Magic, Music & Nature: The Great Smokies With Your Grandchild

Afternoon: Hotel Check-in: Available from 3:00 p.m. Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, to get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule and other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet at the front desk when you check in.

Dinner: At the hotel, enjoy a buffet meal with salad, choice of entrée, and dessert; beverage choices include sweet tea, lemonade, water.

Evening: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate; program activities and schedules may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Scheduled free time is set aside for your personal independent exploration. The Group Leader will often be available during free time to accompany informal excursions, activities, or meals that have been excluded from the program cost. You are welcome to join if you like, with any associated costs on your own.

Activity note: Some walking today through the museum and on stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel, our breakfat buffet offers a selection of eggs, breakfast meats, hot and cold cereals, fruit, breads, pastries, juice, milk, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: Mike Gwinn will join us for an introduction to Appalachian folklore, folk music, and instruments. Learn about the history of music, see and hear unique instruments and learn the songs of the mountains. We will have time to make our own musical instruments and maybe learn a chord or two.

Lunch: At the hotel, the deli lunch buffet offers a choice of sandwiches including PB&J, side dishes; beverages choices include sweet tea, lemonade, water.

Afternoon: We’ll travel by coach with our Group Leader to the Titanic Museum for an amazing kid-friendly adventure. While impressive, this two-story construction is only half the size of the ship that became the most famous shipwreck in history. As you enter, you will receive a boarding ticket with the name of an actual passenger or crew member, then get a feel for what it was like to be on that fateful voyage in 1912 as you explore recreations of key places on the ship. Kids will have a scavenger hunt through the bridge, passenger cabins, and the beautiful Grand Staircase.

Dinner: Tonight we enjoy the Country Tonite Variety Show. Celebrating its 20th spectacular season as the show repeatedly voted the Best Show in the Smokies! 2016 will deliver a BRAND NEW and EXCITING show that will surpass all expectations. In this fast-paced production, you will enjoy a variety of dynamic singing and dancing, side-splitting comedy, powerful gospel, and American patriotism. Country Tonite is the only show in Pigeon Forge with youth performers – so it is fun for the whole family!

Activity note: Walking approximately 1-3 miles.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll board our bus for the nearby Dollywood Theme Park, now the best-known attraction in the area. During our guided exploration, meet park personnel who may include entertainers, craftspeople, and other park staff. As we go, enjoy current offerings such as educational nature shows, performances, rides, and more.

Lunch: Vouchers provided to choose what you like from the many different options.

Afternoon: We’ll continue to explore Dollywood’s mix of activities that vary by season. You can watch master craftsmen in traditional Appalachian crafts, enjoy fun entertainment and shows — from country to bluegrass, Rock 'n' Roll and gospel music — as well as exciting amusement park rides and attractions Afterwards, we’ll take our bus back to the hotel with time to relax and freshen up before dinner.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking including uneven, unpaved ground. Walking up to two miles on trails. Travel by Motorcoach 1.5 hours 45 miles one way.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: With a local expert, we’ll take our bus to the Rainforest Zoo Adventure where we will enjoy an interactive adventure with over 130 species and 600 animals. Following our visit we continue to Gatlinburg for lunch

Lunch: Travel to Gatlinburg where we have lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy a salad and pizza buffet.

Afternoon: Next we travel through the scenic Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visit the Sugarlands Visitor Center. From here we will take a short guided hike to get a feel for the mountains and enjoy a hands on activity along our journey This afternoon we visit the city of Gatlinburg's Arts and Crafts Community. On the visit we will visit a local candle maker where we will have an opportunity to make our own candle and conclude with a visit to a pottery studio to watch an expert throw pottery.

Dinner: DInner Show: We travel to Dolly Parton's newest dinner show. Pirate's Voyage Dinner and Show. The show invites you to join the most famous pirate, Blackbeard, and his quarter master, Calico Jack, as they lead the Crimson and Sapphire crews in a battle on land, on deck, in water and high above full-sized pirate ships in an indoor hideaway lagoon! You will see beautiful mermaids, tropical birds, and much more all while being served a four course dinner feast.

Evening: At your leisure.

Activity note: The opportunity for swimming outdoors depends on local conditions at the time. Bring swim gear, towels, and a change of dry clothes.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning we spend some time with the cast of the Impossibilities Theater in Gatlinburg, TN. Learn about the power of illusion, ask questions, and even learn a trick to take home.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: This afternoon we enjoy a team activity for students designed around storytelling.

Dinner: Dinner this evening is served at the Hard Rock Cafe in Pigeon Forge.

Evening: Following dinner we travel to The Space Needle in Gatlinburg and the Impossibilities Theater. Enjoy the show in the Iris Theater starring Chris Collins and Erik Dobell for their magic, Mind Reading and Mayhem Show. We return to the hotel following the show.

Activity note: Hotel check-out is by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: Enjoy another hearty breakfast including breakfast entree's, juice, fruit, yogurt, cereal, coffee.