January 17 - March 9, 2023, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: noon- 2:00 p.m.
Montana Natural History Center
120 Hickory St., Suite A, Missoula, MT, 59801
Instructors: Christine Morris and Kristjana Eyjólfsson
Registration Cost: $230 (The certificate is an additional $150)
Calling all interpretive program educators, present, and future! If you work, or plan to work, in museums, environmental education, field-based settings, or any educational capacity with the public, we have a fabulous opportunity for you. Learn to create, conduct, and evaluate interpretive presentations and programs, and gain the tools to make your programs shine. Explore topics through immersion in museums and outdoor learning spaces. Special guests will provide indigenous perspectives, insight on the career of a naturalist guide, how to create exhibits and signs, and more!
The Montana Natural History Center and the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), is offering a training course for individuals in the field of Interpretation. It is designed for individuals who deliver interpretive programs or have contact with the public at interpretive sites.
Course Options
There are two options for this course.
Option one: take the course without obtaining the CIG certificate.
Option two: take the course and add the certificate as a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG). You will pay an additional fee for the certificate. The CIG lasts four years and comes with a complimentary one year membership. If you are already a member of NAI we will add your complimentary membership onto the end of your current membership.
**If you are a full-time student you are eligible for a $25 discount on the certificate. Please contact the instructor to get the promo code to use when registering.**
UM students can sign up for course credit: HSTR 491: Historical Interpretation
The CIG Program
The nationally recognized Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) program is designed for anyone in the interpretive field. Whether you’re a new hire, a professional looking to refresh your skills, or beginning a second career, this course will aid you in improving your presentation techniques. The course combines the theoretical foundations of the profession with practical strategies in delivering quality interpretive programming to visitors.
This 32-hour course includes:
- The history, definition, and principles of interpretation.
- Techniques on how to make your programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic.
- How to use tangible objects to connect your audience to intangible ideas and universal concepts.
- The 2 requirements needed to obtain a CIG (program outline, and 10 minute interpretive presentation).
Member Discount
Those choosing to apply for certification will receive a complimentary one year membership to NAI. Memberships will become active within a couple of weeks of registration and will allow you to purchase course books and other registrations at the discounted member rate. Once memberships become active, you will receive a receipt via email letting you know that you are all set up. Current NAI members will receive a one year extension on their current membership. If you are registering for $0, your membership will become active when you are certified.
Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact Christine Morris at cmorris@montananaturalist.org or call (406) 327-0405.
Instructors
Christine Morris is a naturalist and Community Programs Coordinator with the Montana Natural History Center. She teaches the Master Naturalist Course as well as a variety of pre-K through adult programs. Christine has 15 years of experience in environmental education and interpretation including positions as a park ranger in the Department of Interpretation at Rocky Mountain National Park and Environmental Education Director for Boys and Girls Clubs of King County, Seattle.
Kristjana Eyjólfsson is the Education Director for the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. Before joining the HMFM team more than 9 years ago she worked for the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, California State Parks, National Museums Scotland, and as a field archaeologist in Scotland. When not at the museum sharing her passion for history with people of all ages and abilities, you can find her enjoying nature with her family and pups, or at home figuring out how to parent a toddler and a teenager.
Special Terms and Cancellations
Participants are allowed to transfer one time at no charge. Cancellation and transfer requests cannot be made by phone and must be made in writing and emailed, postmarked, or faxed by January 1, 2023. Cancellations processed before the cancellation deadline will be subject to a $50 cancellation fee (if fees paid are less than $50, no refund will be processed). Cancellations made after this date will not receive a refund. Emailed cancellations and transfers should be sent to certification@interpnet.com.