The Yellowstone Association Institute, 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.

This course will be offered in Gardiner, Montana, at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Gardiner is convenient to world-class wildlife watching, and many geothermal features. If you are a newcomer to the Institute you will be amazed at what awaits you during each day of exploration. Since its inception in 1976, the Institute has been a respected educational program that offers diverse and in-depth study of the Yellowstone area, bringing back instructors and students year after year. Our goal is to provide you with an enjoyable, high-quality educational experience and a safe and memorable time in Yellowstone.

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
• NAI membership

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 Yellowstone Association will have the interpretation library books for you to borrow during the class. 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" and have the books shipped to you now. I highly recommended reading the material in advance as it is a lot of material to cover and this will free up your evenings and allow you to focus more on class activities.

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
Course fee is $370, which includes tuition, course materials, certification fees, and NAI membership. Lodging and meals are not included. Please contact registrar@yellowstoneassociation.org or (406) 848-2400 to register.  

Course Instructor
Jenny Golding, M.S. has worked in the environmental and outdoor education field for 15+ years, for organizations such as the Appalachian Trail conference, Student Conservation Association, and Virginia Tech. She is a certified Leave No Trace Master Educator, Certified Interpretive Trainer through the National Association for Interpretation, and Wilderness first Responder. Jenny is currently Program Manager for the Yellowstone Association.

Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact the Yellowstone Association Registrar at registrar@yellowstoneassociation.org, or (406) 848-2400, or see a full course description online at: www.yellowstoneassociation.org/institute/fieldSeminars/courseDetail.aspx?cid=1073