TN Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

02/24/2026

Dear Tennessee Returned Peace Corps Volunteers -

TNRPCV will be holding several events to celebrate Peace Corps Week and Peace Corps 65th Anniversary and you're invited. Join other TNRPCVs in the following events taking place during Peace Corps Week:

Tuesday, March 3rd (Nashville-area) - "The Toughest Party You'll Ever Love"
Join Nashville-area RPCVs at East Nashville Beer Works (ENBW) from 5:00pm - 7:00pm for a night of fun and storytelling. This event and ENBW is family friendly. Partners and kids are welcome
(see poster below) Bring photos or other memories from your service to share. You can also submit photos from your service to be shared throughout the night here.
For more information, contact [email protected].

Wednesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 5th (Chattanooga-area) - We the Peace Corps: United in Service (see poster below).
Join Chattanooga-area RPCVs for tabling events at the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga to celebrate National Peace Corps Week with UTC students and promote awareness and appreciation of the Peace Corps.
Wednesday, March 4th from 2:00pm - 3:00pm at the Guerry Center (UTC Honors College) and Thursday, March 5th from 11:00am - 1:00pm at the University Center.
If you are interested in either event or for more information contact [email protected].

Saturday, March 7th (Nashville-area) - W**d Wrangle
Join Nashville-area RPCVs to volunteer at the W**d Wrangle hosted by the Friends of Mill Ridge Park (FOMRP) at beautiful Mill Ridge Park in Southeast Davidson County starting at 10:00am. This W**d Wrangle event is organized by the FOMRP Community Engagement Officer Katherine Dennis, who is a Tennessee RPCV herself.
Please sign up for the event at https://handson.unitedwaygreaternashville.org/opportunity/a0aVN00001LKexdYAD/weed-wrangle-at-mill-ridge-park. More information and directions will be provided when you sign up.
For more information, contact [email protected].
We hope to see you there!

02/18/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!
Hey Nashville TNRPCVs! The W**d Wrangle at Mill Ridge Park start and end time has been changed to 9 am - 11:30 am, due to the predicted rain coming after that. So...
Join us Saturday, March 7th, from 9:00 am - 11:30 am to volunteer at the W**d Wrangle hosted by the Friends of Mill Ridge Park (FOMRP) at beautiful Mill Ridge Park in Southeast Davidson County! This W**d Wrangle event is organized by the FOMRP Community Engagement Officer Katherine Dennis, who is a Tennessee RPCV herself!

If you plan to attend, please sign up on the Hands on Nashville site: https://handson.unitedwaygreaternashville.org/opportunity/a0aVN00001LKexdYAD/weed-wrangle-at-mill-ridge-park
More information and directions will be provided when you sign up.

We hope to see you there!

Join Friends of Mill Ridge Park and Mill Creek Watershed Association to remove invasive species at the park as a part of the national W**d Wrangle® event. This is accomplished via hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants. Supervised by volunteer leaders in invasive ...

12/06/2025

Hi TN Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and friend!

Happy Thanksving! Mark your calendars for our upcoming TNRPCV Nashville-area events!
Tuesday, December 9 - Holiday Happy Hour at East Nashville Beer Works (320 E. Trinity Lane) starting at 5:00pm. We will meet under the covered patio.

Tuesday, December 16 - Volunteer with Nueva Vida Food Project located behind Glencliif Presbyterian Church at 416 E. Thompson Lane from 4:30pm - 7:30pm.
Nueva Vida Food Project partners with Nourish Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank to distrubute food to an estimated 500 families a month.
Contact [email protected] to RSVP or for more information about these events.

Fundraiser Reminder - TNRPCVs has partnered with the RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison for a holiday fundraiser. Use the code PC4TNRPCV-26 at checkout to receive $2 off your total purchase. Visit their online store here https://www.rpcvmadison.org/shopA to purchase their 2026 calendar, notecards, and more - just in time for the holidays! portion of the sales using our code (PC4TNRPCV-26) will go towards our fundraising efforts which supports current Tennessee PCVs in the field and their Peace Corps Partnership Program grants.

09/03/2025

TN-RPCV Fall Hike Sat. 9/27/25

Fellow Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga RPCV’s, we’re looking forward to all who want to join the upcoming TN-RPCV hike on Saturday, September 27th. We’ll do the Stone Door, Brig Creek Rim, Laurel Falls loop. Perfect for casual and seasoned hikers, this loop is an easy 7-mile hike with very little elevation gain. The views overlooking Collins and Savage Gulfs are wonderful. A good portion of the hike skirts amazing overlooks! Estimated time 3-3.5 hours; 761 ft. elevation gain. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/alum-gap-campsite-via-laurel-trail-and-big-creek-rim-trail

The description from All Trails is the following: this “trail starts from Big Creek Gulf Trailhead, where parking and restrooms are available. The trail markings are clear and at regular intervals throughout the trail. Along the way visitors can check out the various overlooks with impressive views. The elevation gains are spread out and gradual, so there are no significant climbs.”

We’ll plan on lunch at the Alum campground or earlier on one of the overlooks. Pack plenty of water, lunch and/or snacks, sunscreen, bug spray—whatever makes you comfy. It’s probably a good idea to toss a raincoat in your vehicle in the rare event that there’s rain in the forecast.

The parking lot is spacious and free. The ranger station may or may not be open. There are bathrooms at the trailhead. If you know you’re coming, please email Calley Hornbuckle at [email protected].

Date: Saturday, September 27th
Time: 11:00 Eastern Standard time / 10:00 Central Standard Time
Meet: Savage Gulf North Trailhead (Stone Door Ranger Station) Parking Lot
1183 Stone Door Road
Beersheba Springs, TN 37305
931-692-3887
Visitor Center: 931-924-2980
Hike: Savage Day Loop
Length 7 miles; 761 foot elevation gain; flat; lots of amazing overlooks
Alltrails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/alum-gap-campsite-via-laurel-trail-and-big-creek-rim-trail
Savage Gulf: https://www.friendsofsouthcumberland.org/uploads/8/3/1/4/83144530/savage-gulf.pdf
Savage Gulf: https://tnstateparks.com/assets/pdf/additional-content/so-cumberland-savage-gulf-map.pdf
Savage Gulf: https://www.cloudhiking.com/assets/images/maps/bigCreek.pdf

04/02/2025

🌲 **Attention Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga RPCVs!** 🌲

Get ready for a fun TNRPCV day hike at **Fall Creek Falls** on **Saturday, April 12th**! Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely stroll, this loop trail is perfect for all skill levels.

🗓 **Date**: Saturday, April 12
⏰ **Time**: 11:00 AM EST / 10:00 AM CST
📍 **Location**: Fall Creek Falls, Nature Center Parking Area
**Address**: 10821 Park Road, Spencer, TN

This beautiful **3.1-mile loop** will take you through the **George Overlook and Woodland Trails**. Expect “picturesque views” and “stunning viewpoints,” according to AllTrails. 🌄
There’s also an option to add another **2.5-mile Paw Paw loop** if you’re feeling adventurous!

**Important details**:
- **Hike**: 3.1 miles, moderate difficulty
- **Elevation**: 688 ft
- **Family-friendly**: Kids, friends, and dogs (on leash) are welcome!
- **Packing tips**: Water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray—and maybe a raincoat just in case!

🗺 AllTrails info: [George Overlook and Woodland Trails] (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/gorge-overlook-and-woodland-trails)
📄 Hiking Map: [Park Map] (https://tnstateparks.com/assets/pdf/additional-content/park-maps/24-fall-creek-falls-geo-map-2.pdf)

If you’re interested in sticking around afterward, we might have a cookout or continue with another hike, depending on interest! 🌭🔥

📧 RSVP or let us know you’re coming (or just a maybe!) by emailing: **[email protected]**

Can’t wait to see you there! 🌿👟

Send a message to learn more

04/02/2025

🌍✨ Join Us for an Inspiring Book Talk! ✨📚

Get ready to dive into the world of service with A Million Miles: My Peace Corps Journey. 🌏💙

When Jody Olsen enlisted as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia in 1966, she was fleeing familial tragedy and societal norms of her Salt Lake City upbringing. Her service in Tunisia upended her religious and cultural beliefs and propelled her into a six-decade career with the Peace Corps, culminating in her directorship of the agency.

🗓️ Save the Date: April 16, 7:00pm EDT
💻 Where: Virtual Event!

Don’t miss out – mark your calendars and register for the event here: https://museumofthepeacecorpsexperience.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F15724 ✨

02/26/2025

Hey Nashville TNRPCVs! Join us this Saturday, March 1st from 8:30 am - 11:30 am to volunteer at the W**d Wrangle hosted by Mill Creek Watershed Association and Friends of Mill Ridge Park on the Mill Creek Greenway near Orchard Bend Park.

If you plan to attend, please sign up on the Hands on Nashville site: https://handson.unitedwaygreaternashville.org/opportunity/a0CVN00002XuLx62AF/weed-wrangle-at-mill-creek-watershed-associationfriends-of-mill-ridge

Directions to Orchard Bend Park (parking lot): https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mill+Creek+Greenway+parking/@36.0284442,-86.6721146,18z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8864710eb8083ca5:0xa285b4742f107e1!8m2!3d36.0278686!4d-86.6710073!16s%2Fg%2F11lb7dllbt?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

We hope to see you there!

Please join us for a W**d Wrangle at Orchard Bend Park! W**d Wrangle® is a one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants. Supervised by an exper...

02/19/2025

📢 Reminder! Knoxville-Area RPCVs, join us this Sunday at Sitar Knoxille, 6004 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for our bimonthly get together. Can't wait to see everyone there! 🥳✨http://www.sitarknoxville.com/

Send a message to learn more

02/19/2025

Hey Nashville TNRPCVs! Join us this Sunday, February 23rd at 1:00pm for lunch at Taj Indian Restaurant for our first IDAT (International Dining Around Town) of the year!

If you plan to attend, please RSVP by sending us a message!

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAVL6QustxXksgxt9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

02/11/2025

Nashville area TNRPCVs - Join our upcoming events during Peace Corps Week!

Peace Corps Week commemorates March 1, 1961, the day that President John F. Kennedy established the agency. The annual celebration honors how the Peace Corps fosters connections and contributes to meaningful change—in the United States and around the world. Join other Nashville area TNRPCVs in the following events taking place during Peace Corps Week:

Sunday, February 23rd at 1:00pm - International Dining Around Town (IDAT)
Join us for lunch at Taj Indian Restaurant located in South Nashville.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/coT9Dwox6ccjG6jp9

Saturday, March 1st at 8:30am - Volunteer Opportunity
Join us for a day of volunteering at Mill Creek Watershed Association, Friends of Mill Ridge Park, and Hands on Nashville's W**d Wrangle event near Orchard Bend Park.
Please sign up for the event here: https://handson.unitedwaygreaternashville.org/opportunity/a0CVN00002XuLx62AF/weed-wrangle-at-mill-creek-watershed-associationfriends-of-mill-ridge

02/05/2025

The TNRPCV Board of Directors is happy to announce that we donated $500 to Seblewongel Ayalew's PCPP grant to promote sustainable fish farming and enhance food security through aquaculture at her local high school in Colombia.
https://www.peacecorps.gov/donate/projects/pp-25-514-002/

11/12/2024

TNRPCV November 2024 Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/64145478b266/september-2020-tn-returned-peace-corps-volunteers-newsletter-10145315