Virtual Interpretive Guide Course Registration

Virtual CIG Captain Cook HI May 2023

May 1-11, 2023
Instructor: Tim Merriman
Registration Cost: $254 (Certification is an additional $165)
The book Personal Interpretation is included with this course.

The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is offering an online 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.  This course will be a combination of online instruction and virtual meetings with your instructor. Note, this course is designed to cover all the same material and requirements as the in-person Certified Interpretive Guide course and the certificate awarded is the same as our face to face offerings. Prior to the start of the course, you will receive information from your instructor on how the course will work and the times you will be meeting.

Please note: if you register for this course less than two weeks prior to the start, you may receive your CIG Workbook late due to current shipping times. Please make sure your shipping address is up-to-date on your account.

Course Options

There are two options for this course. 
Option one: take the course without earning the certificate.  
Option two: take the course and add the certificate for the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG). 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.

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 virtual 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 certification requirements needed to obtain a CIG (program outline and 10 minute interpretive presentation).

NAI Membership

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.

Dates and Times

This course will run from Monday 5/1 to Friday 5/5/23 from 8am to 12pm Hawaii Time. You will have the weekend to work on presentations. On Monday 5/8 we will have 20-minute coaching sessions with each participant on an appointment basis so you will know when to connect. We will be using Zoom and you will receive an invitation for each session. On Thursday, 5/11 we will have all of the 10-minute thematic presentations by participants. You are required to attend all sessions, including the presentations of others if in pursuit of the CIG certificate..

Platform Access

You will need a computer or laptop with excellent Internet access and the ability to login to Zoom.com for the online training. A smartphone or tablet is a useful backup device for emergencies but should not be your primary access tool. We do take hourly breaks on Zoom. Though international participants are welcome, all sessions are in English and presentations must be in English.

Further Information

Prior to the start of the course, you will receive information from Tim Merriman on how the course will work and the times you will be meeting. His contact information is timfmerriman@gmail.com and (808) 854-3555.

Instructor

Tim Merriman is one of the originators of the NAI’s CIG program and co-author of the text, Personal Interpretation: Connecting Your Audience to Heritage Resources, along with Lisa Brochu (pictured below). The text is required for the course and is purchased as part of this registration. Tim has 50 years of experience in the field in public, private and non-profit natural and cultural heritage organizations. 

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 April 16, 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.

When
5/1/2023 - 5/11/2023
Where
Captain Cook, HI 96704 UNITED STATES
Registration not available.
My registration status: Not registered
Need to use a different card to pay for your certification fee?
If you need to pay with two cards, please register for the base registration and pay with the first card. Once you have completed the payment, come back to this registration page and add the certification fee. When you proceed to the payment page again, you will be asked to enter new payment information.

Already registered for the course but need to add the certification fee?
If you've already registered but haven't already added the certification fee to your registration, you can come back to this page at any time and add the fee.

If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact us at certification@interpnet.com