Cove Lake For Educators
  • Sunny lakeside view framed by lush greenery and reflected mountains.
    • Book Now

    Cove Lake Educator Programs 

    Want a fun way to get your students excited about learning? Why not learn with a Park Ranger?

    Tennessee State Parks offer accessible, discovery-based educational experiences aligned with Tennessee’s academic standards. Choose a program for your class, plan your day at a park, and request an experience today.

    Our Programs

      • Elderly man and children examining footprints in sand tray outdoors.

      Field Trips 

      • Group of children listening to a man outdoors near a tree.

      School Outreach 

      • Group of children walking on a forest trail.

      Self-guided/Teacher-led

    Cove Lake Programs 

    • Meet a Ranger

      Who are Rangers? What do they do? Find out! It takes skill, knowledge, experience, and education to be a Park Ranger. Join us today to explore a day in the life of a Tennessee State Park Ranger!   

      Location: Park or school   
      Grade Level: All grade levels   
      Length: 30 minutes   
      Capacity: 50 students   
      Cost: $0/student   

    • Beavers

      Come meet nature's engineers — beavers! While searching for evidence of beavers' expert building skills and discussing beaver behaviors, students will learn the important role beavers play in the ecosystem, including how they affect the physical characteristics of their habitat. 

      Meets: 4.ESS2.3 

      Location: Park or school   
      Grade Level: All grade levels   
      Length: 45 minutes   
      Capacity: 25 students   
      Cost: $0/student   

    • FBI Hike

      Time to put your thinking caps on! Through investigating humans' environmental impacts, students will learn about the connection between humans and nature as well as how to better care for the environment. 

      Meets: 3.ESS3.1 

      Location: Park or school   
      Grade Level: All grade levels   
      Length: 45 minutes   
      Capacity: 25 students   
      Cost: $0/student   

    How to Request a Program 

    Program requests use the same form whether you are requesting funding support or not. Once you have submitted the form, allow 10 days for processing. Request educational program experiences at least four to six weeks in advance of the desired time frame for the program.   

    To complete the form:   

    • 1.

      Choose the park.

      Explore our parks to find the park that has the right location and program available for your needs. You can request more than one park and more than one program.

    • 2.

      Identify the type of program(s) of interest.  

      You are not limited to just one program. When completing the application, provide us the list of specific programs you are interested in. 

    • 3.

      Complete the form.

      Fill out our program request form and submit. Once submitted, allow 10 days for processing.

    Request a Program

    Funding Assistance

    Field trip funding may be available to remove barriers to participation.

    The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy (501-C3) assists schools in covering the costs of scheduled programs at a Tennessee State Park. Funds can cover bus transportation costs and park program fees. Partial funds may be awarded. Awards are given after the field trip is completed.    

    When applying for a program, select “yes” on the application form if you are interested in receiving funding support.  

    Download PDF

    What’s Next?  

    Submitting the form begins the scheduling and funding process.

    The request will be in Pending status until confirmed. Allow 10 days for processing. A park staff member will email confirmation of the program and notify you of any park-related fees.    

    If you requested funding, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Director will email the decision to award or deny funding. Funding is processed after the program as a reimbursement. Partial funds may be awarded. In this case, the school will be responsible for any costs above the amount written in the award email.

    Submitting for Funding Reimbursement 

    To receive reimbursement, you must provide the following documentation:  

    1. Bus invoice
    2. Park invoice
    3. Photos
    4. Number of students new to any Tennessee State Park
    5. Student and teacher feedback
    Apply for Reimbursement

    Accessibility: We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including those with disabilities, to engage fully.   

    Become a Tennessee Conservationist

    Escape into the stories and insider information about the history and cultures in Tennessee with the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks. Become a Tennessee Conservationist by subscribing today.  

    Subscribe