Becoming a Member
Click here for the SMHC Membership Application (PDF)
Prospective members must be at least 16 years of age, and must agree to abide by the Club’s Code of Ethics.
Annual dues for "regular membership" are $14; dues for additional family members living at the same address are $1 each. A copy of the current SMHC Handbook and the monthly Club Newsletter are sent to regular members. Two additional classes of membership have been established which augment the funds available for conservation work: "supporting membership" at $20, or more, which covers an entire family, as does "life membership" at $500 (paid once).
Your dues cover the annual operating expenses of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club. All Board members serve on a volunteer basis and do not receive any compensation. We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which means that contributions, outside of basic dues, are IRS tax-deductible.
Your dues not only help support the work of the SMHC and its Appalachian Trail Maintainers' Committee, but also a number of sister outdoor and conservation organizations, such as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. We encourage all members to consider renewing each year as supporting members, and also encourage members and the general public to make contributions to the SMHC in support of our trail maintenance and conservation activities.
Members may choose not to receive their monthly Newsletters by U.S. Postal Service, but instead to receive them in PDF form attached to an email. This service may be requested at any time via an email sent to the Editor (whose address is near the end of each printed Newsletter).
On July 7, 2008, the Board of Directors voted to drop the long-standing requirement to do three Club hikes before applying for initial membership. However, the Club still requires members to participate in three Club hikes (or in A.T. Work Trips – which count as 2 hikes) before being eligible to lead hikes for the Club, or to serve on the SMHC Board of Directors. The Event Signup Sheets form the official record of participants — so please write legibly, easing the job of the membership committee person who tallies this information.
Extra Handbooks are available from the Club Treasurer for $4, post-paid.
Discounts Available to Members
Mast General Store in downtown Knoxville is now offering discounts to SMHC members. Specific details will be added here shortly.
Club members may receive a discount of 10% on purchases made at River Sports Outfitters, with locations at 2918 Sutherland Avenue and 11808 Northshore Drive in Knoxville.
Club members also may receive a discount for pontoon ferry services at Fontana Marina, located on Fontana Lake in North Carolina, just over the ridge from the dam access. Details are subject to change, but as of August 2009, they are offering round trip ferry service to Hazel Creek or Eagle Creek for $20.00 per person for 20 or more people.
Discounting merchants may require proof of membership, either a current membership card, or a current Club handbook, to show your name in the membership directory at the end of the handbook.
There may be other similar businesses offering a discount.