Tims Ford For Educators
  • A wooden bridge with red beams extends through a leafy forest in autumn. Sunlight casts soft shadows, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.
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    Tims Ford Educator Programs

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

    Tims Ford State Park offers accessible, experiential educational opportunities to both engage and educate students. Choose from varied park programs or work with a Ranger to create a program that meets the Tennessee academic standards in your classroom.  

    Our Programs

      • In a nature center, children are interacting with a masked guide holding a snake. Taxidermy birds adorn the wooden walls, creating an educational atmosphere.

      Field Trips

      • A sunlit forest path surrounded by dense, green trees. The peaceful scene has dappled sunlight and a wooden bench beside the trail.

      School Outreach

      • Brown hawk perched on a wooden beam, inside an enclosure with a green wall background. The bird looks alert and focused, creating a serene atmosphere.

      Custom Programs

    • A person in a purple shirt and cap stands with a child on a sunlit, red metal truss bridge over a river, surrounded by lush green trees, conveying a peaceful, scenic moment.

    What Do Tims Ford Educator Programs Offer?

    Tims Ford State Park offers field trips and school outreach programs on topics such as: 

    • General Biology
    • Regional History
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Animal Adaptations and Keystone Species
    • Park Career Options 

    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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