Are you interested in a 32 hour professional certification course for your museum staff? Tom is a Certified Interpretive Trainer under the National Association of Interpretation and can teach the Interpretive Guide curriculum. Your staff get an internationally recognised accreditation in the fundamentals of heritage interpretation, we get to do what we love: train interpreters to give great guest experiences!
What is the CIG Course?
Interpretive Guide Course (CIG™)
The Interpretive Guide (CIG) course is designed for interpreters who regularly lead interpretive programs and would like to learn more about the fundamentals of interpretation. During this course you will participate in group activities, write a program outline, and deliver a 10-minute presentation on a topic of your choice.
The National Association of Interpretation is a non-profit professional organisation “currently serving about 6,500 members in the United States and over thirty other nations.” Their courses are excellent at reinforcing interpretive principles and commonly used at historic sites, national parks, wilderness centres, and museums.
Completing the CIG course provides an internationally respected Certification (including a pin) and a 1 year membership in NAI.
What are the details?
The coursework comprises 32 hours, usually done over 4 days but fully possible to do over a few weeks. It can be delivered in person or online. It is usually done in a one-week workshop, and the interpreters submit a program outline and give a 10 minute program as demonstration of competency. The cost per participant is $600 USD, paid to NAI for all course materials, certification, pins, and memberships.
We require at least 60 days notice minimum to set up a course.
Why Book a CIG Through North Wind?
As trainers, Tom and Kevin have nearly fifty years of interpretive experience.
Tom Long has been an interpreter and museums professional since 2002. He has worked at museums and historic sites in Edmonton, Vancouver, and in New Zealand. He has training from the National Association of Interpretation, Museum Hack, the Disney Institute, and the Alberta Museums Association. He has trained interpreters as young as 4 and as old as 80, in roving interpretation, living history, tour guiding, supervising interpreters, and much more. Tom was part of a team that was awarded “Gold” in the Interpretation Canada Awards of Excellence in 2014.
Our frequent collaborator Kevin Baron is also a CIT. Kevin Baron has led CIG courses for Government of Alberta interpreters for the past few years. His extensive experience includes a long stint as Interpreter with Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Before that he was an interpreter for the City of Edmonton (Fort Edmonton Park and John Walter Museum), the Alberta Protocol Office (Government House), and Alberta Parks.
Want to find out more? This video also features NAI’s head of certification and development describing the programme.
Inquiries
Fill out this form if you’d like to inquire about booking a workshop:
North Wind Heritage Consulting 