Ocoee River for Educators
  • view of water flowing down a river surrounded by trees with a dam in the distance

    • Ocoee River Educator Programs

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

    Ocoee River State Park offers accessible, experiential educational opportunities to both engage and educate students. Choose from the park programs below.

    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

      • Stone memorial with plaques surrounded by greenery and fencing.

      Virtual Connections

    • park info shelter near a playground with green equipment

    What Does Ocoee River Offer?

    Ocoee River State Park offers programs that cover topics such as:

    • Stream Ecology
    • Protecting Our Watersheds
    • Nature Hikes
    • Cherokee History
    • Park Career Options

    Planning Your Field Trip

    • Program(s) are offered daily Monday - Thursday for up to 40 students.
    • Request your program(s) at least six (6) weeks in advance.
    • Outdoor classroom available for groups of up to 20 students.
    • view of river with rocks near the edges and a bridge in the distance
    • Tennessee State Parks ranger uniform patch on a shirt.

    Why Tennessee State Parks?

    • Our Rangers are experienced and knowledgeable in various subjects.
    • Our programs support many Tennessee academic standards.
    • Easily accessible lunch, parking, and restroom facilities. 

    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, 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.    

    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.  

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