The Cleveland Metroparks, 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 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.

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.

Leonard Krieger CanalWay Center
Located on 325 acres in the heart of Cleveland’s industrial “Hidden Valley,” Leonard Krieger CanalWay Center in Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation offers unique opportunities for discovery. CanalWay Center is accessed by the entry drive off 49th Street, which leads into the heart of the reservation and includes land donated by Aluminum Co. of America (ALCOA), Cleveland Electric Illuminating a First Energy Company, Birmingham Steel, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and BP AMOCO.

Visitors will pass picnic areas and play fields as they approach the visitor center, its design is reminiscent of a 19th century factory. There visitors will find panoramic views of the historic CSX railway trestle, pipelines, and steel mills of industrial Cleveland as well as the lush fields and forests of the Cuyahoga River Valley. The reservation offers hiking, birding, picnicking, fishing and biking and is linked to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park by the towpath.

Lodging
If you’re coming from out of town and need lodging while attending the training, the following motels are within 1-2 miles of CanalWay Center.

Holiday Inn   
6001 Rockside Road
Independence Ohio 44131
877-863-4780
holidayinn.com

Comfort Inn
6191 Quarry Lane (off Rockside)
Independence, OH 44131
216-328-7777
comfortinn.com

Red Roof Inn
6020 Quarry Lane (off Rockside)
Independence, Oh 44141
216-447-0030
redroof.com

Registration
Download the registration form here.

Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact Dr. Bob Hinkle at rdh@clevelandmetroparks.com or call 216-341-9225.