Quick Details
Tennessee Valley Railroad Summer Camp
We are looking forward to another fun and exciting summer!
Application Process and Applicant Requirements
TVRM’s Rail Camp is highly competitive, physical in nature with high demand and limited space in our day and overnight sessions. Interested candidates will: Contact cgooge@tvrail.com with an email of interest and then submit the electronic for consideration by TVRM’s Rail Camp Review Board comprised of curatorial and operational safety staff before final acceptances are determined. This process is lottery-based for final cohort selection.
Please note that due to our high demand for the Rail Camp program, application does not guarantee admission. Applicants who are accepted will be notified no later than March 1, 2024.
NOTE: Due to overwhelming demand, as we reach the overnight application deadline of February 15, 2024, lottery applications for overnight rail camp are now closed. TVRM personnel will contact you no later than March 5, 2024, regarding application status for this highly sought-after program. Day camp applications for sessions 2 and 3 remain open.
Please contact Charles Googe, Camp Director, for any other questions or concerns at cgooge@tvrail.com.
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Session 1 – Day Camp (10-12 years old)
May 27 – May 31, 2024- $425.00Session 2 – Day Camp (13-17 years old)
June 3-7 , 2024- $425.00Session 3 – Day Camp (13-17 years old)
June 10-14, 2024- $425.00Session 4 – Overnight Camp (13-17 years old)Â Â Application Period Closed
June 24-29, 2024- $1,150.00Session 5 – Overnight Camp (13-17 years old)Â Â Application Period Closed
July 1-6, 2024- $1,150.00 -
All campers should wear jeans, close-toed shoes, and a T-shirt. Please have campers wear clean clothing each day, but remember that it may become very dirty, sweaty, and possibly be ruined by paint, grease, etc. – so choose carefully.
Campers should bring (packed in a backpack and labeled with the camper’s name):
- A hat (for sun protection)
- Sunglasses
- Safety goggles (clear lenses please, not sunglasses!)
- Work gloves
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- A water bottle
- Any needed medications (to be turned in to staff)
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Safety is the most important rule of Rail Camp as TVRM is an active railroad. This camp is designed to provide immersive and hands-on experiences in and around full-scale operational railroad equipment within a safe, controlled environment. Rail Camp is heavy in operations familiarization, and campers will be spending significant periods of time outdoors, around or on moving equipment, and in areas typically not accessible to the general public where safe conduct is mandatory. When considering the suitability of Rail Camp for your child, note that campers enrolled in the program are required to abide by all established safety rules including the following:
– Follow all directions the first time given without exception
-Collaborate with their peers to maintain a safe environment
-Maintain safe and agreeable behavior with staff and peers in all areas at all times.
Campers must abide by TVRM’s strict code of conduct at all times, without exception.
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Please see dates in above description for our lottery-based application process, which closes for overnight applications on February 15, 2025.
Session 1 – Day Camp (10-12 years old)
May 27 – May 31, 2024- $425.00Session 2 – Day Camp (13-17 years old)
June 3-7 , 2024- $425.00Session 3 – Day Camp (13-17 years old)
June 10-14, 2024- $425.00Session 4 – Overnight Camp (13-17 years old)Â Application Period Closed
June 24-29, 2024- $1,150.00Session 5 – Overnight Camp (13-17 years old)Â Application Period Closed
July 1-6, 2024- $1,150.00GM&O_100A.jpg
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- Snacks and water are provided each day.
- Lunch is provided for campers attending full-day sessions.
- Campers are welcome to bring extra snacks if desired.
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Due to overwhelming demand of many session dates, our process for Rail Camp applications is by completed registration form submission via email and a random selection of registrants from completed applications to be most equitable to those desiring a chance to attend.  This lottery takes more coordination on the front end for processing, requiring some patience from registrants, as we strive to provide an equitable chance for potential applicants to participate in the Rail Camp experience.