CIG Texas A&M University May 2020

Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course

May 4-7, 2020
Texas A&M University
600 John Kimbrough Blvd., College Station, TX 77843 (AGLS 125)
Instructors: Susan Scott and Rick Harwell
Registration Cost: $255 (Certification is an additional $150)



Texas A&M University, 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)

Pre-Class Texas Birding Opportunity

If participants are interested, David Scott will happily take workshop attendees to birding hotspots near campus (painted buntings & scissor-tailed flycatchers are highlights) or to the upper Texas coast on Sunday, May 3. There is no “fee” for this as such; but participants should plan to chip in for gas. If the group decides to visit High Island, there is an entry fee of $8 to the Houston Audubon sites. Migration of songbirds and shorebirds will be in full swing! Meals will be on your own. Binoculars are available for anyone who would like to borrow them for the day. Please email Susan Scott if you’re interested at sgscott@tamu.edu.

Lodging

Numerous hotels and Airbnbs are within a few miles of campus. There are several options for RV camping, but the only tent camping within 30 minutes’ drive is at Lake Bryan (mixed reviews): https://www.lakebryan.com/

Parking

May 4-7 falls within the final exam period. Parking on campus is easier than usual at this time; however parking tickets are common if visitors aren’t careful. There are very few open visitor spots which allow on-the-spot payment, so workshop participants are encouraged to obtain Pre-Paid Visitor Permits (for use in Lot 100, across the street from AGLS) at a cost of $5 per day: https://transport.tamu.edu/Parking/visitor.aspx#prepaid

Food

Included in the course fee are the costs of snacks and room rental. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions so we can accommodate your needs. Meals will be on your own. A few dining options are within walking distance and many others are within a short drive.

Further Information

“The Gardens” at Texas A&M surround the academic building (Agriculture and Life Sciences Building, Room 125) on west campus in which the course will be held. Locate it via a search for “AGLS” on the campus map https://aggiemap.tamu.edu/map/d

For more information about the course, please contact Susan Scott at sgscott@tamu.edu or call (979) 845-5350.

Special Terms and Cancellations

Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed, postmarked, or faxed by April 19, 2020. 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 April 19, 2020.
When
5/4/2020 - 5/7/2020
Where
Texas A&M University 600 John Kimbrough Blvd. College Station, TX 77843 UNITED STATES
Online registration not available.

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