I want your inPUT

[dedhed]

I have been a member for a while and enjoy the site. I would like to ask you guys for some input. I am a currently a wildlife biologist about to make the move to park interpreter. I would like some suggestions regarding interpretive programs you have enjoyed, would like to see more of, or disliked- and why. Thanks in advance and Happy Camping in 2009

[CajunCamper]

I have been a member for a while and enjoy the site. I would like to ask you guys for some input. I am a currently a wildlife biologist about to make the move to park interpreter. I would like some suggestions regarding interpretive programs you have enjoyed, would like to see more of, or disliked- and why. Thanks in advance and Happy Camping in 2009

I love interpretive programs, as a matter of fact that's one of the first things I check out when I am planning a trip to a particular park. When my two boys were young, my wife and I spent 5 days in Florida at Gulf Island National Seashore aka Fort Pickens. One night we star gazed with a park ranger and about 20 volunteers that brought their telescopes and allowed those of us visiting the park to view the planets and stars through their telescopes. On another night we took a candle light tour of Fort Pickens, a Civil War Fort with two female Park Rangers, it was a tour we still talk about 10 years later. And on another night we met down on the shores of Pensacola Bay there in the parks for a program lead by a park ranger  and marine biologist. The kids were all given a square plastic bucket, a flashlight and a net. We waded around in knee deep water catch hermit crabs, starfish and other marine life as the ranger and marine biologist explained to the kids all about the sea critters. I also want to mention that there were no less than 20 people participating in the programs.

To me interpretive programs are a big part of our camping trips, that's why we stay in National Park and State Park campgrounds almost exclusively.

By the way, we typically like the interpretive programs offered at night, we tend to be off on our own during the day.

Good luck with your new job.

CajunCamper

[dedhed]

So it sounds like evenings as far as scheduling and make it as hands on as possible with kiddies.

thank you

[sacrawf]

I have been a member for a while and enjoy the site. I would like to ask you guys for some input. I am a currently a wildlife biologist about to make the move to park interpreter. I would like some suggestions regarding interpretive programs you have enjoyed, would like to see more of, or disliked- and why. Thanks in advance and Happy Camping in 2009

Congratulations on such an exciting job!

I also enjoy interpretive programs, but rarely see many for adults. One of my favorites has been a Tunnel Hike guided at the Clifty Falls State Park near Madison, IN. What was special is how much of an interest the interpreter (a summer intern) had taken in learning more than just the basic history of the area, but showing genuine excitement in sharing with the hikers.  Although it was her last day on the job, her excitement about the area was still genuine and contageous. A great bonus was a suggestion for extending the hike for those who chose after the group portion was completed.  

At the same the park interpreters provided an Easter Egg Hunt for those camping on Easter.  Although there weren't many Easter campers, you can be assured that there are some grateful families who will always check out the programs on future visits.  Likewise, an Illinois State Park organized a Halloween Parade.  The park staff decorated a park ATV and led a parade of costumed campers, young and old, walking and on bicycle, throughout the campground. (They even had a box of Tootsie rolls to throw out to the camping spectators.)

I saw an Arkansas State park had an introductory GPS program, introducing campers to GPS use with park-provided GPSRs.  The program was supposed to teach both geocaching and using the GPS on the trails. Having used GPS handhelds already for a couple of years I did not attend, but I thought this was a great idea for a program.  

The favorable geocaching attitude that Arkansas and Indiana has for geocaches really encourage us to stay in those parks.  Both Arkansas and Indiana State Parks have their own promoted geocaches.  Indiana has a downloadable "bingo card" that has various state parks on it.  You get a stamp by finding an interesting location at a state park where the cache is hidden and rubber stamp your card.  A completed card submitted goes into a drawing for prizes, encouraging use of multiple state parks.  In Arkansas, excellent multi-caches promoted by the park interpretative staff are challenging, take you to interesting features in the park, and are stocked with prizes from the park gift shop.  A good example is http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=854766e9-5b5c-4b97-a199-301ff13dd286.

I was a 4-H camp permanent staff member teaching horticulture in a fun setting to mainly urban teens and adult campers in 1981. One of our most popular programs was a hike pointing out the many insects in the area that are usually not even noticed on the hiking trail.

Another popular hike I led was a fall hike to gather grasses, flat river stones, and interesting dried plants, and coming back to the campground to make the found items into dried "flower" arrangements using glue gun, floral oasis, pics, floral tape, and wire. (We were able to do this because the 4-H camp, a state university owned property, had no prohibitions about collecting flowers, leaves, and the stones.)  I also had a full vegetable and flower demonstration gardens, taught flower arranging, made wall hangings from purchased dried flowers and wood chips from trees that had to be removed in the park, and taught now to do alfalfa/bean sprouting for salads with the camper keeping their sprouting jar and bag of mixed sprouting seeds.

A local county park has a "garden" area where the park staff propagates the native prairie plants that would be useful in a residential landsacpe. The turnout for their annual native plant sale is great.  I always thought that a hike that highlights these plants in their natural setting might be well attended.

New anglers have a lot of sources for information about developing their fishing skills, but little help in learing how to clean and cook their fish they wish to harvest.  I see that Indiana has been putting on an interpretive program giving hands-on instruction.  I think that is a great idea, although I have not been able to attend one.

Again, congratulations on the new position.  It will be a lot of work but rewarding!

[dedhed]

Lots of good info there, esp. the geocaching- had not given that one much thought- and its a good one. Thanks

[MotherNature]

Congratulations on the job!

Our family has always taken advantage of the programs that our camping parks have to offer.  We've enjoyed all of the programs that we've participated in (surf fishing, beach driving, bay kayaking, hayrides, and historical site tours).

All of these activities were fun to begin with, but what made them especially memorable and enjoyable was the information that the tour guides shared about the local area - whether it was its history, natural resources, flora and fauna, weather patterns, etc.  I think that often the things that the 'locals' assume are common sense/knowledge and/or boring are what the visitors find fascinating (because it usually contrasts with their 'home' area).  

Good luck & enjoy!