Middleton Place, the South Carolina Aquarium and the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation, will offer a professional certification course for individuals who will be delivering interpretive programs or having public contact at interpretive sites.

The CIG Program
The Certified Interpretive Guide program is designed for anyone who delivers interpretive programs to the public. It combines both the theoretical foundations of the profession with practical skills in delivering quality interpretive programming to visitors.

This 32-hour course includes:

• history, definition, and principles of interpretation
• making your programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic
• using tangible objects to connect audiences to intangible ideas and universal concepts in interpretive programs
• presentation and communication skills
• certification requirements (open book exam; program outline; 10-min. presentation)
• all materials, workbook, and CIG course textbook

Requirements for the CIG Course:
Anyone age 16 or over with a desire to increase their knowledge and skills related to interpretation may participate. Membership in NAI is not required, but NAI members may pay a discounted fee to participate in the program. You can also elect to take the training without becoming certified.

Cost:
$353 Certification (non-member): includes instructor fee ($220), NAI membership ($45), certification fee ($80), and course materials ($8)
$308 Certification (NAI member): includes instructor fee ($220), certification fee ($80), and course materials fee ($8) (Must be an individual membership)
$273 Cost Without Certification (includes NAI membership)

Lodging:

The Inn at Middleton Place
A special rate of $99/night will be offered to participants. Please specify that you are attending the CIG training when you make your reservations.
4290 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 556-0500
Toll free - (800) 543-4774
Fax - (843) 556-5673
Email the Inn here

Holiday Inn Express Charleston-Summerville
120 Holiday Dr.
Summerville, SC 29483
Toll free - (877) 863-4780‎

Country Inn & Suites
220 Holiday Dr
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 285-9000‎

Interpretation Library
The texts used are:

• Environmental Interpretation by Sam Ham
• Interpreting Our Heritage by Freeman Tilden
• Interpretation of Natural and Cultural Resources by Knudsen, Cable & Beck
• Interpretation for the 21st Century by Beck & Cable
• Sharing Nature with Children by Joseph Cornell
• Interpreting for Park Visitors by Bill Lewis

A set of books needed to complete the open book exam will be provided for the class to use during the workshop; however if you wish to purchase your own set of six interpretive texts (does not include the CIG course textbook which is already provided in your registration fee), you may do so for the price of $120 plus $10 for shipping.
To purchase your own set of books, go to: www.interpnet.com/store/acatalog/Publications_Page_1.html

Registration
Download registration form here.

Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact

Scott Enter, M.Ed., CIT
CIG & CIH Instructor
Director of Interpretation
South Carolina National Heritage Corridor
(803) 331-9535
senter@scprt.com

Or

Whit McMillan, M.S., CIT, CIG
CIG Instructor
Education Director
South Carolina Aquarium
(843) 579-8563
wmcmillan@scaquarium.org