Interpretive Site Coalition 2015 Conference registration form and session descriptions.

1. Thursday, February 19, 2015 ● 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
at Ernie Miller Nature Center
909 Kansas 7, Olathe, KS 66061
Keynote Speaker: Lisa Lacombe
“Conservation Aesthetic: Of Trophies and Higher Self
Actualization”
Lisa Lacombe is the Nature Center Manager at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center for
the Missouri Department of Conservation. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Biology
through the University of Central Missouri and is currently completing a Master of
Science: Forestry Resource Interpretation through Stephen F. Austin State University
in Nacogdoches, Texas. Lisa is also a Certified Interpretive Trainer, Planner and
Manager through the National Association for Interpretation.
Featuring sessions presented by ISC members and local interpreters from the Kansas City area!
2015 Conference Schedule
• 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
• 9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
• 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. “Share Affair” - a collaboration of the sites within ISC offering
site-specific information on their locations and programming.
• 10:05 – 10:55 a.m. Sessions I and II
• 11:05 – 11:55 a.m. Sessions III and IV
• 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Speaker: Lisa Lacombe
• 1:10 – 2:00 p.m. Sessions V and VI
• 2:10 – 3:00 p.m. Sessions VII and VIII
• 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. Silent Auction Closes, Winners Announced
• 4:05 – 4:30 p.m. Closing Remarks and Evaluations

2. Thursday, February 19, 2015
Conference Participant Registration Form
Name(s): ______________________________
Organization:
Job Title:
Address:
City, State, ZIP:
Phone Number: ( ) E-mail Address:
ISC Member Registration ______ x $25
Non-Member Registration ______ x $35
Payment enclosed Please Bill Me Total $ _________
Please make checks payable to: Interpretive Site Coalition.
A scholarship is available to cover the cost of the conference. For more information and an
application, please contact Lisa Lacombe at lisa.lacombe@mdc.mo.gov.
***Registration includes a continental breakfast and lunch provided by ISC members. We will
provide a taco bar with all the fixings for lunch (vegetarian options included).
To help us make this conference as green as possible, please bring your own coffee cup
and/or water bottle.
Registration deadline is Friday, February 13, 2015.
Questions? Comments?
Call or e-mail Heather Reynolds
(816) 228-0266, hreynolds@bluespringsgov.com
Please complete this form and submit by email, fax, or post:
hreynolds@bluespringsgov.com
Fax: (816) 228-7592
Heather Reynolds, Blue Springs Parks and Recreation
903 W. Main Street

3. Blue Springs, MO 64015
Concurrent Sessions
10:05 – 10:55 a.m.
SessionI: Interpretation Strategies for Preschoolers
Diane Neal, Burr Oak Woods
Come recharge your idea database! This workshop will highlight different learning strategies you can
utilize for engaging preschoolers in your programs. We will have hands-on activities and experiments
you can explore, strategies for making storybooks come alive, and teaching craft examples.
SessionII: Dressing the Part – The Role of Costumes in Interpretation, April Bishop
Costumed interpretation is not just for history sites. Learn how costumes can help tell your
story. Attendees will understand the differences in costumed interpretation and living history. Weigh
the advantages and disadvantages of using costumes and props in your interpretive presentations. Will
these presentations be possible for your staff if they are employees or volunteers? Leave with resources
on how to find the accessories that you need.
11:05 – 11:55 a.m.
SessionIII: The Fur Trapper’s Daughter, Molly Postlewait, Ernie Miller Nature Center
Use of props, historical items and animal pelts help our guests get a glimpse into a time long ago. We
invite you to step back in time to meet a runaway French girl who describes life along the river. This
living history program will highlight the interactions of French fur trappers and the native Osage people
in the 1800s. Customs, wildlife of the region and stories of the past are woven into the
presentation. Oui Oui please join us.
SessionIV: What’s the Story? Unleashing Creativity Using Ordinary Objects
Phillip Brinkley, Burr Oak Woods
Do your interpretive programs need a small boost? Why not let your attendees help out by making up
stories? We all use props we bring or find along a hike or tour, and they can seem ordinary to us if we
use them enough. But in the hands and minds of our visitors, they are new and amazing wonders. Let
your audience weave the stories and create a new adventure.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: Taco Bar (including vegetarian options) and dessert.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Lisa Lacombe. Whether you are a cultural or natural history interpreter, the
bottom line is your take home message. This keynote will challenge you to ask yourself: what do your
visitors take away from your site?
1:10 – 2:00 p.m.
SessionV: Props for Props
Debby Barker and Jan Thompson, Lakeside Nature Center
Looking for an easy way to spice up your programming? Join us to learn how creative props and simple
acting techniques can help revitalize your presentations.

4. SessionVI: Weaving the Threads: Linking Science and History
Michael Duane, Fort Osage
Be it short or long, everything has history. Science, or the insights we gain from it has always altered
how we interact with the world around us. If you deal with science, there is history to be discussed. If
history is your thing, science is a part of nearly every artifact, process or event you present. Come to see
and share some ways to weave the threads of science and history into a tapestry of the world around us.
2:10 – 3:00 p.m.
SessionVII: Crafting a Bridge to New Audiences, Lisa Richter, Burr Oak Woods
Many people enjoy wildflowers and love to do crafts. They may plant hostas, daffodils, etc. and not
realize how this landscape is basically a desert for wildlife. These plants don't attract bugs that eat the
plants ("What and put holes in our beautifully landscaped plants?"), and therefore will not attract
caterpillars to feed the hungry baby songbirds in spring! Attend this session to discover some crafty
programs that teach planting "native" at your site or even your home!
SessionVIII: Tips for Preparing a Successful PowerPoint Presentation
Steve Sitton, Thomas Hart Benton Home & Studio State Historic
Would you like to create PowerPoint presentations that will more effectively communicate with your
audience? Increase the number of programming options for you as an interpreter or teacher; either at
your facility, in a classroom, or for outreach? Gain confidence in working with PowerPoint? Would you
like to create a good looking presentation, without overdoing it? Then this session is for you!

5. Interpretive Site Coalition
Melissa Pendarvis 2015 Interpretive Scholarships
WHO:
Staff or volunteers from any active Interpretive Site Coalition Site, or junior or senior
undergraduate and graduate students in Missouri colleges and universities or permanent Missouri
residents attending colleges/universities in another state or country studying in the field of
interpretation (biology, environmental education, parks and recreation, wildlife management,
history, etc.)
WHAT:
The Interpretive Site Coalition (ISC) wants to assist and inspire interpretation students by offering
$25.00 scholarships for our semi-annual conference. You will also be asked to present your
experience from the conference at the next ISC meeting.
WHY:
The scholarship not only provides you with attendance at this conference, but it will also look
great on your resume when you are ready to enter the field of interpretation.
The ISC Conference is a special opportunity for networking and learning during concurrent
sessions and the Share Affair.
WHERE and WHEN:
Weaving the Web of Local Talent: The Strength of Interpretation February 19, 2015 at Ernie Miller
Nature Park, Olathe, KS
HOW:
Fill out the attached application and email it with required documents by January 30, 2015.
Do you have QUESTIONS? Contact Lisa LaCombe 816 655 6263 ext 1332 or
lisa.lacombe@mdc.mo.gov

6. Interpretive Site Coalition
Melissa Pendarvis 2015 Interpretive Scholarship application
Scholarship includes $25.00 to assist attendance at the ISC Semi-annual Conference.
Check the appropriate level scholarship: ______ Professional ______ Volunteer _____Undergraduate
_______Graduate Scholarship
Date _____________________________________ (must be emailed or postmarked by December 31)
Applicant Name _____________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail Address: _____________________________________________________________________________
Phone (________) ___________________________ Best Time to Contact: _____________________________
Social Security number (Required by ISC, may email or call with the number)
__________________________
Name of Site/School ____________________________________________________________
Title______________________________________________ or Major Area of
Study____________________________ MinorArea of Study_____________________________ Cumulative
Grade Point Average_________
Name of Supervisor or Academic Advisor________________________________
Email and phone of supervisor or advisor______________________ (_______) ___________________
ApplicantRequirements:
 Must currently work or volunteer for an active Interpretive Site Coalition Site OR must attend a
Missouri collegeor university or be a permanent Missouri resident, and be an undergraduate junior
or senior, or graduate.
Pleasesubmit or respondto the following:
 An essay on why you are interested in the field of interpretation, and
 A letter of recommendation relatinginformation on your interpretation classes or experience.

7. For an application to be considered, it must be emailed or pos tmarked by January 30, 2015
Please submit your application, letter of recommendation, and accompanying documents by email if at all
possible. Send printed materialsthat cannot be created electronically to the address below, postmarked
by January 30. Faxes will not be accepted.
Lisa LaCombe - ISC Awards Scholarship Committee
lisa.lacombe@mdc.mo.gov
Burr OakWoodsNature Center 1401 NW Park Rd. Blue Springs, MO. 64015
Updated 09/14 LL