Junior Naturalist Program in Gatlinburg, TN

Why Families Choose the Jr. Naturalist Program

The Junior Naturalist Program at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Waterpark turns a family vacation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, into a hands-on adventure your kids will never forget. Designed to spark curiosity and a lifelong love of the outdoors, this guided educational program immerses children in the incredible biodiversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park — one of the most ecologically rich destinations in North America.

Discover everything you need to know about the Junior Naturalist Program today! From learning to identify native wildflowers to understanding black bear behavior, young explorers earn passport stickers, take home essential learning materials, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the natural world around them.

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Gatlinburg's #1 Junior Naturalist Program

During your family's stay at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park, your child(ren) will learn about the four core experiences connected to the natural world of the Smokies: Flora of the Smokies, Black Bear Education, Tree Identification, and Geology of the Smokies.

When you book your stay at Westgate, your family will have more than vacation memories!

  • Hands-On Learning Rooted in Real Science
    The Jr. Naturalist Program is a curriculum-backed, experiential education developed around the real ecosystems of the Smoky Mountains. Kids engage with actual plant specimens, wildlife data, and geological formations, making every session both educational and memorable.

  • Certified Wildlife Education with BearWise
    Activity materials are drawn directly from BearWise.org, the leading bear safety and education resource in North America. Parents can feel confident their children are learning accurate, responsible wildlife principles while having a blast in one of the most biodiverse national parks in the U.S.

  • Built-In Adventure Rewards
    Every young explorer receives a passport to collect activity stickers as they complete program sessions — turning learning into a collectible adventure. String bags, wristbands, and a Junior Naturalist Certificate give kids tangible mementos of their achievements, making the program a highlight of any Gatlinburg family vacation.

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Junior Naturalist Program FAQ

The Junior Naturalist Program is a structured, educational activity series for children staying at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Waterpark in Gatlinburg, TN. It includes four core sessions covering Smoky Mountains flora, black bear behavior, tree identification, and regional geology — all designed to make learning about nature fun and interactive.

The program is designed for school-age children who are curious about the natural world. Activities are structured to be engaging and age-appropriate, making it a great fit for kids roughly between the ages of 5 and 12. Parents and guardians are welcome to participate alongside their young explorers.

Participants receive a passport to collect stickers as they complete each activity, along with a Junior Naturalist Certificate, a string bag, wristbands, and hands-on learning materials to take home.

Program availability and inclusions may vary. Contact our Guest Services team or check at the resort's activity desk upon arrival for current session schedules and any applicable details.

Activities take place at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Waterpark in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with sessions led on-property and drawing on the surrounding natural landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains.

BearWise.org is a trusted wildlife education resource developed by state bear biologists across North America. The program incorporates BearWise activity pages to teach children accurate, responsible information about black bears — one of the Smokies' most iconic native species.

We recommend asking about session availability at check-in or contacting our Guest Services team ahead of your stay. Early booking of your resort stay ensures you have the most flexibility to participate in scheduled activities.

Absolutely. The program's focus on biology, ecology, earth science, and environmental stewardship aligns naturally with common homeschool curriculum areas. Many families use the experience as a hands-on supplement to their science units.

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