Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course

The training focuses on planning and presenting programs for visitors at interpretive sites like nature centers, parks, zoos, historic sites, and museums, but it also provides powerful communication tools for teachers, law/code enforcement officers, librarians, and anyone who works with members of the public to capture attention, to explain a resource or idea, and to inspire positive action on the part of the audience. As Shelton Johnson (National Park Service ranger) put it, “I facilitate astonishment!” 

The classroom portion will be held at the Oxley-Yetter Interpretive Building, surrounded by 10 miles of walking trails and 800+ acres of wildlife habitat. The workshop will keep us busy indoors most of the week, but we will take as many opportunities as the schedule allows to include brief forays onto the trails. Bring hiking shoes and comfortable clothing; if your schedule allows plan to spend a day or two before or after the workshop to enjoy the watchable wildlife and cultural and historical resources in the area. Find out more about the Nature Center’s trails and interpretive programs at www.oxleynaturecenter.org

Course Options

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)

Workshop Venue

Located in Mohawk Park just north of the Tulsa International Airport, Oxley Nature Center has a busy staff of full-time, part-time, and volunteer interpreters carrying out its mission: Inspire the Wonder. The Interpretive Building provides interactive exhibits and information about the area, as well as classroom space for the workshop. Ten miles of trails wander through 800+ acres of prime wildlife habitat. To get to the Interpretive Building, you will drive through Mohawk Park for a mile and a half and along half a mile of entrance road from Oxley Nature Center’s gate. Allow yourself time to slow down, to decompress, and to enjoy the beauty of the drive. You will be watched by wildlife as you arrive.

Web: http://www.oxleynaturecenter.org 

Workshop Trainer

Donna Horton is a Certified Interpretive Trainer, teaching both CIG and CIH workshops through the National Association for Interpretation. She retired from Oxley Nature Center as senior staff naturalist in 2014. Donna was one of Oklahoma State Parks’ first full-time interpretive naturalists, and worked for two resident outdoor education centers in Ohio: Glen Helen OEC and Woodland Altars OEC. She has classroom experience in grades 4-12. In addition to interpretive program development, Donna has designed curriculum for environmental education programs, ranging from day camps for children and special events for all ages to lifetime learning workshops for seniors.

Further Information

This course will meet from 8 am - 5 pm each day. For more information about the course, please contact Donna Horton at donnahortoncit@att.net or call 918-587-0522.

Special Terms and Cancellations

Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed, postmarked, or faxed by November 12, 2017, 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 November 12, 2017.