CIG Desert Research Center January 2017

Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course

January 23-26, 2017
Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center
401 Tilting T Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Instructors: Crystal De Soto, Roger Riolo, and Margie Valdez



The Anza-Borrego Foundation, 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 any resource, facility or business such as visitor centers, nature centers, parks, museums, zoos, tour companies or heritage sites.  *Please note! Additional fees for lodging and field trips will need to be paid separately to ABF  through the following site: http://theabf.org/2017CIG 


What makes this workshop unique: This program offers more than CIG certification. We believe the experience is also an important part of the learning process. We offer each participant the opportunity to experience Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park, located in the lower Colorado Desert during its fabulously mild winter season.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is one of America’s largest state parks at over 630,000 acres. The Park is home to the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. It is a land of extremes, from desert badlands to disappearing canyon streams revealing native palm oases. The area harbors a rich ecological, geological and cultural heritage.

One of the highlights offered in addition to the certification workshop is an optional all-day tour of this spectacular place. This one-of-a-kind tour and demonstration is a tour within a tour, featuring all the dos and don’ts of planning and leading tours while experiencing this fantastic Park.

Course Options

There are two options for this course.

Option one: take the course without obtaining certification.  

Option two: take the course and add certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG). You will pay an additional fee for certification and you must complete an open book Core Literature Review exam. 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 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 3 certification requirements needed to obtain a CIG (open book CORE Literature Review exam, program outline, and 10 minute interpretive presentation).

Texts Used in the Workshop

During this course, the books on interpretation listed below will be mentioned and some of their ideas explored. They are what the open book Core Literature Review exam covers and are useful texts for any interpreter to read. You are not required to purchase these texts for the course and a loaner set of these books will be provided by your instructor during the class for those who choose to add certification. If you would like to buy your own set for use during the class or for you own library, you can order them from NAI’s online store as individual books or as a package and listed under “Core Review Library Package”.  Click here to go to the NAI Store.

The texts are:

  • Interpreting Our Heritage, by Freeman Tilden (4th Edition, U. of North Carolina Press, 2007)
  • The Gifts of Interpretation, by Larry Beck and Ted Cable (Sagamore Publishing, 2011)
  • Personal Interpretation: Connecting Your Audience to Heritage Resources, by Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman (National Association for Interpretation, 2015)
  • Interpretation: Making a Difference on Purpose, by Sam H. Ham (Fulcrum, 2013)



Workshop Location

Nestled at the foot of the San Ysidro Mountains, Borrego Springs is located about 85 miles east of San Diego. It is about a two-hour drive from San Diego, Riverside, or Palm Springs. Many visitors approach from the east or west via Highways S22 and 78. From the coast, these highways descend from the heights of the coastal range with spectacular views of the great Colorado Desert.

We are pleased to offer this year’s workshop at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. It recently opened its doors in a picturesque and historic Borrego Springs facility. The center is administered by University of California Irvine and is operated in cooperation with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Anza-Borrego Foundation. It offers up-to-date classroom and lab facilities with newly constructed dorms. Desert hikes begin right out the back door.

Training Schedule

Sunday, January 22
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Workshop Welcome Reception at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center

Monday-Thursday, January 23-26
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily
CIG Workshop

Friday, January 27
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Desert Tour: A spectacular tour within a tour covering all the things visitors don’t normally see that can make or break the experience. The tour includes short hikes, a stop at a historic site and visits to areas of fascinating geology and paleontology. The 4WD journey will pass through a slot canyon, a mesquite grove and a palm oasis, as well as scenic overlooks. Lunch, water, light refreshments, and transportation provided. Bring binoculars and a camera. Wear a hat and good hiking footwear.

*Please note! Additional fees for lodging and field trips will need to be paid separately to ABF through the following site: http://theabf.org/2017CIG

Lodging

Official Workshop Lodging at UCI Research Center: $175 (5 nights)
The UC Irvine Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center has four dorm rooms, each with six twin beds (three sets of bunk beds), shared bathrooms and full kitchen facilities. Guests must provide their own linens or sleeping bag and towels. The facility is equipped with Wi-Fi. 

Camping in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground: water, flush toilets and showers.
Drive in: $25/night
RV Hookup: $35/night
Reservations: 1-800-444-PARK or www.reserveamerica.com

Hotels, Motels & Resorts: For more information on local lodging, camping, hookups, shopping or dining in the Borrego Springs area visit: www.borregospringschamber.com

Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact Briana Puzzo, Anza Borrego Foundation Education Manager at briana@theabf.org or call  760-767-0446 ext. 1004.

Special Terms and Cancellations

Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed, postmarked, or faxed by January 8, 2017. A nonrefundable processing fee of $50 will be assessed. Emailed cancellations should be sent to registration@interpnet.com. Cancellations cannot be made by phone.

No refunds will be given after January 8, 2017.
When
1/23/2017 - 1/26/2017
Where
Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Researh Center 401 Tilting T Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004 UNITED STATES
Online registration not available.

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