DATES: OCTOBER 6 – 10, 2025
TUITION: $600
LOCATION: GARDINER, MT
GROUP SIZE: 14
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 2
PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Yellowstone Forever Institute, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation, is pleased to offer a professional certification course for individuals who will be delivering interpretive programs or having public contact at interpretive sites such as visitor centers, nature centers, parks, museums, zoos, or guide companies.
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 program aids you in improving your presentation and communication techniques. The program combines both the theoretical foundations of the profession with practical strategies in delivering quality interpretive programming to visitors. CIG students are required to attend all sessions of the workshop, prepare a written outline of a 10-minute thematic presentation, and deliver the presentation during the workshop. Though most work is done during the day, some evening time may be needed to accomplish certification requirements.
October is the perfect time for wildlife watching in the park and students take advantage of this Tuesday morning while on an interpretive field trip on Yellowstone’s northern range. We may have the opportunity to witness part of the fall raptor migration or hear the shrill bugle of an elk — all while overlaying our interpretive skills on how to engage visitors in this complex ecosystem.
This program includes:
- Foundational principles of professional interpretation
- Specific techniques to make your programs personal, organized, enjoyable, thematic, relevant, and creative
- Outdoor sessions focused on informal interpretation (nature hikes, touch tables, etc.)
- Indoor sessions that include interactive group activities and discussions
- One-on-one coaching with a certified trainer
- Opportunities to observe professional interpreters in Yellowstone National Park
- One wildlife watching morning on Yellowstone’s northern range
- All materials, course workbook, certification details, and NAI membership
DAY 1
An Introduction to Interpretation
8:00 a.m. Welcome, Introductions, and Workshop Expectations
9:00 a.m. What is Interpretation? History, Principles, and Samples
11:00 a.m. What is a Theme?
11:45 a.m. Sample Classroom Presentation
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. What skills do interpreters need?
1:15 p.m. Knowing Your Audience
2:15 p.m. Field trip to Mammoth Hot Springs for sample interpretation
4:30 p.m. Depart Mammoth Hot Springs to return to Gardiner; Debrief
4:45 p.m. Afternoon Assignment
DAY 2
Making Meaning: Connecting Tangibles and Intangibles
6:45 a.m. Icebreaker: Share Your Object using Tangibles and Intangibles
7:45 a.m. Field Trip to Yellowstone’s Northern Range
9:45 a.m. Guided Interpretive Hike, lunch in the field
12:15 p.m. Depart for Gardiner
1:45 p.m. Morning Debrief
2:00 p.m. Knowing Your Resource
2:45 p.m. Sample Classroom Presentation
3:15 p.m. Afternoon Assignment
DAY 3
The POETRY of Interpretation
8:00 a.m. Icebreaker: Telling a Place-Based Story
9:00 a.m. Program Development: The Experience Economy
9:30 a.m. The Interactive Formula
10:00 a.m. POETRY: Purposeful, Organized
11:45 a.m. Sample Classroom Presentation
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. POETRY: Enjoyable, Thematic, Relevant, You
2:45 p.m. Depart for interpretation in the field
4:15 p.m. Program debrief
4:30 p.m. Sample Classroom Presentation
4:45 p.m. Afternoon assignment
DAY 4
Delivering Your Program
8:00 a.m. Icebreaker: Engaging Activities Think-Pair-Share
8:30 a.m. Andragogy vs. Pedagogy
9:30 a.m. Questioning and Response Strategies
10:00 a.m. Bloom’s Taxonomy
10:30 a.m. Mission Based Dialogue
11:30 a.m. Additional Program Tips
12:15 p.m. A Recipe for Success
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Preparation for Program Outline and Presentation; One-on-One Meetings with Amanda
DAY 5
Graduation Day
8:00 a.m. Icebreaker: Fear in a Hat
8:15 a.m. Presentations
12:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. Program Finale
Dates & Times: The program begins at 8:00 AM on Monday, October 6, 2025, and goes through 2:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2025.
Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.
Lodging: If interested in lodging, there is some lodging available at our Yellowstone Overlook Field Campus. For those who book lodging, check-in begins 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Sunday, October 5, 2025, and goes through 9:00 AM on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Click to Book Seminar Lodging Now on the right side of this page.
Other Considerations:
This program is offered in Gardiner, Montana, located at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Gardiner, a small community of 800, offers world-class wildlife watching and many geothermal features nearby. Some program sessions are held on the trail (weather permitting) while others are held in the classroom. Sessions require full participation, allowing for engaging and informative interactions with fellow students.
The classroom is located at the side entrance of the Yellowstone Forever Gardiner offices. Due to the intensive nature of the workshop and the park’s large size, exploration of areas more removed from the Gardiner/Mammoth area are on your own. Consider planning an extra day or two to view the wonders Yellowstone offers.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 2
- Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
- For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
- Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
- To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
- All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
- To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.
EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE:
For a full list of recommended equipment for all courses see the Gardiner Field Seminars – Summer General Information document. Please note that because registration is through NAI, the cancellation policy may be different than listed. NAI’s cancellation policy will apply to all registrations.
Please bring a notebook and writing utensils, as well as one item of significance that may be passed around the class.
RECOMMENDED READINGS
No prior reading is required, but participants might enjoy the following publications, that complement the program. They will be available to borrow from our library for your use during the workshop.
Books:
- Gifts of Interpretation by Beck & Cable
- Interpretation: Making a Difference on Purpose by Sam Ham
- Personal Interpretation by Brochu & Merriman
- Interpreting for Park Visitors by William J. Lewis
- Interpreting Our Heritage by Freeman Tilden
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:
Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.
General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Gardiner-Based Field Seminars – General Information document.
Cancellation Policy: Review our Cancellation & Refund Policies here.
BOOK THIS FIELD SEMINAR NOWBOOK SEMINAR LODGING NOW
Amanda Evans | Lead Field Educator
Amanda Evans is a Lead Field Educator for Yellowstone Forever. After extensive wildlife and outdoor education experience in a variety of ecosystems derived from a lifelong passion for wildlife, she has lived and worked on the edge of Yellowstone for the past five years. She feels that it is through firsthand experience with the natural world that people build the strongest connections to it. Her goal is to use education to foster the same appreciation she feels and to inspire others to preserve and protect nature in all spaces.
