Norris Dam For Educators
Notification Alert
Campgrounds Closed for Renovations
The East and West Campgrounds are currently closed for renovation with an intended reopening in 2026.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Trailhead Temporarily Closed Due to Construction
Due to construction associated with the campground renovation on the west side of the park, the trailhead at the Canteen Camp Store is currently inaccessible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and please contact the park office if you have any questions.
Norris Dam 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
-
Field Trips
-
School Outreach
-
Self-guided/Teacher-led
Norris Dam 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 -
Snakes
Students will learn how our snakes have adapted to their natural environments and the unique things they can do. We will also learn how humans impact snake health. They will even get a chance to be up close with a live snake to overcome their fears!
Meets: 2.LS1.1-2, 3.LS1.1, 5.LS1.1
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: Primary Grades
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
Animal Characteristics
Have you ever wondered what a deer or skunk feels like? Students will learn about different mammals you can find in Tennessee and the characteristics that make them unique. They will also get a chance to be hands on with the pelts and see what each animal feels like!
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 2.LS2.1, 3.LS4.1, 3.LS4.2
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: Second and Third Grade
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $0/student -
Owls
Whoooo is making all that noise? Learn more about Tennessee’s owls and the exciting characteristics that set them apart from one another while discussing how humans impact birds of prey in wild habitats.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 3.LS4.2, 5.LS1.1
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: Primary Grades
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
Build a State Park
Students will create their own parks using natural materials and learn the strategies the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) used to construct Norris Dam State Park. Their imaginations are strongly encouraged for this activity!
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 45 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
CCC History Hike
Take a walk through history! Hiking through the park, students will see stonework built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and learn about the CCC’s impact throughout the state.
Distance: 1.0 mile
Terrain: Uneven terrain, mostly flat
Meets: 5.15, 5.48, TN.51, US.39, US.41, US.43
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Fifth Grade and older
Length: 120 minutes
Capacity: 45 students
Cost: $0/student -
Ranger-Led Hike
Come take a relaxing walk through the woods! Students will be guided on a hike by one of our Park Rangers to see the wonders of the wilderness. They will learn about different plant and animal species and the biodiversity in our forests. A variety of hiking trails are available for different abilities and skill levels. Please include your group’s skill level in your program request.
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 120 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $0/student -
Impacts of Norris Dam
Did you know Norris Dam was the first Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) dam in Tennessee? Students will learn about how the construction of Norris Dam began and how it has affected the region throughout the years.
Meets: 5.48, TN.16, TN.17, TN.51
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: Fifth Grade and older
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $0/student -
Guided Museum Tour
Explore Appalachia’s history at the Lenoir Museum! Through various exhibits and presentations, students will be exposed to Native American relics, the lifestyle of early settlers, and unique gadgets collected by Will G. and Helen H. Lenoir.
Meets: 2.18, 2.32, 3.13, 3.18, 5.48, TN.51, US.43
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Second Grade through Fifth Grade
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 45 students
Cost: $0/student -
Creek Critters Crawl
Cool off and explore the creek at Norris Dam! Using various nets, buckets, and tools, students will examine the biodiversity in the creek and learn how to identify the freshwater creatures. Students will also learn about indicators of stream health.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 4.LS2.2&4
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Second Grade and Fourth Grade
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:
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:
- Bus invoice
- Park invoice
- Photos
- Number of students new to any Tennessee State Park
- Student and teacher feedback