River Ridge is located on the shores of Watts Bar Lake and offers 1-5 day environmental education programs for people of all ages, primarily focusing on grades 4–8. Hosting 3,000 or more school children each year, our program teaches hands-on concepts in unforgettable ways.
Place Based Programming: New Approach to Curriculum
From bald eagles and osprey to sand hill cranes and great blue herons, many bird species call River Ridge home. There is lush flora and fauna everywhere you turn, as well as rich history and geography specific to our location in East Tennessee.
While offering an experiential approach to education, our age appropriate curriculum is designed to enhance and complement classroom studies. In our outdoor classroom, terms like "dragon-fly larvae”, "interrelationships”, and "adaptations” take on immediate significance as participants experience them first hand.
Even though we focus on an educational encounter with nature, the benefits of our program extend beyond environmental education. Through community living, participants learn to work together throughout the experience whether in classes, in cabins, or at meals.
For more information or to make reservations, please contact the office for details by email at riverridge@johnknoxcenter.org or by phone at (865) 376-2236.
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Environmental Education Program Staff
(Seasonal)
Change a Life--Change the World!
We seek individuals who enjoy sharing their love of the natural world with others to join our Program Staff. From seasonal positions with onsite residency to positions for those available occasionally for the day or week, we would love to talk to you!
Come be part of getting the next generation excited about nature! Live here March-May or Sept.- Nov. or commit to specific dates. Academic, recreational, & team building classes make up our program, founded in 1994. Class sessions are 90 minutes in length. Weekly or daily salary, lakefront housing for those staying the season or overnight, WiFi, and meals provided when groups are onsite. For more information see our Job Posting.
"I really enjoyed seeing the kids do the activities. Each kid enjoyed different things and they all got to try something new."