Devil's Backbone For Educators
  • A green caterpillar on a layer of grass.

    • Devil's Backbone Educator Programs

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

    Tennessee State Parks offers accessible, discovery-based educational experiences aligned with Tennessee’s academic standards. Devil’s Backbone State Park looks forward to offering educational experiences for students in the upcoming school year. Learn more below and submit your program request for the 2026-2027 school year.

    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

    Devil's Backbone State Park 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: 150 students 
      Cost: $0/student 

    • Built to Survive

      Students gather evidence from animal pelts, skulls, and images to explain survival traits, then classify animals using a flow chart. , School, 45 minutes, $2/student, Limit: 30

      Meets: 2.LS1.1-2 
      Location: School 
      Length: 45 minutes 
      Capacity: 30 students 
      Cost: $2/student 

    • Home is Where the Habitat Is

      Students use models to explore habitats, human environmental impact, and brainstorm solutions to protect land, water, air, and wildlife. Students. , School, 30 minutes, $0/student, Limit: 30

      Students: K.ESS3.1, KESS3.3
      Location: School 
      Length: 30 minutes 
      Capacity: 30 students 
      Cost: $0/student 

    • Camouflage Capture the Flag

      Students build food web models to trace energy flow, evaluate ecosystem roles, and explore organism responses to environmental changes.

      Meets: 4.LS2.1-2, 4.LS2.4
      Location: School  
      Length: 45 minutes 
      Capacity: 30 students 
      Cost: $2/student 

    • Web of Life

      Students explore trait variations in species using evidence and models to explain how differences support survival and reproduction in environments. , School, 60 minutes, $2/student, Limit: 30

      Meets: 5.LS4.1
      Location: School
      Length: 1 hour 
      Capacity: 30 students 
      Cost: $2/student 

    • A green caterpillar on a layer of grass.

    Planning Your Field Trip:

    School Outreach experiences will be available in classrooms and in schoolyards

    All requests must be submitted using the form below, a minimum of one month in advance

    Please include any requests for accessibility accommodations in the form

    The size of the group is limited to 30 students per program

     

     

    Why Tennessee State Parks?

    Our Rangers are experienced and knowledgeable in various subjects.

    Our programs support many Tennessee academic standards.

    Many programs can be modified for differing age groups and academic goals.

    Easily accessible lunch and parking.

    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 4 to 6 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, park program fees, and park shelter rentals. 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. 

    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.  

    Contact Information

    • Gina Hancock, Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Director
      gina.hancock@tnstateparksconservancy.org

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