We will start the afternoon with a “Pond Party” where we will use dip nets and other collection tools to discover what lives in the several ponds around Ijams. We will also take a short hike to see what is blooming and leafing out during the springtime renewal of life in the forest.
Tie-Dye Party! Matches can come join us for a fun night of tie-dye! A bag, scrunchy, and headband will be available for each match, but feel free to bring your own item to tie-dye (while dyes last)! Snacks will be available. Be sure to RSVP! When: Tuesday, June 11th, 5:30-7:00pm Where: Fountain City Park
Lights, Camera, ACTION! Matches can get in front of a camera at a real TV studio and see how they make shows there. Littles will have the opportunity to talk about books and possibly be featured on air!
With nearly-continuous Class II-IV rapids like Lost Guide and Accelerator and views into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Upper Pigeon delivers. More info here: https://noc.com/trips/pigeon-river-rafting-upper-pigeon. The NOC requires youth to be at least 8 years old and weigh over 70 pounds. The Sierra Club will pay the rafting fee for the youth and all adults will pay their fee of $50. RSVP for more details. Saturday, July 20th at 10am-5pm
We are JUMPING back into the school year at Urban Air in Knoxville, TN! BBBS will have the entire facility with access to the following attractions: -Wipeout -ProZone Performance Trampolines - Climbing Hill - Battle Beam -Warrior Course -Tubes-Indoor Playground -Basic Trampolines When: Saturday, July 27th from 9am to 11am Where: Urban Air Trampoline Park, 9626 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922 Please ONLY RSVP if you plan to attend. RSVP by July 12th. Click here to RSVP Each jumper will be provided socks for jumping! Breakfast baked items and beverages will be provided! Each child in attendance will receive a backpack with school supplies! Matches and the Little's Families are welcome to attend this event. If you have multiple children who are Littles in this program, please fill out separate forms for each child. Please note that this event has a capacity, so RSVP's will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. Please reach out to your match support specialist or email rdavis@tennesseebig.org if you RSVP and plans change.
Sat. August 17th, 11am-2pm Let’s get a little exercise - a hike to a waterfall in the Smokies. This is one of the least well-kept secrets in the Smokies. This 2 mile-round trip hike to a beautiful waterfall begins at the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont and passes by places of historical and geological interest. We travel through several forest types to eat lunch by a 60-foot waterfall. We return by the same route. There are several pools of water for those that want to take a dip in the co
We’ll spend a relaxing afternoon in the open fields of Cades Cove, one of the most beautiful spots in the Smokies. On this outing join butterfly experts from the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont to learn about Monarch Butterfly migration. We will catch and tag butterflies that are migrating through the area. It is a very unique experience! RSVP for more details.
Matches can come to our BBBS office and enjoy Halloween Festivities! We will have pumpkins for carving and painting, as well as some games matches can play through the night. Most importantly, we will have a costume contest with a prize at the end! This is a drop-in when you can event, but the contest winners will be announced at 7:30pm. Space is limited, so please be sure to RSVP.
The Maryville College Mountain Challenge is an outdoor experience through a low ropes course that enables groups to learn to cooperate, to communicate, and to challenge themselves– and to have fun doing so. Comparable to a giant obstacle course, the Low Ropes Course is designed to challenge its participants to think and act creatively. Each activity serves a different component of group dynamics and will be customized to suit the needs of the participants. Know-before-you-go will be sent out the week of the event. Click here to RSVP
Come enjoy a fun day of football on Saturday, November 23rd! We will watch the Tennessee Vols against UTEP at 1pm in our office. Lunch from Moe's Southwest Grill will be provided! At this party we will, of course, watch the game, but we will also have fun games available to play, and a game of football outside during halftime! This event is perfect for matches and/or our Littles' families! Please be sure to RSVP as we do have limited capacity. We look forward to seeing you all there! Click here to RSVP
Save the date for December 14th! We will be partnering with Variety Children's Charity to provide matches and Littles' families an opportunity to see a newly released movie, enjoy a Santa visit, and give gifts for kids. More information to come; be on the lookout in your email to RSVP over the next few weeks!
On Saturday, January 18th, we invite our matches to join together at the Ice Chalet to ice skate. We will meet there at 2:00pm and you can stay until they close at 4:30pm if you would like. Matches will be able to rent skates. This is also for all levels of skating! :) Please RSVP to secure a spot for you and your Little! More info will be shared for those who RSVP to attend the week of the event. We hope to see you there!