When

Friday November 4, 2016 at 12:00 PM CDT
-to-
Sunday November 6, 2016 at 12:00 PM CST
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Where

Fall Creek Falls State Park
2536 Lakeside Drive
Spencer, TN 38585

Driving Directions

Conference Agenda

Don't forget to take a lot of pictures throughout the weekend for your group's social media site! Use the hashtag #2016TNFriendsConference.

Pre-Conference Session

Kiln Building

Friday, November 5th

1pm - 3pm

Friends' groups selling firewood or interested in selling firewood can learn to build kilns to heat-treat firewood. Session will be led by Trish Johnson, Director of Forest Conservation for the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee.

Silent Auction

Help raise funds for the Mini Grant Program and support the Friends of Tennessee State Parks by bringing at least two (2) items to the Silent Auction at the 13^th Annual Friends Conference. Suggestions for items would be a basket of Friends and park merchandise, local items from your area, a weekend getaway with attraction tickets and/or hotel room, items from vendors you use, and crafted items.

Friends Exhibit Area

Remember to bring a display for your group that includes scrapbooks, photos, brochures, newsletters, items for sale, etc... This is your opportunity to show everyone the great things your group is doing to support your favorite state park.

Please only bring what can fit on a six foot table for your group. Smaller displays will share tables.

No Friends Display Contest This Year

We are taking a year off from the display contest. It will be restructured with input from your evaluation forms and discussions at the conference. Look for it's return in 2017!

Please still plan to bring a display so attendees can see what your group has accomplished or plans for the future.

Field Trips

Saturday, November 5th in the afternoon. You will have your choice of three trips.

Lost Creek State Natural Area
Hike at Fall Creek Falls with Randy Hedgepath
Photographing Your Park with Ranger Cara
Tie Dye with the Friends of Fall Creek Falls

All trips leave the Inn at 2pm except tie dying. See field trip details here.

Jr. Ranger Activities

Saturday, November 5th starting at 7:45am. Let us know if you are interested in having your child participate via the registration form. Official sign up will be at the conference registration tables.

Dress is Casual

Show your group or park pride by wearing Friends' or park apparel.

Questions or concerns about the Conference? Please contact:

Nancy Schelin
Tennessee State Parks
615-532-5249
nancy.schelin@tn.gov

Meghan Scholl
Tennessee State Parks
meghan.scholl@tn.gov

Friends group members, park personnel that work with Friends, and those starting a Friends group or interested in starting a Friends group are invited to Fall Creek Falls State Park for the 13th Annual Friends Conference. Come and learn from educational sessions, share information about best practices, challenges and successes, exchange program and project ideas and celebrate all the wonderful achievements of the Tennessee State Parks Friends' Groups.

#2016TNFriendsConference

Conference Fees

You can pay by credit card, PayPal or check. Please try to send or make payment prior to the conference weekend. We will still accept payments at the door.

Price PER Friends Member

$35 registration fee

Checks should be sent and payable to:

Friends of Tennessee State Parks

P.O. Box 149

Ooltewah, TN 37363

With your check, include the name of your group and the names of the individuals the check will be covering.

Secure Your Room

Inn rooms are at a special rate of $59.95 per night plus taxes. To reserve, please call 1-800-250-8610 or book online here. Be sure to mention or include our conference group code 5998. Rooms for the conference can only be held until October 15, 2016. The $59.95 rate will still be honored after this date for rooms that are available.

Cabin and campsites are also available. Fisherman and Landside cabins have recently been renovated. To check availability and pricing, click here. Please note that if you are interested in a Fisherman cabin, you must call to reserve. It will not allow you to book one online. All other cabins you can reserve online.

If you need special room arrangements, please contact the Inn at

1-800-250-8610.

TDEC & State Park staff: please provide your speed chart number when you reserve a room.

Hosted By:

Reminder: Daylight Saving Begins at 2am on Sunday, November 6, 2016