These are some good "goals" for building the theme for an interpretive hike -- one of the first considerations.

Planning the Hike: the leader should ask himself or herself:

1) Where do you want to go? (What is the primary purpose of the interpretation?)

2) How are you going to get there? (What specific kinds of information need to be conveyed to give the audience the necessary background info to understand the topic and what specific sites or objects can be found along the trail lend themselves to illustrating the theme you are presenting? Each "stop" along the trail should be like a building block that helps construct a clearer understanding and greater appreciation. If the topic is wildlife-related for example, the hike leader needs to select an area where

wildlife (or at least signs of wildlife) are likely to be seen.

3) Who's going along for the ride? (What is the knowledge or interest level of the audience?) In customer service you first find out what the audience wants -- then you give it to them. The more you know about your audience and what they will likely find relevant in the environment to where they live, the better chance you can form that bridge between the audience and the object of your interpretation. Remember Tilden's tip: RELATE. Sometimes you use metaphors or analogies to compare the unknown with the

familiar. Look for things along the hike that let you compare and contrast new discoveries on the trail with things familiar to your audience. Put big numbers or statistics into a familiar context.

4) What are the stopping points along the way? (Inventory and plan your "stops" along the trail to take advantage of unique features, vistas, or even "plant" the trail with objects that will illustrate your talk.)

5) What is your plan for emergencies if hiking in remote areas? Take a radio or some form of communication to call for emergency assistance or know where the nearest phone is, etc. Have someone responsible stay with the "victim" and send a pair of hikers to get help. Let someone at the headquarters know where you are going and when you plan to return so they will know where to look for you if you get lost or encounter an emergency situation.

Practical Considerations:

1) Prehike your trail -- as part of the planning process and again the same day or day before to be sure there are not going to be any surprises you can't deal with. Use this as an opportunity to inventory any items you might not know about and want to research ahead of time. Especially important if there is some conspicuous plant or other object along the trail that will likely draw inquiries. Rehearse your "stops" along the trail (or mark them) and use them to cue your talk.

2) Give them the rules at the start of the hike: Stay on the trail, don't go ahead of the hike leader, stay together as a group, don't turn on flashlights until told to, don't talk loudly, etc. Find out if anyone has any special needs or medical issues (hard of hearing – move them closer to you, allergic to insects -- skip the bee hive stop, heart condition -- let them rest on the bench while you climb the volcano, etc.)

3) If you know of any dangers along the trail, warn the hikers. Have them bring insect repellent, wear sturdy shoes, not walk close to cliff edges or put hands or feet where they cannot see them (and a venemous snake could be hiding) etc.

4) Begin with a question (Tilden's PROVOKE) and see if at the end of your hike, the audience can deduce the answer using questioning techniques. The hike becomes a kind of puzzle with a story that reveals the answer(s).

5) When you get to a stop, walk halfway back to the group or position yourself so everyone can hear you talk and see the object you are pointing to -- or somehow point out the object so everyone can see. Ask if everyone can hear you speak at your first stop.