Interpretive Tips and Tricks — Virtual Adventurer
—Kayla “KJ” Jones, State Park Interpreter II, PORTS Program, Interpretation and Education Division
Your new favorite interpretive tool for digital storytelling.
Have you checked out our latest storytelling tool? Say “hello” to Virtual Adventurer! This is one of California State Parks’ official mobile apps, transforming park stories into interactive adventures. It’s an engaging way for visitors to connect with parks, whether they are next to a historic site, exploring a trail, or learning from home.
With this app, visitors can immerse themselves in the stories that bring these locations to life, whether they are on-site or exploring remotely. The best part is that you can easily integrate all your favorite digital assets—there’s no need to start from scratch. You can repurpose existing interpretive materials and create new, updated experiences for the public. That beloved park brochure? It’s getting a digital upgrade! Enhance it with captivating videos, guided narrations, and even include augmented and virtual reality elements to truly engage your audience.
In the Virtual Adventurer app, users can explore both the exterior (above photo) and interior (below photo) of a Yurok redwood plank house, known as the ‘oohl’we-’o’l or the people’s house, through the Sue-Meg State Park virtual reality experience.
How It Works:
Virtual Adventurer is a free and user-friendly mobile app that lets users explore engaging interpretive content through points of interest created by you, the park content expert! Want to take it a step further? By leveraging your expertise about the park and collaborating with local community members and other stakeholders, you can create a digital storytelling route for visitors. Share the unique stories that make your park truly special!
Why it matters (and why it’s exciting!):
- Connect visitors & parks: Help visitors connect to your park, whether they’re onsite or engaging remotely.
- Enhance Education: A powerful tool for interpreters and educators, allowing for interactive experiences that engage the public creatively.
- Empower Staff: No tech expertise needed! Upload or adapt your existing materials to keep things fresh.
- Accessible to All: Free, ADA-friendly, and easy to navigate–so more visitors can fully participate in your park’s experiences.
In the Virtual Adventurer app, users can learn about Kumeyaay Cosmology from Old Town San Diego SHP. Interpretive exhibits and markers (left photo) were incorporated into the app’s 360-degree experience (right photo).
How it Supports State Parks Priorities:
Virtual Adventurer directly aligns with key departmental initiatives, including the Rexamining Our Past Initiative, by creating content that provides a more accurate and inclusive understanding of history. It also promotes accessibility with the Outdoors for All Initiative, enabling visitors to experience parks both in person and remotely. This approach expands outreach and inclusivity for everyone. Furthermore, it highlights the documentation of digital heritage, focusing on historical buildings, artifacts, and landscapes through the use of immersive technology.
State Park Interpreter, Laurel Rodger, shares how users can access, explore Oceano Dunes SVRA, and have fun with Virtual Adventurer!
Ready to step into the future of storytelling? Let’s do it!
First, download the app and discover how parks are sharing their unique stories. Next, collect your park’s current digital assets, such as photos and interpretive text, or create an outline of your key stories. Once you have this information, reach out to Kayla Jones (KJ) or Jennifer Langer to start building your park’s digital story in Virtual Adventurer!