NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Conducted Trips

Conducted trips have an important tradition for they were one of the first interpretive activities developed in areas of the National Park System. Through the years other interpretive methods have developed and have expanded greatly, but the conducted trip, itself expanded into new subject fields and into new situations, continues to merit a very important place.

The conducted trip is the basic interpretive activity in some areas, and serves essentially all of the area visitors. Carlsbad Caverns and certain areas containing perishable ruin structures are examples. In other situations, particularly in the larger parks and monuments, and in those areas having a wide variety of subject interest, the guided trip is of lesser importance considering the number of visitors served. The traditional nature walk, for example, supplements the basic interpretation provided by museums, lecture programs, and self-guiding devices. In the latter case, the conducted trip provides a more specialized service for a somewhat selective group, usually composing but a small percentage of the area visitation.

In both cases, the conducted trip is an activity of high potential quality, and its value derives from two important factors. It is a personalized service not only in that it is conducted by a human being, but also in that the leader is not bound by a strict pattern of procedure but can adjust his presentation to his own personality, to the changing elements of the environment, and to the character and to the reactions of the group. Furthermore, a conducted trip is an interpretation which takes place in the environment itself, utilizing the actual objects of nature or of history to reveal and to illustrate the interpretive theme. The real thing--not a photo, a model, a reproduction, or a wordy description--constitutes the basic interpretive material. This fact is of tremendous importance in giving the activity reality and lasting emphasis. In brief, a conducted trip is interpretation face-to-face, and on location.

The objectives of this activity are to assist the visitor to obtain all or a part of the following:

1. The facts of history or of nature as revealed along the tour route.

2. A recreational experience.

3. An appreciation of scenic values.

4. An awareness of the inspirational values of the area.

5. An interest to a degree that will stimulate him to independent experience in the subject field.

6. An appreciation of the significance of the area as a unit of the National Park System.

7. An awareness of his own relationship and responsibility to the area as a unit of the National Park System.

In brief, the interpreter seeks to develop in the visitor an understanding awareness of an environment. The status of the area as a park or monument, the historical or scientific subject materials, and the visitor himself are elements of that environment.