Sense of Place and the
Art of Interpretation

Interpretive Training Grounded in Story, Meaning, and Place
for Parks, Museums, Heritage Sites, and Mission-Based Organizations

Sense of Place and the Art of Interpretation is rooted in an approach that expands interpretive practice by exploring how meaning takes shape through story and relationship to place—and how those meanings guide program design, delivery, and engagement.

Erica’s approach to training is both rigorous and renewing. It has been honed through decades of in-the-field experience and refined through work with parks, museums, and heritage sites across the country.

Grounded in her Sense of Place and Story Framework, Erica supports program development for interpreters, educators, guides, and leaders at all levels—from those just starting out to those seeking to deepen and refine long-established practice.

Training is offered in a variety of formats and designed to work within today’s constraints of time, funding, and capacity.

"We brought Erica in to help us master the art of storytelling and to learn how to share the meaning of these places even more effectively. When we worked with Erica before, it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. I was thrilled by seeing the growth in rangers and the inspiration they gleaned." — National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, DC

How This Training Is Applied

This training is applied through a sequenced set of tools and practices that support interpreters in making clear, intentional decisions throughout the interpretive process.

Rather than a set formula a focus on one specific technique this training focuses on how interpreters work with place, story, and meaning—supporting decisions related to framing, narrative structure, sequencing, and engagement.

Across formats, the emphasis is on practical application—helping interpreters strengthen existing work, clarify choices, and design programs that are coherent, engaging, and responsive to their site and audience.

Flexible enough to be used across disciplines and experience levels, this framework helps teams develop a shared language and grow collaboratively.

Teams and individuals can engage this work through several training formats, outlined below.

""I used to DREAD the outline process. I would be stuck in the muck for days. Erica has given me the boots I need for this terrain! I will definitely use the tools/techniques and am inspired to create great visitor experiences."


— Sitka National Historical Park, AK

Training Formats


Sense of Place and the Art of Interpretation is Erica’s signature training program and offers a comprehensive learning experience. The options below include different scopes and durations, making it easier for organizations and individuals to choose what fits their goals, time, and capacity.

Each format stands on its own while also connecting naturally to deeper learning.
All formats are available onsite or online.

Suitable for: Seasonal onboarding · Program redevelopment or training refresher · Staff advancement · Regional or cohort partnerships · Interpretive media design · Interpretive planning

For Teams
Organizations, sites, or partnerships may schedule training directly for staff or collaborators. These trainings support immediate application for onboarding, skill refresh, program redevelopment, or regional collaboration.
Request training dates and availability →

For Individuals
Individuals may participate in a cohort when offered Sense of Place Consulting or in partnership with organizations such as the National Association for Interpretation (NAI).
Get notified when the next cohort opens →

Option 1: Micro-Trainings

2 hours | $1,500 (up to 15 participants)
Best for targeted needs, quick skill refreshers, and busy teams.
Participants gain one focused tool they can apply immediately.

Available sessions:

  1. Craft a Sense of Place Story – Strengthen story skills and deepen sense-of-place awareness

  2. From Fact to Meaning – Turning information into resonant program outlines

  3. The Inclusive Technique Toolkit – Inspiration and techniques for engaging different learning styles

Request the Training Buyer’s Guide For Details  →

Option 2: Masterclasses

4 hours | $2,500 (up to 15 participants)
Best for focused skill development, practice-based learning, and peer feedback.
Allows time to learn, integrate and implement new skills.

Available sessions:

  1. Master the Art of Sense of Place Stories – Crafting and delivering concise, effective narratives

  2. Developing Narrative Sequences – Designing experiences that connect through place and story

Request the Training Buyer’s Guide For Details  →

Option 3: Sense of Place Foundations

12 hours | Multi-day or multi-week formats | $3,800 (up to 20 participants)
Best for establishing a sense of place conceptual alignment and a shared framework for teams
Supports all roles and levels. Suitable for program design, interpretive media, and planning.
Includes implementation labs and 1:1 coaching sessions.

Participants gain:
A foundational shift in interpretive approach
Understanding of the Sense of Place Story Framework
Shared language for design and development
Tools that go beyond information delivery

Request the Training Buyer’s Guide For Details  →

Option 4: Signature Training (Three Levels)

Best for comprehensive skill development, applied outcomes, and program-ready experiences.
Each level may stand alone or build sequentially. These sessions are for up to 20 participants.

  1. Intensive (7 hours) $3,500 + travel
    Core skills in content development, narrative structure, and engagement

  2. Implementation (14 hours) $4,500 + travel
    Applied practice, feedback, and refinement. Includes 1:1 coaching

  3. Comprehensive: From Development to Delivery (25 hours) $5,500 + travel
    Polished interpretive experience ready for delivery. Includes 1:1 coaching

Interested in a training?
Start the Conversation →

Request the Training Buyer’s Guide →

Participants Gain:

✓ Stronger interpretive techniques
✓ Clear narrative structure and program arcs
✓ Practical tools they can apply immediately to programs, media and planning
✓ Greater confidence working with complex content and layered narratives
✓ A transferable framework adaptable across programs, sites, and contexts

Teams Gain:

✓ Shared language for developing and refining interpretive work
✓ Greater cohesion and collaboration across roles and experience levels
✓ Stronger alignment between individual practice and site-wide goals
✓ More consistency and quality across programs, media, and visitor experiences

Meet Your Trainer

Erica Wheeler is an interpretive trainer, visitor experience specialist, and founder of Sense of Place Consulting.

Her background in natural history, conservation, writing, and the performing arts come together in training that's been honed through decades of in-the-field experience supporting teams across parks, heritage sites, and museums nationwide.

Erica's programs help interpreters bring more presence and purpose into their work, offering tools and practices to elevate skills, avoid burnout, and stay aligned with what matters most.

Prior Training Sites Include

National Park Service (45+ sites): Yosemite NP · Independence NHP · Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP · National Mall and Memorial Parks · Acadia NP · Cape Cod NS · Everglades NP · Great Smoky Mountains NP · Mesa Verde NP · Denali NP & Preserve · Hot Springs NP · White Sands NP · Women’s Rights NHP · Gateway NRA · Fort Stanwix NM · Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP · Saint-Gaudens NHP · and many more

Professional Organizations and Museums: National Association for Interpretation (NAI) · American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) · New England Museum Association (NEMA)

State Parks, Historic Sites and Conservation Organizations: State Parks ·Historical Societies · Regional Land Trusts and Conservation Groups

"I observed my staff applying Erica's approach and feel that the level of programs this year was just outstanding. Even our more 'science-based' interpreters brought in more of the emotional, reflective techniques. Her ideas were especially effective for creating that baseline of connection that leads to meaningful dialogue."
— Cape Cod National Seashore, MA

What Team Leaders Say

  • “Erica provided our interpretive staff with a fresh angle on interpretation, new techniques, and the opportunity to stretch and experiment. Our interpreters strengthened and re-imagined their approach to sharing our resources with visitors. This training served as a solid foundation for our seasonal training."
    — Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP & Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site

  • “With everyone, from our permanent to seasonal rangers, I noticed changes right away. After the training, they had adjusted the structure of their program and had a clearer theme. They seemed to have found their focus and grew from there." — Women's Rights NHP, NY

What Participants Say

  • “I've attended numerous sessions throughout my career, and I honestly feel that this was the best, most energetic, true feeling workshop about what we do and love."
 — Howard County Parks and Recreation, MD

  • “Re-energizing for even the most seasoned staff."
 — Fort Stanwix National Historic Site

  • “This is a paradigm shift for interpretation and creates a gift to offer visitors.” 
— Bandelier National Monument

What if interpretive training did more than build skills—or reinforce familiar foundations? What if it also strengthened purpose, presence, and creativity in the work itself?

How This Approach Is Different

This training strengthens foundational interpretive skills while expanding creative capacity. Participants leave with clearer, more intentional programs—and a deeper connection to their work and to why it matters.

They learn to apply a place-centered approach to program design. In practice, this means rather than starting with “What information do we want to convey?” they instead ask: “How do I want visitors to experience this place?”

From that orientation, interpreters work with sequenced tools and practices that guide decisions about content, structure, and delivery throughout the interpretive process.

Inclusive by nature, place-centered programs share the layers of time, story, and perspective that places hold. Narrative unfolds in ways that reflect how people come to know a place—not just how information is organized—resulting in programs that are grounded, resonant, and responsive to site and audience.

Participants leave with refined programs, clearer interpretive choices, and the confidence to carry this approach forward into their ongoing practice.

Bring this training to your team, or join a cohort of peers

Interested in a Training?
Start the Conversation →

Request the Training Buyer’s Guide →

For teams
Request training dates and availability →

For Individuals
Get notified when the next cohort opens →