U.S. Forest Service University, Interpretive media
workshop. Jacksonville, FL

Schmeeckle Reserve Interpreters

Interpretive Workshops & Training

Our team provides interactive workshops, courses, field trips, and other training opportunities to enhance the profession of interpretation. Workshops are designed around the skills and interests of each audience.

Depending on the needs of the group, training sessions can range from an hour to several days. Some topics include: personal interpretation, media planning and design, exhibit planning and design, nature and visitor centers, theme development, byways interpretation, wildlife interpretation, trail planning.

Training sessions are designed to be interactive and hands-on, highlighting practical ideas and encouraging participant discussion.

​Recent Workshops and Training Conducted

  • "Interpretive Design for Amphitheaters" (1 hour). Traced the evolution of amphitheaters in parks, showcasing the planning process and illustrating good design principles. National Association for Interpretation Conference, Denver, Colorado. November 2019.
  • "Second Star to the Right: Developing Interpretive Plans that Guide the Way" (1 hour). Using Peter Pan as inspiration, participants were invited to enter the "Neverland" of interpretive planning by sharing several case studies, "Tinker Bell tips," and "Tick-Tock pitfalls." National Association for Interpretation Conference, Spokane, Washington. November 2017.
  • "Intergenerational Programming: How Do Participants Interact?" (1 hour). This graduate presentation provided insight into research that analyzed whether mixed-age participants in a nature-based program would affect their behavior in time spent outside. National Association for Interpretation Conference, Corpus Christie, Texas. November 2016.
  • “2016 Wayside Olympics” (1 hour). Provided opportunities for audience to “judge” wayside exhibits based on design and message criteria. National Association for Interpretation Conference, Corpus Christie, Texas. November 2016.
  • “The Meanings of Meanings" (1 hour). Meaning-making is central to interpretation. This "round table" presentation offered different perspectives of "meaning-making" by characters from a diversity of disciplines throughout time. National Association for Interpretation Conference, Virginia Beach. November 2015. Watch a video of the session below!
  • “Pilgrimage to the Past: Discovering Interpretation’s Guiding Roots" (1 hour). Character interpretation session that traced the evolution of the interpretive profession from the ancient role of guiding. Chosen as one of a few sessions to be offered in a webinar format. National Association for Interpretation Conference, Reno, Nevada. November 2013. Watch a video of the session below!
  • "Interpreting Iowa’s Scenic Byways" (1 day). Topics included: Fundamentals of byway interpretation, connecting resources to stories, interpretive planning, and interpretive media options. Explored various mobile technology applications. Ames, Iowa. September 2013.
  • “Wayside Olympics for Byways” (1 hour). Focused specifically on developing effective wayside exhibits along scenic byways and trails. National Scenic Byways Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota. August 2011.
  • “2010 Wayside Olympics” (1 hour). Provided opportunities for audience to “judge” wayside exhibits based on design and message criteria. National Association for Interpretation, Las Vegas, Nevada. November 2010. 
  • "Searching for the Mother Road-Planning Interpretive Experiences on Route 66" (1 hour). Described the interpretive planning process for the Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway. National Association for Interpretation, Hartford, Connecticut. November 2009.
  • “Interpreting Iowa's Scenic Byways" (2 days). Topics included: Fundamentals of byway interpretation, byway interpretive planning, byway media options, byway facilities and exhibits, and working with consultants. Included a field experience to Reed/Niland Corner interpretive site. Ames, Iowa. October 2009. Click here to see workshop presentations and documents
  • “Creating Better Visitor Centres" (2 days). Topics included: Fundamentals of interpretation, planning for interpretive centres, media for interpretive centres, and designing and developing successful centres. Included a field experience to Great Orme Country Park Visitor Center. Interpret Wales, Llandudno, Wales. October 2008. Click here to see workshop presentations and documents
  • “Step Over the Line: Beat a Sign" (1 hour). Analyzed types and reasons for vandalism. Participants vandalized various sign materials to determine which were most resistant and fixable. National Association for Interpretation, Wichita, KS. November 2007. Click here to see workshop results
  • “Planning Byway Facilities” (1 hour). National Scenic Byways Conference, Baltimore, MD in May, 2007
  • “2006 Wayside Olympics” (1 hour). Provided opportunities for audience to “judge” wayside exhibits based on design and message criteria. National Association for Interpretation, Albuquerque, NM. November 2006.
  • “Artifacts, Objects, and Interpretation” (2 hours). National Association for Interpretation, Mobile, AL. November 2005.
  • “Interpretive Media Workshop” (4 days). U.S. Forest Service University, Jacksonville, FL. March 2005.
  • “Enhancing Interpretive Services” discussion (3 hours). International Wolf Foundation, Minneapolis, MN. December 2004.
  • “Power of Objects” presentation (2 hours). National Association for Interpretation at Grand Rapids, MI. November 2004.
  • “Interpretive Media Workshop” (3 days). U.S. Forest Service University, Cincinnati, Ohio. March, 2004.
  • “Interpretive Technology” presentation (1 hour). National Association for Interpretation at Sparks, NV. November, 2003.
  • “Interpretive Centers” workshop (2 days). Included analysis of several visitor centers in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby Centre, Scotland. September/October, 2003.
  • “Interpreting Byways” workshop (16 hours of instruction in 4 sessions). National Scenic Byways Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. May, 2003.
  • “National Scenic Byways Interpretation” workshop (4 days). Stevens Point, Wisconsin. September, 2002.
  • “Historic National Road Theme Development” workshop (2 days). National Scenic Byways, Richmond, Indiana. September, 2002.
  • “National Scenic Byways Interpretation” workshop (4 days). Logan, Utah. August, 2002.
  • “Great River Road Interpretation and Theme Development” workshop (3 days). National Scenic Byways–Mississippi Corridor Commission, St. Louis, Missouri. May, 2002.
  • “Signs, Trails and Wayside Exhibits” workshop (4 days). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Training Center, West Virginia.