The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation, is offering 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 is geared for natural historical interpreters, naturalists, environmental educators, park rangers, nature center staff, trail guides, etc. Whatever you call yourself, if you INTERPRET the natural world with the goal of CONNECTING VISITORS to your site (i.e. THE RESOURCE), this program is for you. 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
• lunch, snacks, and drinks provided each day

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. Participants desiring certification must attend the full 32-hour course, pass an open book exam on the fundamentals of interpretation, prepare a thematic presentation outline, and deliver a 10-minute program which meets interpretative requirements (video-taped). You can also elect to take the training without becoming certified (at a reduced rate, see below).

Interpretation Library
The following text books will be needed to complete the open book exam. The host site will have copies of these books available for your use during the workshop. However, if you wish to purchase your own books, NAI offers a discounted package price. Visit www.interpnet.com/store/ or call NAI at 888-900-8283, order the "CIG Certification Library" to have the books shipped to you now. The books are excellent references, and if your site does not have these already you may want to consider purchasing a set.

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.

Registration
Register by phone or in person at McDowell Nature Center (704) 588-5224, or online at www.parkandrec.com (course 10456). Space is very limited. Download the information flyer here.

Further Information
Instructors are Christopher Horrigan, Nature Center Manager, and Michael Kirschman, Division Director for Nature Preserves and Natural Resources. The setting for the course is McDowell Nature Center, located in the 1,100 acre McDowell Nature Preserve on the shores of Lake Wylie in southwest Charlotte. Daily class begins at 8:00am and ends at 5:00pm.

Various lodging options are available nearby. If you enjoy camping, McDowell also has a 56-site campground, complete with a full showerhouse, laundry facilities, and RV, primitive, and rent-a-tent sites. For more information about the training or lodging, please call (704) 588-5224.