Tennessee Promise Saturday at Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner Bob Martineau, in partnership with Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative, today announced Tennessee Promise Saturday, a student volunteer day to be held in all Tennessee State Parks on Saturday, July 18.
The Tennessee Promise, part of Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative to increase the number of Tennesseans with a post-secondary credential to 55 percent by 2025, provides tuition-free community and technical college to recent high school graduates. All Tennessee Promise students utilizing the program this fall are required to complete eight hours of community service by August 1, 2015.
“This is a win-win,” Haslam said. “It’s a great way for our Tennessee Promise students to fulfill their community service requirements, while enjoying and improving our state parks and probably learning a little bit more about our state in the process.”
Students can visit http://tnstateparks.com/about/special-event-cards/tn-promise-saturday and register to volunteer. Volunteer events are listed below by park and include meet up time, location, duration, activity description and point of contact. Reservations are required for all participants.
“Tennessee State Parks are excited to have these students pick parks to honor their volunteer and community service credits,” Martineau said. “Our park staff has chosen various activities from trail clean-ups, landscaping, to even helping build an 18th century cabin at one of the parks. We hope the students find these activities worthwhile and that they learn a little something they didn’t know about Tennessee’s rich history.”
Tennessee State Parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. There is a state park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in the state, offering a variety of recreational, lodging and dining choices. If you have any questions or need assistance making your reservation for a Tennessee Promise volunteer event at Tennessee State Parks, please contact Nancy Schelin at nancy.schelin@tn.gov or (615) 532-5249.
