The Chattahoochee Nature Center, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation, is offering a professional certification course for individuals who will be delivering interpretive programs, have public contact at interpretive sites, or would like to build their skills and resume.

The CIG Program
The Certified Interpretive Guide program is designed for anyone who delivers or would like to deliver  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

As a result of this training you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the understanding that interpretation is a profession
• Identify the characteristics of interpretive audiences
• Explain why and how interpreters need to relate to their audience
• Convey the importance of providing interpretation for different learning styles
• Understand the need for audience analysis
• Articulate the need for conducting content related research
• Establish the relationship between tangibles, intangibles and universals
• Synthesize information about audiences and resources
• Write a presentation outline
• Demonstrate understanding of the guiding principles of interpretation

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.

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 lower the cost by electing to take the training without becoming certified.

Interpretation Library
If you wish to purchase your own books, NAI offers a discounted package price of $120 + $12 shipping.  One set of books will be available for loan during the class, but may not be taken home.  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. You may also purchased used copies of the books at may on-line booksellers.  You may also set up an appointment to browse the materials at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in advance of the class or during the week between classes.  I highly recommended reading or browsing the material in advance or between classes 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
Download the registration form here.

Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact Amy Bram at a.bram@chattnaturecenter.org or call (770) 992.2055 x232.

Your Leaders:
Amy Bram is a Certified Interpretive Trainer and has managed environmental education programs at the Chattahoochee Nature Center for seven years.  She is a dynamic and engaging instructor with unlimited enthusiasm for interpretation.  She will ignite you passion and inspire you!

Joey Giunta has been interpreting and teaching environmental education throughout metro Atlanta for four years.  He is also a trainer for Projects Wet, Wild and Learning Tree and serves on the board of the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia.
 
The Setting
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is located on the Chattahoochee River in Roswell and sits on a beautiful site comprised of 127 acres of native plants and gardens that showcase the beauty of Georgia.  It has a River Boardwalk, LEED Certified Discovery Center, wetland gardens and woodland trails that are home to over 30 species of wildlife. For over 30 years, this facility has continued to grow and reach out to citizens as a place to explore new ideas and expand the awareness of the natural world. 

Getting There
The Chattahoochee Nature Center located in the suburbs just north of Atlanta and is easily accessible from many directions.  Please visit http://www.chattnaturecenter.org/hours-admission-attire-directions.html for the best directions.