Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course
March 25-29, 2019
Brecksville Trailside Program Center
9000 Chippewa Creek Drive, Brecksville, OH 44141
Instructors: Foster Brown and Terry Joyce
Registration Cost: $230 (Certification is an additional $150)
Cleveland Metroparks, 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 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 your 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.
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 days 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 setup. 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.
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)
Instructors
Therese (Terry) Joyce, CIG, CIT, CIHT
After five years as a first-person historic interpreter, Terry Joyce switched gears and for the last 17 years has worked as an interpreter and trainer at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. In 2013 she received the Outstanding Interpreter Award from the Zoos, Wildlife Parks & Aquaria Community of NAI. Terry proudly serves as the Director of the Zoos, Wildlife Parks & Aquaria Community and on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Interpretation.
Foster Brown, CIG, CIT, CIHT
Foster has been an interpreter for over 30 years. Most of his career has been with Cleveland Metroparks as a historical interpreter, naturalist and volunteer coordinator. He has served as a naturalist with Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources, LaGrange County Parks, Asherwood Environmental Learning Center and various outdoor education schools throughout the nation. He is the founder and director of Nature Theatre. He is known for his award winning interpretive songwriting, performing and educational characters. He is a recipient of the NAI Regional and National Award for Master Frontline Interpreter.
Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact Foster Brown at fcb@clevelandmetroparks.com or call (440) 473-3370.
Special Terms and Cancellations
Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed, postmarked, or faxed by March 25, 2019. 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 March 25, 2019.