Certified Interpretive Guide Training Workshop

March 7-10, 2016
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Superior, Arizona



Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 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.

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
• provide own meals and lodging
• complete a 50-question open book literature review
• produce a one-page presentation outline - Trainers will allow sufficient time for coaching individual participants prior to grading outline
• deliver a ten-minute thematic interpretive talk on last day of workshop - trainers will ensure each participant has the opportunity to review content and techniques of talk with a trainer prior to presenting

Cost, per Participant:
Instruction: $55/day x 4 days = $220
CIG Certification Fee: $80
NAI Membership (1 Year): $50 (already an NAI member, pay $0)
CIG Workbook: $10
TOTAL: $360 ($310 if already NAI member)

Special Rate for College Students:
NAI Student Membership (1 Year): $25 (instead of $50)
TOTAL: $335

Core Review Library Package

If you wish to purchase your own books, NAI offers a discounted package price if you are a current member or you purchase directly from your instructor. To order directly from NAI please visit www.interpnet.com/store. Order the "Core Review Library Package" and have the books shipped to you now. The books are $107 for current members or through the instructor, and $135 for non-members, plus shipping. It is recommended that you look over the material in advance to allow you to focus more on class activities during the workshop.

Texts used are:

• The Gifts of Interpretation (Larry Beck and Ted Cable)
• Interpretation: Making a Difference on Purpose (Sam Ham)
• Personal Interpretation (Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman)
• Interpreting our Heritage (Freeman Tilden)
  
  

Workshop Trainer

Dr. Robert J. Lillie is an Emeritus Professor of Geosciences at Oregon State University, a Certified Interpretive Trainer through the National Association for Interpretation, and an instructor and interpretive trainer for the Oregon Master Naturalist Program. Bob has served as a seasonal and volunteer interpretive park ranger at Yellowstone, Crater Lake, John Day Fossil Beds, Sunset Crater, Petrified Forest, and other National Park Service (NPS) sites. He is author of "Parks and Plates: The Geology of Our National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores" (W. W. Norton and Company, 2005) and “Beauty from the Beast: Plate Tectonics and the Landscapes of the Pacific Northwest” (Wells Creek Publishers, 2015). From 2007 to 2011, he was the Education and Outreach Manager for EarthScope, a nationwide program of the National Science Foundation. Bob and his graduate students have written and illustrated geology interpretive training manuals for a number of NPS sites, including Grand Canyon National Park and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in Arizona.

Workshop Venue

Boyce Thompson Arboretum is an Arizona State Park located 3 miles west of Superior, Arizona. It is a one-hour drive east of Phoenix, near milepost 223 on US Highway 60. From north Tucson it’s about 90 minutes, via Oracle Road to Highway 79 north through Florence, continuing on 79 and then east on US 60 to milepost 223. GPS coordinates: 33.28094° N, 111.16135° W. US-AZ mapcode: MC3.WC4. Early March is a great time to be there!

Further information about the venue

Lacey Pacheco, M.Ed.
Director of Education, Librarian
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
37615 U.S. Hwy. 60
Superior, AZ, 85173
Phone: (520)-689-2723
E-mail: LPacheco@cals.arizona.edu
Web: arboretum.ag.arizona.edu

Further information about the workshop

Robert J. Lillie
22370 Wells Creek Road
Philomath, OR, 97370
Phone: (541)-231-2247
E-mail: lillier@geo.oregonstate.edu
Web: www.robertjlillie.com

Registration

Download the registration form.


Photos by Steve Semken.