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Interpretative Walks Training Workshop
A Preliminary Outline for an Interpretive Walks Training Workshop

A Preliminary Outline for an Interpretive Walks Training Workshop
  1. Introductions
    1. Choose one person that:
      1. You know the least in the room
      2. Has not already been chosen
    2. Go stand by that person (Everyone should now be in pairs)
    3. Talk to this person to find out:
      1. Where they were raised
      2. What year they joined Nat. Parks
      3. What park they work at
      4. How long they have worked there
      5. Their position
      6. What other parks they have worked at
    4. Listen carefully and remember what they have told you without writing it down.
    5. Take your turn to introduce your partner to the group by telling them all of the above.
  2. What is Interpretation? "Nature Interpretation is the art and science of presenting programs about nature that create a link between the visitor and the natural world.."
  3. Interpretive Philosophy
    1. Freeman Tilden:
      1. PROVOKE audience interest (questions)
      2. REVEAL new knowledge
      3. RELATE to audience experience
      4. ADDRESS the whole picture
      5. UNIFY the message
    2. Why call it "interpretation"?
    3. The "Language" of Nature
      1. Sounds
      2. Colours
      3. Odours
      4. Behaviour
      5. Spoor
      6. Animal Signs
      7. Concealment
      8. Messages are intended for specific recipients, not usually humans
      9. Ecological Relationships
      10. Form and Function
    4. The Language of Tourists
      1. Blind and Deaf to the Language of Nature
      2. Over rely on their sense of sight alone
      3. Separated form Nature
      4. Skills of Ancestors are often Lost
      5. Most have a Longing for Reconnection
      6. Come from a World where Advertisers are Competing for their Attention with lights, sound and action
      7. Are becoming increasingly immune to subtle messages
    5. Being an Interpreter of Nature
      1. Must be fluent in both languages
      2. "Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn."
      3. Being an Interpreter is not the same as being a Scientist
      4. Merely the Interpreter, not the Star of the Show
  4. The Purpose of Interpretation: Why Parks need interpreters: client satisfaction, clients safety, resource protection, informed clients, prevention, park budget
  5. Who are Tourists?
    1. Internationals
      1. Spent huge sums to be here for a short time
      2. Every moment is precious
      3. May have "Big Five" orientation
      4. Informal – use first names
      5. May appear rude due to different cultures version of courtesy
      6. Speak their minds
      7. Come from safe, litigious societies
      8. Worldly
      9. Curious
      10. Have dreamt of coming to Africa for many years
      11. Have mystical feelings about Africa, instilled since childhood
    2. White Zimbabweans
      1. Attuned to the Bush (Give them problems to solve)
      2. Bush Knowledge and Experience (ask them questions)
      3. Little Fear
      4. Paternal
    3. Urban Zimbabweans
      1. Fearful
      2. Bush ignorant
      3. Ill-equipped
    4. Rural Zimbabweans
      1. Utilitarian orientation
      2. May fear wildlife
      3. Very formal
  6. The Tourist Experience
    1. They are on vacation to
      1. Relax
      2. Recreate
      3. Have fun
      4. Experience new things
      5. Escape the doldrums of their everyday life
    2. They pay your salary, so they are never a nuisance
  7. Interpretive Techniques
    1. Confidence
    2. Saying you don’t know
    3. Humour
    4. Personification
    5. Analogy
    6. Storytelling
    7. Encouraging Questions
    8. Involving your group – they are not an audience, they are participants in an experience
    9. Asking questions
      1. Balancing the didactic and the interrogative
      2. Asking only questions they are likely to know the answers to
      3. Bad questions
    10. Presenting Mysteries to solve
    11. Dealing with wrong answers
    12. Using all the senses
    13. Reading your group
  8. Game Walks Versus Game Drives
    1. What you cannot do in a car
    2. Adjusting the focus and magnification
  9. Game Walks Versus Interpretive Walks
    1. Client interest
    2. Mixed groups
    3. Disappointment vs. Excitement
    4. Who is in control
    5. Refocusing
    6. Fear factor
    7. An Interpretive Walk is
      1. a moving presentation
      2. that is carefully planned
      3. and rehearsed,
      4. thematic,
      5. interactive,
      6. dynamic
      7. and uses aspects of the environment as conceptual steps
      8. toward the attainment of an idea.
  10. Walk Themes
    1. What is a "theme"? A theme is an idea or concept to which all the planned stops of an interpretive walk relate.
    2. Why a theme? How we learn, not a hodgepodge of facts, how we remember, what we want them to remember.
    3. Possible themes
      1. Tracking
      2. Interpreting Nature Signs
      3. The "Little Five" and other microbeasts
      4. Medicinal Uses of Plants
      5. Natural Communities
      6. Interdependency
      7. Seasonal Changes
      8. Niches and Adaptations
      9. Your forte
  11. Designing and Preparing for a Walk
    1. Preparing yourself
      1. Appearance
      2. Full Uniform
      3. Clear mind
    2. Consider your Purpose
    3. Plan a theme
    4. Plan your route
    5. Plan your stops
    6. Plan your techniques
    7. Pre-hike your route
    8. Adjustments for weather
    9. Adjustments for natural events
    10. Adjustments for Clients
    11. Plan for Emergencies
    12. Coming prepared
      1. Weapon
      2. Radio
      3. First Aid
      4. Field Guides
      5. Ash bag
    13. Arrive Early!
  12. Customizing a Walk for Clients
    1. Age
    2. Fitness
    3. Culture
    4. Experience
    5. Interests
  13. Walk Introductions
    1. Greeting
      1. Don’t wait for everyone to arrive
      2. Make friends, they are far easier to please
      3. Eye contact
      4. Smile
      5. Act happy to see them
      6. Shake hands
      7. Introduce self: name, you can call me…, spell it
      8. Small talk questions: safari experience, how long in park, where from, first time in Zimbabwe/Park, first walk, interests?
      9. Small talk about yourself: position title, years of experience, other parks
    2. Walk Orientation
      1. Expectations – realistic ones are crucial to success!
      2. Length
      3. Terrain, difficulty
      4. Pace
      5. Encourage questions
    3. Safety Talk
      1. Explain why each rule is important
      2. Stay behind me
      3. Stay close together
      4. Follow my instructions without hesitation
      5. Do not run
      6. Signals
      7. No one ever injured
    4. Assess your clients
    5. Introduce your Theme (pe\resent a question)
  14. Trail Techniques
    1. Never take risks to impress your clients
    2. Set the Pace
    3. Walk slowly
    4. Pace for the slowest client
    5. The "Caboose Effect"
    6. Encourage clients to look around as well as down
    7. Always talk to the whole group
    8. Wait until the whole group is gathered before starting
    9. Stand in the middle of the group when stopped
      1. Send ahead technique
      2. Walk back technique
    10. You look into the sun
    11. Take advantage of teachable moments
    12. Demonstrate an enthusiasm for
      1. What you find
      2. Beauty
      3. Adaptations
      4. Ecological Relationships
      5. Nature in general
      6. Your clients!
  15. Walk Conclusions
    1. "I hope you have enjoyed our walk."
    2. Mention theme and main concept(s)
    3. Review special moments
    4. Invite to museum/tourist office
    5. Where you can be found next
    6. Invite to next event
    7. Invite to linger and talk
    8. Thank them for coming to park
    9. Wish them an enjoyable stay
  16. Practicals Practice
    1. Form groups of ___
    2. No two people from the same park (one main camp in each group)
    3. Each group must have one weapon
    4. Each group member must conduct at least on part of the interpretive walk
    5. Design an Interpretive Mini-Walk (see outline #10). Include THEME.
    6. Plan your Walk Introduction (#13)
    7. Plan 3 (only) stops
    8. Plan your walk conclusion (#15)
    9. Pre-hike your route
    10. Designate roles for each group member.
    11. Harmless critique.
    12. Be ready by _____
  17. Practical Presentations
  18. Conclusion
© Siren Conservation Education 2003.