Shared by Christen Miller, Sammy Zambon, Patrick McFall and Kristen Uerz, as Guest Blogger.

At every Virginia State Park you’ll see references to interpretive programs and to interpreters, a question we get asked a lot is “What language do you interpret?”

And the answer is – we speak for the trees…or the history….or the culture

Virginia State Park Interpreters translate what our parks are all about, hold workshops that help people explore and enjoy the resources available, reveal meanings and relationships inherent in our sites, and provide opportunities for you to make connections and build memories.

The following paragraphs explain what the Virginia State Parks interpretive programs mean to the Central Office Interpretation and Visitor Experience staff:

What interpretation means to…

Christen Miller, Visitor Experience Director

Virginia State Parks are so much more than what meets the eye. There are layers of stories that range from prehistoric times to modern day, and include history, nature, culture, and geology. Interpreters tell the stories of our parks so our guests can have a deeper understanding of what these precious resources mean, explore the relevancy to themselves of both the resources and how we manage them, and discover ways they can be good stewards of the Commonwealth's treasures both in the parks and in their own communities. Interpretation can reveal the heart and soul of a site in a fun, enjoyable, and experiential way.

What interpretation means to…

Sammy Zambon, Visitor Experience Specialist

Long before I knew what it was, I participated in interpretive programs. As a child my mother would take me to the local nature center where we would join the staff for programs on waterfowl, owls, and all the other creatures that go bump in the night. Interpretation was a doorway that leads to my own exploration of the world around me, and a way to find what it all meant to me.

As an art form, interpretation teases out the significance inherent in the resources and ties them to our human stories in a way that makes them more accessible to the participant. In effect, it can be the key that opens the door for your own explorations, which can last a lifetime.

What interpretation means to:

Patrick McFall, Visitor Experience Specialist

When Freeman Tilden wrote the Interpreting our Heritage he said “…not with the mere recitation of facts. Not with the names of things, but by exposing the soul of things-those truths that lie behind what you are showing your visitor. Nor yet by sermonizing; nor yet by lecturing; not by instruction but by provocation.” That’s what interpretation is to me. It’s exposing those deeper meanings, revealing those larger truths of our parks and their resources.

All of our parks have so many significant stories to tell, so many of those larger truths. It’s up to our interpretive staff to tell these stories in a way that’s meaningful, thought provoking, and creates a sense of ownership, not only to park visitors, but to staff as well. Interpretation is a tool that aids in overall park management and helps to create stewardship by revealing why these places are so special, and this is why we should protect them.

I’m going to leave you with one final statement from Freeman Tilden, “Through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection.”

Head Start visiting New River Trail State Park

What interpretation means to:

Kristen Uerz, Visitor Experience Specialist

When I first began working for the Visitor Experience section I was not really sure what interpretation was. I knew they provided programs for children and schools, but what did that mean to me? At that point I just thought it was great for children to have fun programs they could attend and be able to do crafts while learning about nature.

Then after three years in my current position with this section I have come to realize that it is so much more than just programs for children. The audience that interpreters work with is so diverse. How does one person relay information that may seem fascinating to one and not to another? To me, interpretation is more about the interpreters telling nature’s story and making it meaningful for each individual. I have had so many “aha moments” while working in this section, which has sparked my own desire to reconnect with nature and enjoy all that it has to offer.

Belle Isle State Park

We invite you to partake in one or more of our interpreter programs at Virginia State Parks and see what wonderful discoveries you can make. Click here for our events database where you can see a list of upcoming programs at your favorite Virginia State Park.