Old Stone Fort For Educators
Notification Alert
Bridge Closure
The bridge at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic due to construction activity.
Old Stone Fort 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
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Field Trips
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School Outreach
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Self-guided/Teacher-led
Old Stone Fort State Park Programs
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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!
Meets: TN.62
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Cost: $0/student -
Standard Field Trip
This field trip is a combination of our guided Mounds and Mills Hike and Middle Woodland Tools Presentation (and Atlatl throwing activity if time allows). This program gives students a well-rounded experience and understanding of Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park as a prehistoric/historic site.
Meets: 5.01, 5.04, 5.27, 5.28, TN.02, TN.62
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 120 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Cost: $0/student -
Guided Mounds and Mills Hike
Students will learn about the Woodland Period Indigenous people, including how and why the mound walls were constructed, daily life in the Woodland period, and the transition from nomadic to more agrarian lifestyles. This will also include the history of the mill industry and its methods within the park, as well as the families that operated it.
Meets: 5.01, 5.04, 5.27, 5.28, TN.02
Distance: 0.4 miles
Terrain: Flat, uneven terrain
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Fifth Grade and up
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Cost: $0/student -
Middle Woodland Tools Presentation
Students will learn about the tools employed by the Middle Woodland Indigenous People through presentation and short demonstrations that allowed the Middle Woodland people to successfully gather materials, food, and undertake trade.
Meets: 5.01, 5.04, 5.27, 5.28, TN.02
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: Fifth Grade and up
Length: 45 minutes
Capacity: 35 students (no limit if at school)
Cost: $0/student -
Reptiles of Tennessee
Students will learn about native Tennessee reptiles, including their characteristics, habitats, prey, and predators. This program will feature a live snake animal ambassador.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 2.LS2.2, 4.LS2.4
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: Second and Fourth Grade
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Cost: $0/student -
Atlatl Throwing Activity
Students will learn about the prehistoric hunting tool known as the Atlatl that the Woodland People of Old Stone Fort would have used to hunt larger game, such as deer, for food and materials, as well as get an opportunity to try the atlatl themselves.
Meets: 5.01, 5.04, 5.27, 5.28, TN.02
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Fifth Grade and up
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Cost: $0/student -
Civil War Gunpowder Hike and Demonstration
Students will learn about the process of making gunpowder, what it was used for, and its importance to both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War. This includes learning about the Confederacy's need for heightened industrialization both during and after the Civil War, compared to the already more industrialized North. The program will conclude by seeing a demonstration of Civil War-period rifle musket from a demonstrator in period-appropriate attire.
Meets: 4.30, 4.35, 4.37, 5.01, 5.04, 5.46, TN.29, TN.62
Distance: 0.4 miles
Terrain: Flat, uneven terrain
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Fourth Grade and up
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Cost: $0/student -
Full Length Guided Mounds and Mills Hike
Students will learn about the Woodland Period Indigenous people, including how/why the mound walls were constructed, daily life in the Woodland period, and the transition from nomadic to more agrarian lifestyles. This will also include geology of the area, more mound viewing, and the history of the mill industry and its methods within the park, as well as the families that operated it.
Meets: 4.ESS1.1, 4ESS2.1, 4.ESS2.2, 4.ESS3.2, 5.01, 5.04, 5.27, 5.28, TN.02, TN.62
Distance: 1.4 miles
Terrain: Flat, uneven terrain
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Fourth Grade and up
Length: 60-90 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Cost: $0/student -
River Explorations Creek Crawl
While exploring the Duck River, students will take samples of wildlife and learn about the freshwater habitat and the difference in vertebrates and invertebrates.
Note: This program is weather-dependent. A personal towel is required and change of clothes suggested. The water level can go up to 2 feet.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 3.LS4.2, TN.62
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Second Grade
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Cost: $5/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