Daily Programs
May 2020
The Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble
Meet Grandfather Mountain's naturalists for a 20-minute walk highlighting the park's rhododendron species and blooms.
Find out more »June 2020
Animal Birthday Party
Grandfather Mountain celebrates the birthdays of all the animals in its environmental habitats with games, contests, crafts and surprises.
Find out more »Project WILD Educator Workshop
NOTE: This event has been cancelled. Project WILD is a K-12 interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. All participants will receive the Project WILD activity guide and earn six hours of Criteria I credit toward their N.C. Environmental Education Certification (or 0.6 CEU’s). Homework option available to earn up to 10 hours or 1.0 CEU. About Our Environmental Educator Certification Programs Join the staff of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission for the opportunity…
Find out more »Virtual Nature Photography Weekend
What’s the next best thing to being outdoors at Grandfather Mountain? Virtual nature! Due to COVID-19, Nature Photography Weekend was canceled this year. However, in order to keep the tradition going, we are now providing a substitute that will put a modern twist on things. "This year, in order to ensure the safety of our guests and staff, we made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Nature Photography Weekend," said Frank Ruggiero, director of marketing and communications for the Grandfather…
Find out more »August 2020
Exploring Grandfather Mountain’s Natural Communities
Grandfather Mountain is often referred to as the “Canada of the South” – and it’s true. Some of the species here also thrive in the far North. Join Dr. Patrick McMillan, host of PBS's "Expeditions with Patrick McMillan," in exploration of the 16 natural communities on Grandfather Mountain, from rocky summit to hardwood forests. We’ll discover that Grandfather’s climate and geography play an important role in this mountaintop ecosystem. McMillan is the Emmy Award-winning host, co-creator and writer of the…
Find out more »Animal Enrichment Day
Enrichment is an integral part of how the mountain cares for its habitat animals every day. Visitors will enjoy watching enrichment demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented games and crafts.
Find out more »Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic 2020
Top photographers gather at Grandfather Mountain to present on the nuts and bolts of making good photographs. This event is free to working members of the press, with an additional cost for non-press professionals and amateurs. Online registration begins July 15 at www.grandfather.com. Plan to join us Aug. 15-16, 2020! Registration opens 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 15. 2020 Speakers TBA Schedule (subject to change) Friday, Aug. 14 3-6 p.m. – Early check-in at MacRae Meadows 5 p.m. – Mildred’s Grill…
Find out more »September 2020
The Artist’s Workshop: Late Summer Sketching
The naturalist’s sketchbook is full of sketches of natural objects that bring moments in nature to life! The way you arrange these drawings on a page can boost the storytelling quality of your sketches. In this course led by artist Preston Montague, participants will learn how to tell a story through the arrangement of objects in a sketchbook, as well as basic observation and drawing techniques with pen, pencil, and colored pencils. Though designed for beginners, students with more intermediate…
Find out more »Junior Ranger Day
This is a day of curiosity and fun! Programs throughout the day will be provided specifically for kids, ages 5-12, to explore their environment and experience all that Grandfather Mountain has to offer.
Find out more »The Changing Climate & Grandfather Mountain
Climate change is coming to Grandfather Mountain, whether we want it to or not. How will this affect the plants and animals who live on this mountain, some of whom grow nowhere else in the world? As it gets warmer, will plants migrate uphill, where its cooler? What about the plants who that at the top already? What will they do? This field course will examine the various plant communities along an elevational gradient on Grandfather Mountain, from the deciduous…
Find out more »50th Annual Girl Scout Day
Girl Scouts are invited to join the park’s naturalists for a fun-filled learning adventure on Grandfather Mountain. All Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership.
Find out more »October 2020
The Fall Color Ramble
Join Grandfather Mountain's naturalists for a guided walk through the park's most colorful spots, showcasing the splendor of fall color.
Find out more »Grandfather’s Starry Skies
October is one of the best times of year to be stargazing at Grandfather Mountain. The air is cool and clear, and the summer constellations are still very prominent, with some early winter sights making their appearance later in the evening. This course is also during the time of the Orionid meteor shower, so hopefully some of these celestial fireworks will grace our skies during the nighttime observation. The goal for this course is to create a familiarity with the…
Find out more »Beary Scary Halloween
Visit Grandfather Mountain for a day of nature programs about animals considered creepy and crawly! This fun-filled celebration includes an opportunity to create special Halloween enrichments for the animals and then trick-or-treat through the animal habitats area. Plus, children in costume are admitted at half-price.
Find out more »November 2020
All About Elk Educator Workshop
This workshop will focus on elk in North Carolina. A majority of the workshop will be spent learning about the life history and current research on elk, as well as activities that can be incorporated into educational programs. Information on how to coexist with elk will be provided. Participants will also tour the wildlife habitats at Grandfather Mountain with Grandfather Mountain staff to observe elk up close. The workshop provides six hours of Criteria II or III credit toward the…
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