Interpretive Guide Course (CIG™)

The Interpretive Guide (CIG) course is designed for interpreters who regularly lead interpretive programs and would like to learn more about the fundamentals of interpretation. During this course you will participate in group activities, write a program outline, and deliver a 10-minute presentation on a topic of your choice.

Find a course

In-Person Courses     Online Courses


"The CIG was part of an internship I did just after graduating college. At the time it seemed like a nice perk in addition to the work experience. Since then (2007) it has helped me in every job I’ve had (both interpretive and not) and helped me GET most of my jobs as well!
 —Robyn Anderson, CIT, CIG

Course Content

This 32-hour course covers:

  • The history, definition, and principles of interpretation
  • Techniques 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

Outcomes

After completing this course, you will have a basic knowledge of:

  • The history of the interpretive profession
  • The basic principles of interpretation
  • Creating a program outline
  • Leading a thematic interpretive presentation

Prerequisites

You must be at least 16 years old to register.

Registration Rates

$230 plus an additional $165 for the certificate of completion

Member Benefit

The certificate of completion includes a complimentary one year membership to NAI. Memberships will become active within a couple of weeks of registration and will allow you to purchase webinars 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 membership.

For additional questions, please contact our Certificate Programs Administrator at certification@interpnet.com.

Upcoming In-Person Interpretive Guide Courses

Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center
December 4–December 7, 2023
Sandstone, MN, United States
Instructor(s): Nadine Meyer

12/4/2023 12:00:00 AM

Civic Center Conference Room
December 4–December 7, 2023
Fort Collins, CO, United States
Instructor(s): Monique Thompson

12/4/2023 12:00:00 AM

Dodge Nature Center
December 7–December 14, 2023
Saint Paul, MN, United States
Instructor(s): Jeff Boland

12/7/2023 12:00:00 AM

Stony Creek Metropark - Farmington Hills NC
December 11–December 19, 2023
Farmington, MI, United States
Instructor(s): Ashlie Smith

12/11/2023 12:00:00 AM

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
December 12–December 15, 2023
Saint Louis, MO, United States
Instructor(s): Robyn Parker

12/12/2023 12:00:00 AM

The Adventure Hub
December 12–December 15, 2023
Seattle, WA, United States
Instructor(s): Daniel Moore

12/12/2023 12:00:00 AM

Ernie Miller Nature Center
January 8–January 11, 2024
Olathe, KS, United States
Instructor(s): Andrea Joslin

1/8/2024 12:00:00 AM

Colorado State University
January 11–January 14, 2024
Fort Collins, CO, United States
Instructor(s): Monique Thompson

1/11/2024 12:00:00 AM

Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Cente
January 15–January 19, 2024
Grants Pass, OR, United States
Instructor(s): Kaitlyn Scheffler

1/15/2024 12:00:00 AM

White Mountain Research Center-UCLA
January 22–January 25, 2024
Bishop, CA, United States
Instructor(s): Jeff Gabriel

1/22/2024 12:00:00 AM

UWF Historic Trust
January 23–January 26, 2024
Pensacola, FL, United States
Instructor(s): Jay S. Miller, CIT, CIP

1/23/2024 12:00:00 AM

Dallas Zoo
January 23–February 1, 2024
Dallas, TX, United States
Instructor(s): Shelby Massey

1/23/2024 12:00:00 AM

North Carolina Aquarium On Roanoke Island
February 6–February 9, 2024
Manteo, NC, United States
Instructor(s): Rhana Paris

2/6/2024 12:00:00 AM

Norwalk Aquarium
February 12–February 15, 2024
Norwalk, CT, United States
Instructor(s): Kristin Robinson

2/12/2024 12:00:00 AM

Chattahoochee Nature Center
February 19–February 22, 2024
Roswell, GA, United States
Instructor(s): Christie Hill

2/19/2024 12:00:00 AM

Osprey Wilds ELC
February 20–February 23, 2024
Sandstone, MN, United States
Instructor(s): Nadine Meyer

2/20/2024 12:00:00 AM

Dwight D. Eisenhower Lock Visitor Center
February 26–February 29, 2024
Massena, NY, United States
Instructor(s): Jay Miller

2/26/2024 12:00:00 AM

Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
March 22–March 25, 2024
Clermont, KY, United States
Instructor(s): Wren Smith

3/22/2024 12:00:00 AM

Yellowstone Forever Headquarters
April 22–April 26, 2024
Gardiner, MT, United States
Instructor(s): Amanda Evans

4/22/2024 12:00:00 AM

Yosemite Valley Lodge, Garden Terrace Conference R
April 22–April 25, 2024
Yosemite National Park, CA, United States
Instructor(s): Cory Goehring

4/22/2024 12:00:00 AM

San Antonio River Authority
April 30–May 3, 2024
San Antonio, TX, United States
Instructor(s): Clark Hancock

4/30/2024 12:00:00 AM

Upcoming Online Interpretive Guide Courses

Virtual CIG courses are a combination of online instruction and virtual meetings with your instructor. The virtual course is designed to cover all the same material and requirements as the in-person CIG course. Prior to the start of the course, you will receive information from your instructor on course meeting times.

Courses will be held in the instructor's time zone.

December 4–December 12, 2023 This course is full.
Instructor(s): Kristin Robinson
Bethel, CT, United States

12/4/2023 12:00:00 AM

December 4–December 13, 2023
Instructor(s): Tim F. Merriman
Captain Cook, HI, United States

12/4/2023 12:00:00 AM

December 11–December 19, 2023
Instructor(s): Stephanie Ambrosia
Camarillo, CA, United States

12/11/2023 12:00:00 AM

January 3–January 9, 2024
Instructor(s): Monique Thompson
Windsor, CO, United States

1/3/2024 12:00:00 AM

January 8–January 19, 2024
Instructor(s): Rita Poussaint Nethersole
Roxbury, MA, United States

1/8/2024 12:00:00 AM

January 9–February 27, 2024
Instructor(s): Robert L. Carter
Pekin, IL, United States

1/9/2024 12:00:00 AM

January 16–February 7, 2024
Instructor(s): Nikki Rohde
Mesa, AZ, United States

1/16/2024 12:00:00 AM

January 16–January 23, 2024
Instructor(s): Kristin Robinson
Bethel, CT, United States

1/16/2024 12:00:00 AM

February 26–March 5, 2024
Instructor(s): Kristin Robinson
Bethel, CT, United States

2/26/2024 12:00:00 AM

March 4–March 15, 2024
Instructor(s): Rita Poussaint Nethersole
Roxbury, MA, United States

3/4/2024 12:00:00 AM

March 12–April 3, 2024
Instructor(s): Nikki Rohde
Mesa, AZ, United States

3/12/2024 12:00:00 AM

April 8–April 16, 2024
Instructor(s): Kristin Robinson
Bethel, CT, United States

4/8/2024 12:00:00 AM

May 6–May 14, 2024
Instructor(s): Kristin Robinson
Bethel, CT, United States

5/6/2024 12:00:00 AM

June 3–June 11, 2024
Instructor(s): Kristin Robinson
Bethel, CT, United States

6/3/2024 12:00:00 AM