Late October is the perfect season for a little storytelling around the campfire! In this Continuing Education event for Virginia Master Naturalists, learn how to sharpen your interpretive skills using storytelling techniques that can create mystery and heightened interest in your walk or talk at a park, school, or other setting. The program will cover the art of storytelling and how to use story to weave a compelling narrative that includes scientific and historical facts. Our instructors will be Christen Miller, DCR Visitor Experience Manager, and Tom Kneipp, Chief Ranger, Bear Creek Lake State Park. This program is open to ALL Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers. 

The program will begin with Christen providing an Interpretive Overview about storytelling and storytelling techniques, followed by a storytelling demonstration by Tom, and a panel discussion with both speakers. Then we’ll have 2 or 3 Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers tell their own stories, with time for constructive, positive feedback from the instructors and the virtual audience. (Storytelling volunteers will be selected in advance from a small number of chapters through a screening process to keep the number of requests manageable.)

Thank you to Carol Heiser (VMN volunteer in our James River Chapter and recently retired from VDWR), who developed the idea and is organizing this program.

Michelle Prysby is the webinar host, and Carol Heiser is the program host.