““This training served as a solid foundation for our seasonal training and complimented prior training around audience-centered engagement techniques, peer coaching, and resource content.” ”
a fresh approach for connecting People and Place
Designed for interpreters, educators, museums, conservation organizations and others whose work involves connecting people and place.
Proven tools and techniques
This training provides a fresh approach and proven tools and techniques to improve skills in interpretation, creative thinking, storytelling, program design, audience engagement and team-building.
Empowers your team to give effective, well-rounded programs.
Customized to meet your staff development needs, including training new, seasonal, returning and career staff, as well as volunteers, managers and partners. Customized for all site types; from wild to urban and from military to historic.
Field Tested
Erica has offered her Sense of Place and the Art of Interpretation Interpretive Skills Training for the staff at over 30 National Parks and other sites. See client list below.
For Federal Agencies: Erica is a registered independent contractor in the SAM system.
Tools and Techniques to Master the Art of Interpretation
for stronger Audience engagement
✓ Empower creative thinking
✓ Design and deliver well-balanced programs
✓ Cultivate teamwork and collaboration
✓ Energize staff and mitigate burnout
Training Options
1. Core Curriculum Intensive [1-Day Format]
The one-day format structure follows seven segments that lead participants on a comprehensive learning journey that empowers creativity and offers a fresh or renewed understanding of the art and science of interpretation. Participants gain skills in program delivery and team building, and outline a well balanced program to engage diverse visitors.
This signature training is customized for your site and works for all levels of experience, from new hires to seasoned staff.
Contact Erica for sample agenda, formats, pricing, logistics and other questions.
““Re-energizing for even the most seasoned staff”
”
2. Interpretive Skills Boot-camp [2-Day Format]
This two day format builds on the one day training and allows time for participants to practice and integrate the ideas and skills gained in day one.
The second day allows time develop ideas, build on personal strengths and work collaboratively with others. Participants gain experience offering a complete well-balanced program as a collaborative team. This format allows time for valuable peer and instructor feedback.
Contact Erica for sample agenda, formats, pricing, logistics and other questions.
““I see how I can apply this to tours that seem stale.”
Montana State Historical Society”
3. Master The Art of Interpretation [3-day Format]
This three day format empowers staff to design, develop and deliver fresh programs.
The third day allows time for participants to develop and practice their ideas, and get additional support for program development and delivery. Participants offer their programs as practice, increasing their confidence in delivery style and honing their techniques for increased audience engagement.
Contact Erica for sample agenda, formats, pricing, logistics and other questions.
““I’m inspired to use the toolbox we’ve been given in my interpretive programs. I’m excited to use these new techniques.” ”
4. Follow Up Master Class [follow up/Return Visit]
This follow-up master class builds on the previous training time to reinforce ideas, practice techniques and further support staff with collaborative program development and individual coaching/support. This can be further customized to support your current staffing needs and priorities.
Contact Erica for sample agenda, formats, pricing, logistics and other questions.
““I’ve attended numerous session throughout my career, and I honestly feel that this was the best, most energetic, true feeling workshop about what we do and love.”
”
Additional Programs
Introductory Seminar
Especially for volunteers, this hands-on, interactive session provides an interpretive overview and offers techniques to hone program delivery. Excellent for team-building to get the season started. (Limited availability) [75 min. to half day]
Sense of Place Tourism
Designed to foster collaborative exchange between stakeholders, community members, organizational staff and others through cultivating and sharing sense of place stories. This work helps generate fresh ideas, boost creativity, team-build and discover strategies that enrich a sense of place and belonging.
Can include training, in-the-field training, keynote performance.
Contact Erica for sample agenda, formats, pricing, logistics and other questions.
Client List
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
Other Training sites
Arkansas State Parks Spring Training
Historic Deerfield
Idaho State Parks and Recreation Conference
Maryland Parks and Recreation Association Conference
Montana State Parks Spring Training
National Park Service Interpretive Training
Acadia NP
Adams NHP
Assateague Island NS
Bandelier NM
Big Thicket NP
Cape Cod NS
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
Hopewell Furnace NHS
Hot Springs NP
Independence NHP
John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS
Marsh Billings Rockefeller NHS
Mesa Verde NP
National Mall and Memorial Parks
Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
Feedback
"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
"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. I personally used her techniques in my programs and found they were incredibly powerful every time, with all ages. We're looking forward to continuing to use what we learned." Cape Cod National Seashore, MA
"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 and complimented prior training around audience-centered engagement techniques, peer coaching, and resource content.” Marsh-Billings-Rockerfeller NHP & Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
"You are missing out if you aren't trying to book Erica for your upcoming workshop or training event. Her work with the ‘sense of place’ concept through her Soulful Landscape workshop provides excellent hands-on exercises in an area that is so often perceived as intangible, while her keynote was just the dose of inspiration we needed.” Chief of Interpretation, Arkansas State Parks and Tourism
Participants
"As a marine, I don’t always feel comfortable expressing philosophical or emotional feeling with strangers. However, these activities encouraged just that and the universally positive responses encouraged me further.” Yosemite National Park, CA
"Re-energizing for even the most seasoned staff" Ft. Stanwix National Historic Site
"I would definitely recommend this component to all career NPS interpreters." National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, DC
"I see how I can apply this to tours that seem stale." Montana State Historical Society
"I've attended numerous session 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, Columbia, MD
“I’m inspired to use the toolbox we’ve been given in my interpretive programs. I’m excited to use these new techniques.” Acadia National Park, ME
"Erica creates a kind of alchemy in the room where even the most timid of us is inspired to find the writer within. She gave us new tools and reminded me of tools I once knew and had long forgotten. She inspired me to get back to an interpretive project I had put aside which I am now working on with renewed enthusiasm and focus." National Association for Interpretation