South Suburban Parks and Recreation in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation, is offering a professional certification course for individuals who deliver interpretive programs or have public contact at any resource, facility or business such as visitor centers, nature centers, parks, museums, zoos, tour companies or heritage sites.

South Platte Park is an 880-acre riparian (riverside) park near Denver.  This workshop is primarily indoors, but will make use of the trails and open space as much as possible, including sessions along the river as weather allows. 

The instructors for this class, Skot Latona and Phil Waltz have taught together for many years, including CIG courses previously at South Platte Park, leading tours around the western US, and leading an interpretation training for Park Managers of Belize National Parks.  They will bring their experience and passion to make this course enjoyable and successful for YOU!

In addition to practical exercises on the trails and in the nature center, enjoy a bright classroom, opportunities for walks along the river during breaks (start of spring migration at a nationally recognized Important Bird Area, for you birders!), use of a regional bike/blade trail, nearby restaurants ranging from fast food to four star, and a teaching team determined to keep things fun and on track!  This intensive course is packed into 4 days, so plan an extra day or two in the area as free time will be limited due to presentation and lit review activities.
 
The CIG Program
The Certified Interpretive Guide program is designed for anyone who delivers interpretive programs to the public. It combines the theoretical foundations of the profession with practical skills in delivering quality interpretive programming to audiences.
This 32-hour workshop includes:

• History, definition, and principles of interpretation
• Making your programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic.
• Programming emotional and intellectual ideas into your presentations to connect audiences to the resource.
• Tailoring your programs for diverse audiences and various learning styles.
• Presentation and communication skills.
• Interactive group activities, demonstrations, and individual sessions with instructor.
• All materials, course workbook and supplemental text, Personal Interpretation.

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 pay a discounted fee. You may also elect to take the training without becoming certified.

Why become a CIG?
The CIG is an internationally recognized professional certification. Many potential employers and volunteer recruiters actively seek certified interpreters.

Workshop participants are expected to :

• Attend entire workshop.
• Complete a 50-question literature review
• Produce a one page presentation outline. Trainers will allow significant time for coaching with individual participants prior to grading outline.
• Deliver a ten-minute thematic interpretive talk on last day of workshop. Once again, trainers will insure each participant has the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring prior to presenting.
• Provide for your own meals and lodging.

Certification Library: A set of books needed to complete the literature review will be provided for your use during the workshop; however if you wish to purchase your own set of six interpretive texts, you may do so for a member discounted package price of $120 plus $10 for shipping. You may order these from http://www.interpnet.com/store/acatalog/Publications_Page_1.html.
Or you may order a library set with your workshop registration.
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.

Getting There:
South Platte Park is in Littleton, Colorado, in the southwest suburbs of the Denver metro region.  A room discount of 50% is available to participants at the renowned Lone Tree Golf and Hotel Resort (normally $150+ per night), or several reasonable hotels are nearby.  Participants will need their own transportation or can use public transportation by RTD bus or light rail (www.rtd-denver.com).  The Park is just a block north and west of the Mineral Avenue Lightrail Station.  You can even stay in a hotel in downtown Denver, enjoying all that the Mile Hi City has to offer, and make a very easy daily commute on the train (line c or d). 

Workshop Trainers:
Skot Latona is a Certified Interpretive Trainer and Certified Heritage Interpreter, and has managed the Interpretation Program at South Platte Park for the past 10 years.  Prior to that he worked as an interpreter for Colorado State Parks, and represented NAI for an interpretive design project on the Great Wall in Beijing, China.   He received the Region 7 Master Frontline Interpreter award in 2005. 

Phil Waltz is a Certified Interpretive Trainer, and has managed the Nature Center at South Platte Park as well as the international trips, ecotours, and outdoor recreation programs of South Suburban for the past 10 years.  Phil was an interpreter for Colorado State Parks, and consults on interpretive sign projects throughout the region.

Registration Costs:
Costs vary based on residency and certification/membership desires:  Standard cost is $360 for certification, membership, and course.  Residents of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District subtract $20, Active volunteers subtract $120.  To audit the course WITHOUT certification, subtract $120.  For other options (no certification or membership, certification but no membership, special circumstances) contact the instructors.

To Register:
Click here or visit www.sspr.org/nature and search for class number 674531, or call 303-347-5999

For questions or further information contact:
Skot Latona, skotl@sspr.org or Phil Waltz philipw@sspr.org or 303-730-1022.