Dear Master Interpreter — Summer 2025


Your questions answered!

Illustration of a bear waving while wearing an Interpreter's Stetson hat with text reading, "Dear Master Interpreter"

Dear Master Interpreter: 

I am officially submitting my question to Dear Master Interpreter!

My question is: What books would you recommend for people who are interested in getting in to interpretation?

—Sam Ham I Am


Dear Green Eggs and Ham:

There are so many books that will spark an interest in interpreters just starting out in the field. A few of my personal favorites include:

Suggested books:

  • Interpretation: Making a Difference on Purpose, by Sam Ham. This is an excellent book that provides insight into thematic interpretation and various approaches based on educational psychology. This book is a must for your library.
  • The Principles of Interpretation, by Freeman Tilden. Tilden is often thought of as the founding father of interpretation and his six principles still stand the test of time.
  • Interpretation for the 21st Century: Interpretation for the 21st Century, by Larry Beck and Ted Cable. Building upon Tilden’s principles and putting them into the contest of the 21st Century provides insights for interpreters as they develop their first programs.
  • The Art of Relevance, by Nina Simon. Following up on her 2010 book, The Participatory Museum, you can hear Simon summarize the main points of her most recent book in this 2016 TEDx Talk.
Department manuals:
  • Basic Interpretation Learning Systems (BILS) This manual was designed with first time interpreters and rangers in the academy to get them acquainted with interpretation and Department specific programs.
  • Aiming For Excellence. Evaluation is key to developing a successful interpretive program. The tools in this manual help interpreters to understand the rubric of a successful program and design their programs accordingly.
And the list goes on. The National Association of Interpretation (NAI) publishes a series of books for practitioners under the name of InterpPress Books. These can be found at this link.

Happy reading!

—Master Interpreter


Dear Master Interpreter:

The summer campground season is just around the corner and with it we ramp up our interpretive programming with junior ranger programs and campfire programs. Yet, last year our attendance was all over the map. Is there anything I can do to maintain consistent attendance in our programs?

Thanks,

—Campground Crowd Coordinator

  

Dear CCC:

YES! There are so many ways to get the word out about your campground programs. In addition to the standard social media and posting flyers around the campground including bulletin boards and restrooms, you can also...

  • Share interpretive schedules with colleagues in entrance stations and facilities and maintenance so that they can share the information.
  • Create small ¼ page activity schedules to be given to campers as they check in.
  • Place a whiteboard announcing events of the day in a location where campers check in.
  • At the evening campfire program, announce the activities scheduled for the next day.
  • 20-30 minutes prior to your campfire program, circulate the campground and invite campers to join you at the campfire center.
  • If you find that you are getting too many participants attending programs (especially Junior Rangers), you can post a sign-up sheet with a maximum number of spots.
  • If your campground has wifi, you can share the link to a sign up sheet.
You got this CCC! Keep your eyes open—you might just see me in the crowd cheering you on.

Yours,

—Master Interpreter


Send your questions for the Master Interpreter to interpretation.staff@parks.ca.gov