Williamsburg Visitor Center Mini Review
“Be part of the story,” that’s the tag line posted at the Williamsburg Visitor’s Center in Colonial Williamsburg, VA. Known as an international model for living history programs, the Center serves as a gateway to 1.7 million visitors (2010 stat according to the most recent President’s Report). It’s a welcoming place shaped in a cross formation with entrance doors leading to local info on the left, an encased replica map of the town to the right, and ticket counters at the end of the entry lane. I visited the Center recently with a group of interpretive industry reps and we were struck by the lack of orientation maps for a site of this size.
Yes, there is a little map on a wall, but it is located in the middle of an aisle, so many visitors either walk right past it, or, crowd the area craning to see the small type.
The small scale wall mounted map is located in a walkway making it difficult to view.
The large-scale, floor-mounted replica map of the town, was interesting, but surprisingly, there was no “You are Here” pin inside. Where was I in relation to the town? How far would it be to walk?
Williamsburg Visitor Center large scale town replica
Recommendation: Ditch the wall map in its current location and improve visitor flow; add a “You are Here” pin to the replica/map to orient many visitors simultaneously; consider planning a hiking trail for those who might want to walk or hike; create an enlarged wall map and relocate it within the replica “room;” place another copy of the large map on the opposite wall where the local information is positioned; also post a copy of the large map at the end of the entry lane, thus creating a consistent set of map resources in each of the three sections of the Center. These small efforts would improve the visitor’s experience and encourage them “to be part of the story” from their first steps!
New Interpretive Projects
What is interpretation? Some folks think it applies to language, like Nicole Kidman who hears too much while interpreting for diplomats at the United Nations…
The 2005 political thriller, The Interpreter, with Nicole Kidman.
but there are other types, including natural, cultural and heritage interpretation. The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) gets this question a lot, and they define it as: a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource.
Hmmm…I think that works well for managers and interpretive industry workers, but not John Q. Public.
Like most things, it’s easier to show you, than to tell you. So the next year will be devoted to coverage of new interpretive services offered at KateGoggin.com. We’ll talk about current projects in motion and ideas for future development. Please join the conversation and feel free to contact me anytime with questions.
The signs at many parks are part of an interpretive plan. They show some aspect of the "resource" you are viewing, and hopefully, the information will pique your interest, so you will care about that resource. The idea is, if you care, then you'll appreciate it and want to preserve, protect or enhance what you are seeing.
Science on a Sphere
Check out our interpretive plan for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Science on a Sphere Exhibit - integration of their new exhibit space within a proposed urban trail in Silver Spring, MD!
Interpretive Plan for Science on a Sphere
Backpack Kids App Sold
The app, Backpack Kids: The Safety Planning Checklist for Overseas Travel, written and created by Kathleen Goggin, has been sold privately to a Maryland-based company. Therefore, Backpack Kids is no longer available for sale through iTunes and .PDF versions of the handy, reference app are no longer for sale on this website.
It was a wonderful experience developing an app from concept to finished product, and I’m happy with the result. Stay tuned for more projects on the horizon, including new, mobile reference materials. Whether you are developing for government or private industry, the mantra nowadays is: Go mobile, or go home!
New Backpack Kids App
American kids travel internationally every day, but many are not prepared for emergencies like the recent earthquakes or volcanic ash disruptions. Both parents and children assume trip leaders know what they are doing, or have experience or training. The truth is that many leaders don’t know how to plan for emergencies or injuries overseas. That’s one of the many reasons why I wrote, Backpack Kids: The Safety Planning Checklist for Overseas Travel. It contains the essential information everyone needs before sending kids overseas. Developed as an interactive checklist application (app) for iPhone and iTouch users, this handy booklet is also available as a downloadable (.PDF) document.
Backpack Kids helps anyone planning an upcoming trip for: student exchange, semester abroad, volunteer trips, gap year travel, spring break, int’l sports competitions, language study programs, music performances, summer abroad, English language teaching and temporary overseas jobs. Read the latest reviews.
It contains six chapters arranged in chronological order, counting down to the trip, and a valuable summary checklist with timeline. Know when to order your passports, medevac insurance, and where to look up recommended vaccinations. See sample screenshots.
Chapter One – Backpack-Ready Kids – experts weigh in on traits that signal readiness and independence for int’l travel without parents
Chapter Two – Verify Travel Programs – lists the criteria and techniques to find out if exchange and travel companies are legit
Chapter Three – Essential Planning – includes securing access to money overseas, registration at U.S. Embassies, and how to stay in touch
Chapter Four – Research and Passports – how to find the health, legal, and visa requirements for other countries as well as the passport regulations for children under 16, and over 16 (very tricky!)
Chapter Five – Emergency Measures – what to do in case of emergency abroad, and who to call in-country or from the U.S.
Chapter Six – Filing Complaints – who to contact if things go wrong
We recommend kids download a copy, and get involved, and take responsibility for their own planning too!
Texas on the Potomac – Travel Tips for International Trips with Kids
Links to Texas on the Potomac, Washington News with a Texas Accent. Blog of Rick Dunham, Washington Bureau Chief of the Houston Chronicle.
Top 10 Tips for Safe Overseas Travel with Kids by Kate Goggin
This article distributed on May 7, 2010 from the Hearst Wire Service is reprinted with permission. (For use by New York Times wire service clients. 2010 Hearst Newspapers)
TOP 10 TIPS FOR SAFE OVERSEAS TRAVEL WITH KIDS
By Kate Goggin
WASHINGTON – George Mason High School teacher Kent Foster was lucky. He and his French class returned from Paris just days before a volcanic ash cloud disrupted international travel. “Nothing unexpected happened,” the Falls Church, Va., teacher said.
Foster’s smooth landing stands in stark contrast to the headache and heartache of missed planes, mounting hotel bills, and lack of cash that were reported by later travelers, including many groups traveling with students.
The mass strandings were painful reminders about the importance of a making a planning checklist before traveling abroad. Here are ten tips for safe overseas travel with children.
1. Review Health Insurance Policies, and Buy Travel and Medevac Insurance
According to the State Department website, most U.S.-based health insurance policies do not extend benefits overseas. Additionally, Medicaid and Medicare do not cover expenses incurred abroad. That means if a child falls ill or is injured abroad, the majority of expenses will be paid out of pocket, and those costs can skyrocket when the monetary unit is a foreign currency like the Euro. Also, most people are unaware of medical evacuation (medevac) insurance, according to a 2006 study by the U.S Travel Insurance Association.
Travel insurance will allow reimbursement for most missed flights, especially if the high-priced versions are purchased, which cover “Acts of God,” like the eruption of a volcano or a tsunami event. Medevac insurance covers medical treatment and hospitalization, as well as the option to be flown home if needed. A typical medical evacuation, without the insurance, can cost from $50,000 to $100,000 depending on the country of origin.
2. Visit the Doctor at Least Six Weeks before Departure
Children are more likely to become ill or require hospitalization during international travel than adults. Yet a new study in the journal Pediatrics found that children are less likely to receive pre-travel medical advice.
“Parents should take kids for an exam at least six weeks before departure,” says Dr. Gordon Theisz, of Family Medicine in Falls Church. “Not only should required vaccinations be discussed, but also availability of medications for pre-existing conditions, and health conditions in the country to be visited.”
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site contains extensive health information for over 200 destinations. Additional tips from the State Department website include: be sure to travel with prescriptions in the original container clearly marked; bring an extra pair of eyeglasses (and the prescription); and travelers going abroad with a preexisting medical problem should carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any medications, including the generic names of prescribed drugs.
3. Research the Destination Country
Look beyond the sightseeing options to digest entry and exit requirements, the safety climate, road conditions and special circumstances, all found on the U.S. State Department website. In Egypt, for example, “the Embassy has received increasing reports over the last several months of foreigners being sexually groped in taxis and public places.” Additionally, it notes “unescorted women are vulnerable to sexual harassment and verbal abuse.” Knowing this gender-specific warning beforehand is important to any young girl on a work-abroad or exchange trip.
Also, check the State Department’s travel warning list. Current countries listed include Mexico, the Philippines and Haiti. And it’s always good to get a second opinion. See what the Canadians and Brits say about a specific country on their travel-related websites and compare.
4. Keep Copies of Passport in Separate Location – Sign it and Fill in the Emergency Information
Petty crime is a worldwide problem and often preventable with the proper preparation. Linda Johnsen, another teacher at George Mason High, says a male student who did not heed warnings about keeping wallets in his back pocket, was promptly pick-pocketed while walking near their Chinese hotel. Others had wallets stolen from their backpacks in Toulouse, France.
Stolen wallets and pilfered backpacks are a good reason why experts say students should always carry a spare copy of their passport in a separate location. Better yet, keep another copy back in the U.S. with friends and family. When a passport is stolen, having the number will expedite procedures for a replacement at the Consulate.
It’s also a good idea to leave a copy of itineraries, identification documents, like a driver’s license and credit cards at home too.
5. Register Online with the U.S. Embassy in the Country You Will Visit.
Many Americans don’t register, according to State Department spokesman Ian Kelly. Registration works both ways. If a political protest or natural disaster is looming, the embassy can contact travelers via the registration data for evacuation and emergency notification, and if travelers need embassy services to assist with an ill or injured child, Embassy workers can help faster and communicate with loved ones at home when the traveler is already in the system.
Haiti was a tragic lesson for many student-travel organizers. The State Department did not know where to look for many American students, because their groups had not registered.
6. Assemble U.S. and Overseas Phone Numbers before you Travel
If tragedy strikes, know who to call, both in the destination country and at home. The State Department’s Country Specific Information sheet will include the local number for the U.S. embassy. Family members in the U.S. can call (202) 647-5225 in case of an emergency involving a U.S. citizen.
7. Ensure at Least Two Alternate Forms of Communication and Financial Access
Some cell phones will work while traveling abroad. Check with the provider before departure to verify the international calling plan. Then make sure to purchase an international calling card for back-up. The same goes for credit cards and cash access. Traveler’s checks are still useful worldwide, but credit cards and debit cards are important contingency items.
Children should not carry large amounts of money and should be allowed to use an ATM for cash withdrawals, if needed. A new trend for parents is to open a joint bank account with the child before travel. Both account holders may be issued a debit card which works like a credit card, even in overseas locations. This set-up allows parents to track expenses online and provides the opportunity to add funds quickly in case of emergency.
8. Learn Basic Language Phrases and Think Globally but Act Locally for Safety Contacts
Saying “please” and “thank you” go a long way no matter where kids visit, but being able to ask for directions if lost, and communicating “help” to emergency workers really can make a difference.
The Peace Corps advises young travelers to learn basic phrases. They should know. Exchange students, work and study abroad, gap-year travelers and volunteer workers are better prepared for emergencies when they have integrated into the community. When cell phone lines are jammed and every road is blocked, local friends know the lay of the land and can help find medical assistance and transportation options faster.
9. Mental Health Matters – Know the Phases of Culture Shock
After spending time in another culture, it’s common for young travelers to (a) want to go home, (b) become critical of the culture or the reasons they are there in the first place, and (c) feel all the things they feel when they are stressed – fatigue, eating too much or too little, general crankiness.
“Know that it’s almost always a transitory phase – as they learn more about the culture – what they do and don’t like there – the edges wear down and they will find a way to feel comfortable again,” says Dr. Anne Copeland of the Interchange Institute. “Help the children relieve stress by eating sensibly, getting enough sleep, exercising and getting information through a host national who can talk about the cultural differences they are seeing.”
10. Sign a Student Conduct Contract and Get Oriented
There is often an invincibility factor at play when traveling with students. Even the most well-behaved, quiet kid can sometimes loose all inhibition in a foreign environment without parents, and that results in risky behavior.
“Having a thorough orientation with students concerning what is expected from them, and getting detailed documents like a signed behavior contract, have helped ensure that although we always have unexpected situations, we can deal with them,” says teacher Linda Johnsen. “One thing I have learned in my many years of traveling with students is that something will always go wrong, usually several things on any given trip, but that being prepared will help you deal with them, and not let that spoil the trip.”
(Kate Goggin is author of Backpack Kids: The Safety Planning Checklist for Overseas Travel and a writer who specializes in international family matters and women’s issues.)
Backpack Kids on ParentDish.com
See the excellent efforts of ParentDish journalist, Mercedes Cardona, to highlight the underlying safety planning issues associated with overseas travel with kids. Taking the Family to a Hot Spot Abroad? Stay Safe by Planning Ahead.
Backpack Kids and Spring Break Travel
What exactly is Backpack Kids? It’s really a booklet designed to help anyone planning an international trip for kids. It contains six chapters that are arranged in chronological order, counting down to the trip:
- Backpack-Ready Kids – experts weigh in on traits that signal readiness and independence for int’l travel without parents
- Verify Travel Programs – lists the criteria and techniques to find out if exchange and travel companies are legit
- Essential Planning – planning items for leaders including the importance of registration at U.S. Embassies abroad
- Research and Passports – how to find the health, legal, and visa requirements for the countries you will visit as well as the passport regulations for children under 16, and over 16 (very tricky!)
- Emergency Measures – what to do in case of emergency and who to call in-country or from the U.S.
- Filing Complaints – who to contact if things go wrong
Also included is a valuable checklist with timeline. Know when to order your passports, medevac insurance, and where to look up recommended vaccinations.
Backpack Kids is available as an application (app) at iTunes. This means iPhone and iTouch users can download an interactive copy of Backpack Kids and start planning. We recommend kids download a copy, and get involved, and take responsibility for their own planning too.
Folks who don’t own an Apple device may download Backpack Kids as and Adobe .PDF file.
Backpack Kids will help anyone planning an upcoming trip for children including: student exchange, semester abroad, volunteer trips, gap year travel, spring break, int’l sports competitions, language study programs, music performances, summer abroad, teaching English as a second language job, temporary overseas hire.
American kids travel internationally every day, but many are not prepared for emergencies like the recent earthquakes. Both parents and children assume the leaders know what they are doing, or have experience or training. The truth is that many leaders don’t know how to plan for emergencies or injuries and they are often surprised.
Take the Blue Ridge Community College students who were in Haiti with a non-profit leadership organization. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education article about the event, “Bridget Baylor, a college spokesperson, said that the institution, which does not have a study-abroad program, did not have an emergency plan unique to overseas travel. She said that while the college had copies of the students’ passports, release forms, and emergency contact information, officials were operating in ‘uncharted territory.’”"
No parent should go through that. Advance planning is the key to peace of mind. Help me spread the word about this valuable new resource!
Backpack Kids Sold to European Union Users Today
Users from around the world are benefiting from Backpack Kids and sales in the last week have been brisk. Read the latest review on the App Store website:
“Snowmamma” gave it 5 STARS - ”Love it! Really useful and practical information that gives you piece of mind [sic]. The checklists are great for staying organized and on track. I will never travel without travel insurance again!”
Backpack Kids Opening Screen Shot