Borrego Sprrings High School Interpretation Course Launches Fall Semester

Borrego Springs High School Interpretation Course Launches Fall Semester

Press Release: August 29, 2019: A for credit course elective sponsored by the Borrego Village Association for high school students 16 years and older leading to accreditation from the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) as Certified Interpretive Hosts and Certified Interpretive Guides was launched this week at Borrego Springs High School. The 15 students taking the interpretation course will achieve two professional level, internationally recognized, accreditations from the National Association for Interpretation as Certified Interpretive Hosts and as Certified Interpretive Guides. Students will also have access to NAI’s Career Resources service. The class will be led by a National Association for Interpretation Master Trainer supported by Borrego’s 5 Certified Interpretive Host Trainers and 2 NAI Certified Guide Trainers. The course includes a practical internship in co-operation with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Anza-Borrego Foundation, Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, Bike Borrego and California Overland Tours.

Upon completion of this course each student should be able to:

· Explain a working definition of interpretation.

· Discuss the history, principles, and philosophy of interpretation as it is practiced in natural resource settings (forests and parks), cultural settings (museums and historical sites), or a variety of other settings (e.g. grasslands, nature centers, zoos, arboretums, aquariums, classrooms, for profit and nonprofit organizations, etc.).

· Describe the basics of visitor evaluation and visitor motivation.

· Illustrate skills in oral presentation development and customer service.

· Demonstrate ability to develop interpretive themes, goals, and objectives.

· Demonstrate competency in delivering a thematic oral presentation.

· Relate knowledgably the issues of, opportunities in, and challenges facing the interpretive profession.

The Borrego Village Association began partnering with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) in May 2018 organizing Hospitality Skills Training for local residents to become NAI Certified Interpretive Hosts. The program builds the capacity of local people, enhance their ability to support the businesses that employ them, develop skill sets for local residents to be more employable, inspire young people about the opportunities in the travel and tourism trades and develop a cadre of local ambassadors to represent Borrego both in and outside of our destination

In October 2018 40 residents of our community attended a half day “Introduction to Hospitality” training program led by NAI. Courses organized in December 2018 and May 2019 resulted in 13 Borrego Springs residents achieving Interpretive Host Certification and 5 other residents becoming Certified Host Trainers.

On October 3 and 4, 2019 the Borrego Village Association is sponsoring a National Association for Interpretation – Certified Interpretive Host course for adult learners that will take place at the Steele Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. If you are interested in participating in this two-day course please contact the Borrego Village Association, Jim Dion, BorregoVillage@gmail.com

The Borrego Village Association (BVA) is a nonprofit citizen stakeholder organization, is working to create and sustain a thriving and attractive community, surrounded by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Our mission is to create and sustain a thriving and attractive community, surrounded by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where residents enjoy a quality lifestyle, prosperous businesses meet community needs, and tourism enhances the character and well-being of our village. For more information about the BVA write: BorregoVillage@gmail.com

The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, currently serving about 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and over thirty other nations. Individual members include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks. Commercial and institutional members include those who provide services to the heritage interpretation industry. For more information about NAI visit: https://www.interpnet.com/