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Welcome to our Web Site!
You are visitor #
 Welcome to
our web site. JVA is a firm that specializes in Heritage
Interpretation and Heritage Tourism Planning and Training.
We are one of the few firms offering interpretive consultant
services that is staffed by "professionally trained"
interpreters. We bring a strong academic interpretive background mixed with lots of field
experience with 30 years of "doing" interpretive
master planning and staff interpretive training as well as teaching university courses in
interpretation. Scroll down for more details on what we do.
 A
Veteran Owned Company
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 Credentials and
Qualifications - The first question you should always ask a perspective consultant
in interpretive planning or training, is "how did you learn how to do it in the first
place"? What qualifies you to be a consultant
anyway and what makes you an expert in interpretation? This is
the first page you should look for when visiting any interpretive consultants web site -
their qualifications.
That's a question I get asked from time to time - and it's a fair
question. So to learn more about JVA Credentials and Qualifications to be a
interpretation "consultant" - CLICK HERE.
I'm also a National Association for
Interpretation:
Certified Interpretive Planner
Certified Interpretive Trainer.
and a Certified Heritage Interpreter -
Canada. This is a
National Certification authorized by the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council
  
All of the above certifications are based on both
written exams, reviewing a video of JV conducting an interpretation training course, and
personal interview (Canada). The NAI Certifications also require a review of
interpretive products (examples of completed interpretive plans or training lesson plans).
But every consultant looks good on the
web and with a resume.. I feel our projects speak for themselves which is why I post
links to our clients - you can ask them how we did. And if you're sending your project out
for a bid, always ask the bidder to send you a sample of their product - like a recent
interpretive plan. I bet you'll be surprised at the differences in what some consider an
"interpretive plan". If you would like
an outline of what goes into one of our interpretive plans (content outline) Click Here.
So scroll
down to see what's new, and check out our 2009 projects and clients. We do keep
busy! The index on the left will take you to our LIBRARY and other pages as well.
And when you search for - or interview -
an Interpretive Consultant for a project, don't forget to ask the question
of "what qualifies you to be one"? It's one of the most important
questions you may ask, for the success of your project really may depend on that
answer.
Well, enjoy your visit and e-mail me if you
have any questions at all: jvainterp@aol.com
And if you want to see some of our products to review and compare against others, just
ask. Our products speak for themselves.
Cheers - JV
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The Cutting Edge in Interpretive
Media for Self-guiding experiences.
 The GPS Ranger - is a
fully-automated hand held GPS video tour guide system that keeps you on track and on the
edge of your seat with vibrant video, audio and great interpretation. JVA
is pleased to be a sales agent for Bar Z Adventures, developers of the GPS Ranger and related products. The GPS ranger
allows for "mass customization" development for multi-layered interpretive
themes and tours that makes the stories "come alive" for visitors.
JVA can develop the interpretive storyline and text for truly interpretive experienes
(provoke, relate, reveal) that partners with this dynamic inter-active product. For
more information on the GPS Ranger, and what it can do for you - and its income
generating potential, contact Bar Z Adventures at: http://www.gpsranger.com or
http://www.barzadventures.com.
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JVA Interpretive Training Update for 2010.
New interpretive courses for Snowdonia
National Park Training Center, Wales, UK. For our 2010 season will
include: May 2010- Interpretive Media Planning and Design. For September 2010: Interpretive
Master Planning. Scroll down for our last 2009
workshop, and for details on our upcoming 2010 workshops. Note that these training
courses bring in an international market, with participants in past courses coming in from
as far away as South Africa (Director of the Nelson Manuella Museum), Sweden and the
Channel Islands.
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NEW - Request
for Proposal Example Templates for
"Interpretive Master Planning, Interpretive Exhibit Planning, and
Planning/Design/Fabrication for Interpretive Panels and wayfinding systems" available
from JVA. If you would like a copy just send me an e-mail and I can send you a copy. This was originally
developed for members of the National Park Service Gateways Program.
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Great News - New Books -
JV's Interpretive Master Planning text book has just been published in Chinese
and soon to be published in Portuguese as well.
  
John Veverka is pleased to announce that his text book Interpretive Master Planning has just been published in
Chinese. This was a project coordinated with Peking University, Center
for Recreation and Tourism Research and the China Travel and Tourism Press.
"It is hoped that the publication of this book in Chinese will help advance
interpretation in China as well as serve as a planning guide for further developing
China's cultural and natural treasures for its expanding tourism markets." CTTP.
The Languages of Live Interpretation- Canadian
Museum of Civilization
John was asked to write a chapter/section in the book "The
Languages of Live Interpretation" (shown above right) edited by Jean-Marc
Blais of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Quebec.
The book focuses on a variety of live interpretation methods in museums (theater,
animation, etc.) with examples from several different authors. John's chapter, "The Language of Live Interpretation: Making
Contact", focuses on basic interpretive planning, learning
concepts and interpretive techniques for the planning and delivery of live interpretive
programs. The book is available from: The Canadian Museum
of Civilization. Here is the link to their book store if you're interested in
getting a copy. http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/cyberboutique/the-Books-scln--scln--cln-Museum-publications--dsh--Museology/Categories
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 JVA partners with HDC to
form international heritage destination and interpretation development firm.
JVA is pleased to announce its association with HDC, a
new international firm specializing in planning and training for developing or
existing heritage destinations. We can help plan and develop both the
total heritage site (resort, fishing lodge, cruise ship, historic community or city,
historic region, etc.), and its interpretive/heritage programs and services, train staff,
developing marketing strategies, do visitor surveys, develop support services and more.
Visit our HDC web site http://www.heritagedestination.com
for more details on how we can help bring you more visitors while preserving the
natural and cultural heritage they are coming to see and experience.
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Need Interpretive Training for Docents, Seasonal Staff, or Full Time Staff?
 
  
 
Photos from some of our international training courses
(graduates of our 5-day interpretation overview course on Malta - top left;
Planning/presenting Live Interpretive Programs course in Wales - top right, and graduates
of our 5-day Interpretive Master Planning course in Slovenia - bottom left), Parks Canada
and Dawson City Museum Interpretive training - Dawson City, Canada, and our BEGN -
Botanical Garden Education Network - England workshop (bottom left). Bottom right,
participants in our "Introduction to Heritage Interpretation - Interpreting your
Geological Heritage" developed for the Institute
of Geology and Mineral Exploration, Athens, Greece (2007). Bottom left-
Natural England Interpretive Guide Training, England, 09. Bottom right - participants in
the Snowdonia National Park Training Center - Introduction to Interpretation Course, May
09.
Plan for your interpretive training
programs now. I provide 1 day to 5- day interpretive training courses for
parks, historic sites, museums and related heritage attractions. From skill training
in how to plan and deliver an interpretive walk, tour or program, to the basics in
interpretive communication. My training courses PROVOKE, RELATE and REVEAL - and add in
some magic to ensure participants can DO what we teach. Lots of hands on as well as
"minds-on" experiences.
Some of our courses include:
- An introduction to basic interpretive services.
- Planning and conducting guided tours and programs.
- Developing themes, objectives and programs with
sparkle.
- Interpretive Media Planning and Design.
- Interpretive Master Planning
- Marketing for heritage sites and attractions.
- Museum/historical society guide/docent training -
provoke, relate, and reveal your story.
- Evaluation strategies for interpretive exhibits,
programs or related services.
- Visitor center exhibit planning, design and
evaluation.
- Market survey research and audience analysis - who
are your visitors, and who do you want them to be?
- Interpretive writing that provokes, relates, and
reveals (Tilden was right)!
- The art of teaching interpretation to others
(Train the Trainers workshops).
COST: $800/day of training plus travel
expenses.
I also provide advanced
courses on interpretive planning, exhibit and visitor center
planning and evaluation of interpretive programs and services as well.
All of our courses are based on years of
"doing" interpretation, not just theory. Contact me if you have any
questions at: jvainterp@aol.com. You can also go here for more information on our training services.
Some of our recent/current interpretive
training clients:
* Blue Badge Guides, London, England
* National Park Service, Chesapeake Bay
Gateways Program
* US Army Corps of Engineers
* Parks Canada
* Snowdonia National Park Training Center -
Wales, UK.
* Florida State Parks
* The Countryside Counsil of Wales, UK.
* Norfolk Tourism, UK..
* Plus a bunch more.
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JVA News - Recently awarded/completed projects
for 2009. (For all
of our 2008 completed projects click
here).
 US Army Corps of Engineers, DeGray Lake Field
Office, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. JVA will provide interpretive planning
consultation services for a new Visitor Center Exhibit Plan,
and review interpretive trail opportunities at the Project site, July, 2009. You can
learn more about this park at: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=B404530
. Another link to this park is: http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Lakes/ar/degray/
 Grey Roots Museum and Archives,
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. JVA was recently awarded the contract to develop the Interpretive Master Plan for the the Grey Roots Museum and
Moreston Heritage Village. The project will begin in July 2009. with a completion
date of September/October 2009. You can learn more about this client at: http://www.greyroots.com/
 One of the buildings in the historic
village (left photo) with the main museum and archives building on the right.
 Susquehanna Greenway
Partnership, Pennsylvania. JVA will again be working with Susquehanna
Greenway Partnership in developing many of interpretive services and media that were
recommended by JVA in the Susquehanna River Trail and Susquehanna Greenway
Interpretive Master Plan, completed in December 2008. Funded by a National Park
Service Gateways Grant, this new work will include: developing several new River Town
interpretive kiosks, developing approximately 10 new interpretive panels at select
locations, developing a new self-guiding auto tour route with self-guiding booklet, and
master digital audio auto tour guide, and assisting in the improvement of the Greenway Web
Site for enhanced interpretive services. The project will also include pre testing
evaluation for the new interpretive services. This project will begin in
August/September 2009 and run through 2011. You can visit this client at: http://www.susquehannagreenway.org .
 CyMAL - Museums Archives and Libraries
Wales. JVA will be providing an interpretive training workshop for members
of CyMal, focusing on "Interpretation for the 21st Century" - an overview of new
interpretive theories and practices. The workshop will help museums
interpretive/learning staff make more power connections between the facilities
stories and subjects and their visitors. Workshop participants will include
national, local authority and independently run museums, and will be held in Cardiff,
Wales, September 2009. You can visit this client at: http://www.wales.gov.uk/cymal.
Nova Scotia Museums - Canada. JVA
will provide a variety of interpretive planning/training consultation services for six of
the Nova Scotia Museums members including: Highland Village, Sherbrooke Village, Ross
Farm, Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, Fundy Geological Museum and Village Historique
Acadienne. The project will begin in early September 2009 and take about two weeks
to complete, spending approximately one-two days with each site and travel time
in-between. Project details and agenda are currently in the planning stage.
September, 2009.
  
Highland Village (top left), Ross Farm Museum (center) and the Fundy Geological
Museum.
 The Cardiff Story (Cardiff City
Museum), Cardiff, Wales, UK. Provided a interpretive text
writing workshop for the museum staff, May 2008. The Cardiff Story is developing a
new museum to interpret and celebrate the people and history of this city. You can
find out more about this project at their web site: http://www.cardiffmuseum.com/ as well as learn
about their current programs and activities.
 National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.
Contracted to present a workshop on "walks, talks, tours and trails"
for museum staff to "help inspire people to develop tours for a forthcoming web
site". The workshop is planned for September, 2009, and will
look at new technologies for making tours available to visitors - and the possibility of
providing the tours in a variety of knowledge or experience levels (mass customization),
as well as in a variety of languages. You can visit the National Museum of Wales
at: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/
Luray Valley Museum Interpretive Plan,
Luray, VA. This new facility will be part of the Luray Caverns complex,
which includes the Luray Caverns (an amazing show cave), vintage car museum, heritage farm
and related historic buildings and much more. The Luray Valley Museum is a new
museum project for the site, and will celebrate the history of the Shenandoah Valley with
additional emphasis on the decorative arts and people of the Luray Virginia area as
well. Interpretive planning also included looking at the formal Gardens with
heritage plants/orchard and related demonstrations. The project was completed the
end of April, 2009. To learn more about Luray Caverns you can visit their web site
at: http://www.luraycaverns.com/
 
Luray Caverns - Saracen's Tent formation and the new Luray Caverns
Museum and Gardens - under construction for a July opening. This site will include many
different historic homes/buildings, garden, vistas and more for as part of the historic
site complex. Luray Caverns Park is listed as a National Natural Landmark by the
Department of the Interior.
 Group for Education in Museums, UK. JVA
was invited to present a training workshop for GEM entitled Interpretation for the New
Millennium - Are You Ready? This workshop focused on a brief review of interpretive
basics and look at new approaches to planning, designing and presenting interpretive
programs and services. We included topics such as "mass
customization", outcome based planning, and new marketing strategies for changing
market groups. The workshop was held at the British Empire &
Commonwealth Museum, Templemeads, Bristol, Friday, 8th of May, 2009. You can
visit the GEM web site at: http://www.gem.org.uk. .
 Shenandoah Valley
battlefields Foundation, Virginia. Provided an interpretive training
workshop for foundation members, March, 2009. The National Historic
District—one of the nation’s congressionally-designated National Heritage
Areas—encompasses ten battlefields and more than 325 military engagements as well as
numerous related historic sites. As approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior,
the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation is responsible for leading the preservation
effort for these sites. You can find out more about the work of the Foundation at: http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/
At the Civil War battle that occurred at Rose Hill Farm,
Winchester, VA, the stone walls provided shelter for soldiers of both sides. This
was part of the Rose Hill Interpretive Plan developed by JVA in 2009. There is also
a Civil War interpretive trail at this site.
The Big Pit National Coal Museum - A National Museum of
Wales Heritage Site. Big Pit stands on the edge of Blaenafon, a town that
played a vital part in the Industrial Revolution. This revolution transformed the
landscape, culture and society of Wales, the UK and the world. Awarding World Heritage Status to the town and landscape
marked the wider impact of Blaenafon's unique industrial heritage. JVA was invited
to the Big Pit to provide interpretive training and planning consultation services in
February, 2009. This site visit was part of a longer consultation service for the
National Museum of Wales which included work at the National Wool Museum. You
can visit the Big Pit web site at: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit
National Museums of Wales -
National Wool Museum, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire Wales. JVA was
invited to return to the Wool Museum to provide additional interpretive planning
consultation for the museum, February, 2009. This trip focused on developing a
self-guiding audio tour and printed tour booklet for the local village. You can
visit the museum web site at: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/wool
 
The National Wool Museum, Wales, and one of the many artifacts
illustrating the evolution of the wool manufacturing industries.
 Natural England. JVA
was awarded a contract to provide a 3-day Introduction to Interpretation
module for Natural England. The course was presented at West Dean College,
Chichester, West Sussex, January 20th - 22nd, 2009. To find out more about Natural
England, you can visit their web site at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
Participants in the workshop didn't include the Giraffe who stuck its neck out to
be in the photo below.
Natural England staff who participated in the interpretive
guiding course.
 Naturealm - Summit County
Metro-Parks, Ohio. Provide interpretive exhibit planning and design
consultation services for Naturealm's new interpretive exhibit project. JV developed
the interpretive master plan for Naturealm last year and this is follow up work to provide
consultation on the exhibit design project currently under way. October- through
2009..
 Susquehanna
Greenway Partnership, Pennsylvania. JVA was awarded the contract to develop
the Interpretive Master Plan for the Susquehanna
River Water Trail, a 500 mile long corridor that bisects most of
eastern Pennsylvania, and includes cultural, natural and historic resources and stories
located throughout the corridor. The project also include: development of a
wayfinding system, site analysis of existing orientation and safety panels, analysis of
potential retrofit of existing panels, an outdoor recreation linkage system, and a model
signage plan for the water trail Phase II. The project ran through
December of 2008. Follow up services continued through May 2009. You can visit this
client at: http://www.susquehannagreenway.org
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Some scenes along the 500 mile Greenway.
 US Army Corps of Engineers -
Interpretive Training. JVA was awarded a new 5-year interpretive
services training contract for teaching two 3-day "Interpretive Services"
courses each year for the COE at their Huntsville, AL training center. We are now
planning for our January 2010 training course. JVA has been
providing this interpretive training course for the Corps of Engineers for the past 20
years, and is pleased to be able to continue providing this valuable training for the COE.
 
Participants in the June 2009 Interpretive Services course - one team
(on left) working on the design for a draft interpretive panel - another team (right)
working on an interpretive trail planning exercise at our field trip site - Wheeler
National Wildlife Refuge. We had 27 participants in the June 2009 course from Army
Corps of Engineer Project sites from around the US.
 Snowdonia National Park
Environmental Studies Center, Wales, UK. 4-6 May,
2009. Introduction to Interpretation. This was an "entry
level" basic interpretation course for individuals finding themselves working in
interpretive sites or positions who have had no formal training in interpretive
services. Lots of hands-on experiences including designing mock-up interpretive
panels.
Interpretive course participants (left), and one team working on their
"interpretive panel" project (right).
 Prater's Mill
Foundation, Dalton, GA. JVA has been asked to provide interpretive
consulting services, and interpretive site assessment services for the Foundation, for
Prater's Mill in Whitfield County, GA., through 2009. We were also awarded a
contract to develop the Interpretive Master Plan for the Mill and its
associated heritage partners within their multi-county region. You can visit this
client at: http://www.PratersMill.org.
 Prater's Mill.
 Macomb Community College
Cultural Center, Clinton Twp, Michigan. Provide a interpretive exhibit planning
focus workshop for the Cultural Center exhibition team for their new Great Lakes -
Great Stories exhibition to open this summer. Provide consultation services for
upcoming exhibitions 2007-2009. You can find out more about the Cultural
Center and its exhibition schedule at: http://www.macombculturalcenter.com/
 Cultural and Heritage Tourism Program,
State of Pennsylvania - Provided interpretive planning, marketing and visitor
survey consultation services to the six major hubs and State Office, for the state-wide Pennsylvania
Underground Railroad and Pennsylvania Quest for Freedom programs development
efforts.
 
Some of the outstanding living history re-enactors for the Quest for
Freedom and Underground Railroad programs.
Snowdonia National Park
Training Center, Wales.
 
Some general views of the training center grounds and gardens.
One course left for 2009
1 - 4th September, 2009. Advanced Interpretation Planning.. This
advanced interpretation course will look at a variety of subjects including interpretive
master planning, marketing for heritage sites, interpretive product development, audience
development, new technologies, and visitor surveys and evaluation. We
will focus on how to attract more visitors and make more income and more cost effective
programs and services.
New Courses for 2010 - are being
planned now for May and September 2010.
May 2010 - Planning, Designing and Evaluating Interpretive Media
September 2010 -
Interpretive Master Planning.
Course details and dates will be
available later on this year.
* Contact plas@eryri-npa.gov.uk for more information.
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Some of our past years projects:
For a listing of all of our 2006 clients click HERE.
For a listing of our 2007 clients, click HERE.
For a listing of our 2008 clients, click HERE.
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Recent Articles/publications
We have added new
articles to our LIBRARY:
 Using interpretive themes and objectives will
make your
program planning easier and more effective. This is a short 3-page
article/handout great for interpretive training workshops for seasonal interpretive staff,
docents, or anyone involved in planning for interpretive programs - for any subject
content.
Is Your Scenic Byway Interpretation
Sustainable? Published in Vistas (the
publication of America's Byways Resource Center, Duluth, MN), January/February
2003 issue.
Exhibit Evaluation for Children’s Exhibits -The
Kirby Science Center Experience. (Published in Interpret
Scotland, Issue 4, Autumn 2001).
Planning for Interpretive Training Courses. (published
in Interpscan, the national journal of
Interpretation Canada, Vol. 28, No. 3 March 2002.)
"Interpretive planning for the new
millennium - The "product of the product",
"outcome based planning" and the "experience economy". Click HERE to go to this article in our library.
(Note: This article was published in Legacy, the
magazine of the National Association for Interpretation, May/June 2000 issue.)
"Why Heritage Sites Need Interpretation
For Their Long Term Survival." This paper was prepared for the
National Trust for Scotland for an interpretation seminar presented to NTS staff, October,
2000. To read this article, CLICK HERE.
To view the other articles in the
interpretation library, click HERE.
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A photo scrapbook of some of our international projects.
Visit our UK office web site for our new international projects and offerings
world-wide. http://www.heritagedestination.com
  
Isle of Lewis Standing Stones.
 Stonehenge, England
 JV at the Mayan city of
Chichen-Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. The "observatory" is in the background.
 
JV at one of the seven world heritage sites located on Malta (left) and at
the Haida Heritage Center, Graham Island, Skidegate, Canada.
John Veverka, President of JVA. John
provides interpretive consulting services world-wide, from England (top left and
middle photo) to Korea (top right) and in Europe, Canada, Mexico (second from bottom
photo), on the Island of Malta (bottom photo) and the United States.
For recent projects for 2007 and 2008 click the year in the index on the left
at the top of this page.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me at:
John Veverka & Associates, 2069 Ashland, Okemos, Michigan, USA
48864 (517-347-2166; fax: 347-2064) or E-Mail me at: jvainterp@aol.com.
At JVA "Our product is YOUR success!"
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