Sense of Place and the Art of Interpretation
Build skills that transform how visitors connect to place, story, and meaning.
"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
What if interpretive training did more than build skills—but also restored your sense of purpose, presence, and creativity?
Erica provides a practical and creative approach to interpretation. Her training offers a fresh look at interpretive foundations and best practices in a learning environment that sparks innovation, inspires solutions to today’s challenges, and offers time to deeply align with why this work matters.
Participants leave with:
✓ Stronger interpretive techniques
✓ Clear narrative structure and program arcs
✓ Practical tools they can apply immediately
✓ Greater confidence working with complex content
✓ Foundational interpretive fluency that transfers across programs, sites, stories, and audiences
Teams gain:
✓ Shared language for further development
✓ Sense of cohesion and collaboration
✓ Spirit of innovation that lasts throughout the season and beyond
Gain skills that transform how visitors connect to place, story, and meaning.
Based on more than 15 years of in-the-field experience, Erica Wheeler has trained interpreters, educators, and guides for parks, museums, and historic sites nationwide, including training for over 45 National Park Service sites —from Yosemite to Independence Hall, and from Hawaii Volcanoes to the National Mall.
Her approach is both rigorous and renewing—building practical skills while helping participants reconnect with why this work matters.
Her Sense of Place and Story Framework, her approach has been honed so that every tool provided can be immediately applicable. You will be able to design experiences that do more than provide information, and use the tools you gain to inspire genuine connections.
Three Ways to Train With Erica
All trainings can be delivered online or onsite. Travel fees additional for on-site delivery
Micro-Trainings
2-Hour Sessions
Elevate your programs and your staff with a focused new skill and fresh perspective. Each session includes a worksheet for ongoing practice and insight.
Ideal for:
Choose from Three Trainings:
Craft a Sense of Place Story
Gain foundational story skills and deepen personal sense of place connections. Touchstone Story Worksheet.
From Fact to Meaning
Use facts to create a story that resonates. Sketch out a meaningful program outline idea you can use right away. Program in Your Pocket Worksheet.
Build an Inclusive Technique Toolkit Get inspired to apply a variety of techniques that engage different learning styles. Technique Toolkit Template.
Investment:
Join a cohort: $145 per person (when scheduled)
Bring to your team: $1,500 (up to 15 participants, online or onsite)
2. Masterclasses
4-Hour Sessions
A deeper dive to learn,
integrate, and implement. Includes support to absorb and apply skills gained with peer support and instructor guidance.
Ideal for:
Choose from Two Trainings:
Craft and Deliver Sense of Place Stories Develop skills in creating and delivering sense of place narratives. Practice personal and site-based stories to hone the art of concise, effective storytelling.
Develop a Sense of Place Sequence Craft narrative experiences that unfold progressively regardless of site constraints. Skillfully share the layers of time, meaning, and complexity that sites, objects, and events hold.
Investment:
Join a cohort: $250 per person (when scheduled)
Bring to your team: $2,500 (up to 15 participants, online or onsite)
3. Multi-Day and
Multi-Week Formats
7 to 21 Hours
Comprehensive Training for
Foundations and Skill Building
Deep-dive training that transforms your team's approach to program content, sequencing and impact.
Ideal for:
Choose from Two Tracks
Track A: Sense of Place Foundations Learn the philosophy and framework to shift your approach to program design and planning. 16-hour program Write for format and fees options.
Track B: Interpretive Skills Training
Build concrete skills in story craft, delivery, and engagement
Choose your level: (up to 20 participants.
Foundation (8 hours): Core skills in storytelling and content design.
Skills Development (16 hours)
Develop and deliver an inclusive, well-sequenced program or experience
Mastery (24 hours) Craft and deliver a refined program ready to give.
Investment: Ask for full formats/fees PDF
Individual: $350 to $550
Teams: $3,500 to $5,500
"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
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 all come together in her training, which has been honed through years of in-the-field experience working with parks, heritage sites, museums, and other organizations across the country. Her expertise includes providing training for the staff at over 45 National Park Service sites since 2013.
Erica's programs help interpreters bring more presence and purpose into their work. Her training offers tools and practices to elevate skills, avoid burnout, and stay aligned with what matters most.
1) Micro-Trainings
2-Hours | Online or Onsite
Focused sessions to gain a tool you can apply right away. Elevate your programs with a new skill and a fresh perspective.
Choose from Three Session Options:
1) Craft a Sense of Place Story: Gain foundational story skills and deepen personal sense of place connections.
2) From Fact to Meaning: Take a fact and create a story that resonates and can become your program outline.
3) Build an Inclusive Technique Toolkit: Get inspired to apply techniques that will engage different learning styles.
Individual $125
Team $1,500 (up to 15)
Travel fees are additional
2) Masterclasses
4-Hours | Online or Onsite
A deeper dive to learn, integrate, and practice a concept. Includes time to practice, refine, and develop a skill with peer support and instructor guidance.
Choose from Two Session Options:
1) Craft and Deliver Sense of Place Stories: Develop skills in creating and delivering sense of place narratives. Practice a personal and site-based story to hone the art of concise, effective storytelling.
2.) Develop a Sense of Place Sequence: Craft narrative experiences that are sequenced to unfold progressively, revealing the layers of depth, meaning, and complexity sites, objects, and stories hold.
Individual $250
Team $2,500 (up to 15)
Travel fees are additional
3) Comprehensive Training
7 to 21-hours | Online or Onsite
Multi-day or Multi-week formats Intensive training to move from idea to implementation and from knowledge to mastery.
Two Training Tracks:
A. Sense of Place Foundations
Learn the philosophy and framework to shift your approach to program design and planning.
4 Core Modules + optional 2-Module Application Lab
B. Interpretive Skills Training
Implement skills gained to craft and deliver programs and media that deeply connect people and place.
Three formats: Intensive (7 hrs) | Skills (14 hrs) | Comprehensive (30 hrs)
Individual $300-$550
Team $3,000-$5,500 (up to 20)
Travel fees are additional
"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 provided a solid foundation for our seasonal training." — Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP & Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
“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. Thank you for the gift of this outstanding training.”
Sitka NHP, AK
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 all come together in her training, which has been honed through years of in-the-field experience working with parks, heritage sites, museums, and other organizations across the country. Her expertise includes providing training for the staff at over 45 National Park Service sites since 2013.
Erica's programs help interpreters bring more presence and purpose into their work. Her training offers tools and practices to elevate skills, avoid burnout, and stay aligned with what matters most.
Happy Clients
Ready to Bring This Training to Your Site?
Whether you're looking for a quick skill-building session or comprehensive team training, let's discuss what fits your needs, timeline, and budget.
Request a Free Consultation — Let's discuss what training format fits your team's needs
Request Training Menu (PDF)— I’ll send you the list of detailed descriptions and pricing for all offerings
Ask for more info. Reach out anytime.
Prior Trainings
National Park Service Sites
Acadia NP
Adams NHP
Assateague Island NS
Bandelier NM
Big Thicket NP
Cape Cod NP
Denali National Park and Preserve
Everglades NP
Fredrick Law Olmsted NHS
Ft. Stanwix NHS
Gateway NRA
Governors Island NM
Grant-Khors NHS Great Sands NP Great Smokies NP Hawai’i Volcanoes NP John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS Hopewell Furnace NHSHot Springs NP Independence NHP Marsh Billings Rockefeller NH Mesa Verde NP National Mall and Memorial Parks
Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
Organ Pipe Cactus NM
Petrified Forest NP
Salem Maritime NHS
Saint Gaudens NHS
Sagamore Hill NHS
Saugus Iron Mill NHS
Springfield Armory NHS
White Sands NM
Women's Rights NHP
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Yosemite NP
Participants leave with:
✓ Stronger interpretive techniques
✓ Clear narrative structure and program arcs
✓ Practical tools they can apply immediately
✓ Greater confidence working with complex content
✓ Foundational interpretive fluency that transfers across programs, sites, stories, and audiences
Teams gain a:
✓ Shared language for further development
✓ Sense of cohesion and collaboration
✓ Spirit of innovation that lasts throughout the season and beyond.
Results:
“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