we were actively engaged from sun up to sun down. It was relaxing, refreshing, and stress-free compared to our hectic daily lives back at school. This consortium was a great opportunity, and had a great impact on our lives. It was a fun and memorable experience that we can always look back on. If we had to do it all over again, we wouldn’t change a thing!