Sense of Place and the
Art of Interpretation
Training
Interpretive Training for Parks, Museums, Heritage Sites, and Mission-Based Organizations.
"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
Training to Elevate Your Interpretive Practice
Gain essential interpretive skills from a fresh perspective—while expanding the role of story, meaning, and place to create more engaging, relevant, and inclusive visitor experiences.
Honed through more than 15 years of in-the-field experience—including Erica’s work with over 45 National Park Service sites—this training provides tools participants can use to develop and deliver resonant programs, interpretive media, and plans that deepen connections between people and place.
Core Skills, Grounded Practice, Inspired Innovation
Designed for interpreters, educators, planners, media specialists, volunteers, and partners, Sense of Place and the Art of Interpretation supports the development and delivery of meaningful visitor experiences.
This training combines foundational best practices and inspires thoughtful innovation and a creative approach to working with complex stories, diverse audiences, and real-world site constraints.
Strengthens core skills in:
Content development
Narrative structure and sequencing
Engagement techniques
Inclusive program design
Choose from Four Training Formats
Sense of Place and the Art of Interpretation is offered in four flexible training levels—ranging from focused short skill-building sessions to comprehensive, multi-day programs. Each format draws from Erica’s core Sense of Place and Story Framework and is designed to meet different site needs, staffing capacity, and time constraints.
Onsite or online options available for all formats
1) Micro-Trainings
2 hours | Best for: Targeted needs, quick skill refreshers, busy teams.
Participants gain a practical tool they can immediately apply.
Choose from Three Session Options:
1) Craft a Sense of Place Story: How to use personal experiences to hone foundational story skills and deepen sense of place connections.
2) From Fact to Meaning: How to take facts and create a story that resonates and can become your program outline.
3) The Inclusive Technique Toolkit: Inspiration for innovation and techniques to engage different learning styles.
Team $1,500 (up to 15)
Individual/Cohort $125
2) Masterclasses
4 hours | Best for: focused skill development, practice-based learning, and peer feedback
Allows time to learn, implement, and integrate.
Choose from Two Session Options:
1) Master the Art of Sense of Place Stories: Develop skills to craft and deliver sense of place narratives. Practice to hone skills in the art of concise, effective storytelling.
2) Research and Develop a Sense of Place Narrative Sequence: Design experiences that are sequenced to unfold progressively, revealing the layers of depth, meaning, and complexity that sites, objects, and stories hold.
Team $2,500 (up to 15)
Individual/Cohort $250
3) Sense of Place Foundations
16 hours | Multi-day or Multi-week formats | Best for: establishing a shared framework, rethinking foundations, and conceptual alignment.
Helps elevate projects, program design, and planning.
Participants gain:
✓A foundational shift in interpretive approach
✓ A clear understanding of the Sense of Place and Story Framework
✓ A shared language for design and development
✓ Tools for designing programs, media, and planning that go beyond information giving
Includes Implementation Lab and 1:1 coaching sessions.
Team: $4,000 (up to 20)
Individual/Cohort: $400
4) Signature Training: Three Levels
Multi-day or multi-week formats, onsite or online
Best for: comprehensive skill development, applied outcomes, and program-ready experiences.
This signature training is offered in three levels. Each level functions as a complete, stand-alone training and may also be offered sequentially, with each level building on the skills and work of the previous one.
Suitable for: Seasonal onboarding · Program redevelopment · Staff skill advancement · Regional or cohort partnerships
Choose the level of depth that fits your goals.
1.Training Intensive (7 hours) A focused intensive centered on core skills in content development, narrative structure, and engagement techniques.
2. Skills Implementation (14 hours) Builds on foundational skills with time for application, practice, feedback, and refinement. Includes 1:1 coaching.
3. Full Signature Training: From Development to Delivery (21–24 hours). Builds on prior learning to polish a complete interpretive experience ready for delivery. Includes 1:1 coaching.
Investment: Custom, based on scope and format. Starts at $3,500
Contact Erica → Request training outlines
"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 come together in training that's been honed through years of in-the-field experience at parks, heritage sites, and museums nationwide—including over 45 National Park Service sites.
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.
What if interpretive training did more than build skills— but also restored your sense of purpose, presence, and creativity?
Sense of Place and the Art of Interpretation training combines skill-building practices and interpretive foundations within a learning environment that sparks creative solutions, inspires innovation, and provides time to deeply connect why this work matters.
Erica’s approach is both rigorous and renewing—building skills while helping participants reconnect with purpose. Her framework has been honed through years of in-the-field experience and polished by working with sites across the country.
Each format is grounded in her Sense of Place and Story Framework, and offers support for interpreters, educators, guides, and leaders at all levels—whether you’re just starting or decades into your career.
Participants leave with skills in content development, program design, and delivery techniques that transfer across programs, sites, and audiences. They also leave with renewed clarity and confidence they can carry into their ongoing work.
What you’ll Gain
This training supports sustained interpretive practice at both the individual and site level.
Participants gain:
Stronger interpretive technique
Clear narrative structure and program arcs
Practical tools they can apply immediately
Greater confidence working with complex content and layered narratives
A transferable framework adaptable across programs, sites, and audiences
Teams gain:
A shared language for continued development
Greater cohesion and collaboration
A renewed culture of creativity and innovation that carries forward
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 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 National Historical Park, AK
"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
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
Scheduling options:
Whether you’re looking for a focused skill-building session or a comprehensive training partnership, I can design a format that fits your goals, timeline, and capacity.
Bring this training to your team online or onsite or join a cohort.
Individuals: Join an open-enrollment cohort
Single sites: Host dedicated staff training
Regional partnerships: Collaborate across sites
Ready to get the conversation started?
For training details (PDF) or questions
Contact Erica →
