CIG A Naturalist's World October 2021

Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course

October 18-21, 2021
A Naturalist's World
9 Jardine Road, Gardiner, MT 59030
Instructor: Carolyn Bulin
Registration Cost: $345 (Certification is an additional $150)

A Naturalist's World and Yellowstone Wild Tours, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), is offering a training course for individuals in the field of Interpretation. Join us for a unique Certified Interpretive Guide training experience in Gardiner, MT, the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Through engaging classroom and field sessions, we will explore the foundations of interpretation – and beyond! 

This course is designed to take advantage of our location, with field sessions in northern Yellowstone to complement our classroom discussions; and is designed to engage individuals who are new to the field of interpretation as well as more experienced interpreters looking to add formal training or additional tools to their interpretive skillset. 

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 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 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)

Additional Course Topics

In addition to the core CIG program outlined above, this course will also explore principles and techniques to interpret controversial or difficult topics (using Yellowstone issues as our example).  Other additional topics may be included as time and students’ interests allow.

Lodging Option

Shared lodging is available on-site at A Naturalist’s World for $35 per person per night.  Please email Carolyn at charwood906@gmail.com for further information or to reserve your lodging.

Optional Yellowstone Interpretive Tour Add-On

On Friday October 22nd (the day after your course concludes), enjoy an optional interpretive wildlife tour of Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley area with Yellowstone Wild Tours to celebrate the completion of the course and to see another example of interpretation in action.  The price for the 8-hour interpretive wildlife tour will not exceed $200 per person (includes breakfast, lunch, transportation, and optics for wildlife viewing), and may be less depending on the number of registrants.  For additional information or to reserve your spot, please email Carolyn at charwood906@gmail.com.  Family and friends are welcome to register for the tour on a space-available basis.

Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact Carolyn Bulin at chardwood906@gmail.com or call (616) 560-2634.

Special Terms and Cancellations

Cancellations and transfers must be made in writing and emailed, postmarked, or faxed by October 3, 2021. A nonrefundable processing fee of $50 will be assessed. Emailed cancellations and transfers should be sent to registration@interpnet.com. Cancellations and transfers cannot be made by phone.

No transfers or refunds will be given after October 3, 2021.
When
10/18/2021 - 10/21/2021
Where
A Naturalist's World 9 Jardine Road Gardiner, MT 59030 UNITED STATES
Online registration not available.

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