This blog contains direct quotes from websites as of 2023. Programs and policies do change, at colleges, from time to time, so please check with the colleges directly to receive any updates. These are not, necessarily, the biggest, best, or most popular programs at the college, but they are the ones that just “caught my eye” as unique, special, interesting, or just plain awesome. Enjoy!
From the Maryville College website, 2023: “Why study Outdoor Studies and Tourism at MC? With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the east, Music City in the center, Graceland in the west and numerous historical and recreational sites in between, Tennessee enjoys a tourism industry that adds several billion dollars to its economy annually. As the tourism and hospitality sector grows, so too does its intersection with issues of sustainability. Managing travel and adventure with their impacts on the environment is an increasingly important skill in the modern economy.
“Maryville College’s Outdoor Studies and Tourism major will uniquely prepare you for careers that emphasize the importance of the natural environment, how humans can respectfully enjoy and interact with nature, and the value of active, safe, outdoor experiences. The curriculum equips you with the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to create, manage and evaluate effective outdoor experiences and sustainable tourism programs.
“ON CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES: Founded on the MC campus in 1987 by alumnus Bruce Guillaume ’76, Mountain Challenge, LLC, is an outdoor adventure and teambuilding program serving students and businesses that strives ‘to provide high-quality, safe outdoor experiences designed to change the world for the better, one person at a time.’ Mountain Challenge activities are incorporated into Orientation classes and, year-round, students can sign up for off-campus trips to canoe, hike, raft, bike, rock climb and cave.
“SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Maryville College gives students who love the
outdoors an opportunity to earn a $24,000 per-year
scholarship to work with Mountain Challenge. Visit
maryvillecollege.edu/finaid/ for details.
“External Relationships (potential internships):
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cycology Bicycles
Little River Trading Company
Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks and Recreation
Ocoee Adventure Center
Phoenix Experiential Designs
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
University of Tennessee – Knoxville Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Program”
Maryville is one of the featured colleges in my new book (click image for additional information):
