Certified Interpretive Guide Program Offered at UHMC

The Sustainable Living Institute of Maui and the University of Hawai‘i Maui College Office of Continuing Education & Training is offering certification in the nationally recognized Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) program this November 2018.

The CIG Certification course focuses on developing and expanding interpretive tools and techniques for guides, volunteers, park rangers, and/or individuals who deliver interpretive programs.

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. Participants learn the techniques 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; and how to improve connections with diverse audiences and perspectives by learning how to identify different audience types, motivations, and interests. The course helps students breathe life into boring facts and figures and transform them into an engaging story.

The course is taught by Lauren Blickley, who has worked within Maui’s environmental and tourism industries for close to a decade. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science and Biology and a Master of Environmental Science and Management degree from University of California, Santa Barbara, she started off in Maui as a guide for snorkel and whale watching operations. Eventually she formed her own consulting business to improve outreach, education and communication channels for non-profits and environmental businesses.

In addition to this, she continues to exercise her tour guiding muscles by leading week long immersive excursions throughout Hawai‘i for adults, college level, and middle/high school students. Through
the non-profit Hawaii Ecotourism Association (HEA), she assists tour operators across the state to positively influence our local environment and community.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the class is watching guides who have been leading tours for 30+ years walk away with new techniques and approaches to their craft. After the class they look at their job differently and are better equipped to inspire their audiences to appreciate Maui’s unique resources, history, and culture, said Blickley.

The class meets on Wednesdays from Nov. 7 to 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit SustainableMaui.org. To register, go to EdventureMaui.com.