Red Clay For Educators
Red Clay 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
Red Clay Programs
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Standard Field Trip
The standard field trip includes three (3) education programs: a historical film, a Ranger-led park tour, and a traditional Cherokee weapons demonstration.
Meets: 1.25, 2.03, 3.22, 4.01, 4.18, 5.38, 8.47
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 120 minutes
Capacity: 120 students
Cost: $0/student -
Historical Film
Learn the basic history of Red Clay through an 18-minute interpretive film (3rd-12th) or listen to a Cherokee storyteller share traditional tales of wonder in a 15-minute video (K-2nd).
Meets: 1.03, 2.03, 3.20, 4.18, 5.38, 8.47
Location: Park or online*
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 20 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
Guided Park Tour
Students will tour the Red Clay Council Grounds and learn about the Eternal Flame of the Cherokee Nation, the Council Spring, and the replica structures including the council house, the sleeping huts, and the farmstead. Topics include the councils at Red Clay, the impact of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, and Cherokee life in the 1830s.
Meets: 1.25, 2.02, 3.22, 4.18, 5.38, 8.47
Distance: 0.5 miles
Terrain: Mostly flat, paved terrain
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 60-90 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
Traditional Cherokee Weaponry
Students will learn about traditional Cherokee weapons, including the war club, the atlatl, and the blowgun, as well as the non-traditional flintlock rifle.
Meets: 1.25, 2.02, 3.29, 4.01, 5.28
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 120 students
Cost: $0/student -
Cherokee Medicinal Plants Hike
Students will hike the Blue Hole Spring trail (0.25 mi) and learn about the plants the Cherokee traditionally used as medicine.
This program is best done in the spring and summer.
Meets: 3.LS1, 3.LS4, 4.LS2L, 5.LS3, 6.LS2
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 20 students
Cost: $0/student -
Science of the Council Spring
Ever wonder why the Blue Hole Spring is blue? Learn how the spring gets its color and more in this program! Students will participate in water quality testing and a creek crawl to learn about the spring's role in our environment and the park's history.
Meets: 4.PS4, 4.LS2L, 5.LS3, 6.LS2
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 90 minutes
Capacity: 20 students
Cost: $0/student -
Nature Journaling
Students will participate in an inquiry-based exploration of Red Clay through nature journaling. The programmer will lead activities that guide students to ask questions and make observations about the natural environment.
Meets: K.ETS1, 1.LS2, 1.ETS1, 2.ETS2, 3.PS1
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 20 students
Cost: $0/student -
Blacksmithing
Learn about the ancient art of blacksmithing and how it fits into the history of the Cherokee. The programmer will discuss the blacksmithing process, tools, and techniques, then demonstrate making a small object.
Meets: 2.02, 3.29, 4.01, 5.28, 8.47, TN.03
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 20 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